The Nominations Committee is seeking qualified candidates who are able to contribute to Ontario Soccer that reflects the values of inclusiveness, respect, integrity, high ethical standards, community building and a focus on what’s best for the athletes. 

The following positions are up for election in 2020: Vice-President, Regional Director – West, Independent Director and Designated Director. 

Click here for more information on Expressions of Interests. 

To further support Ontario Soccer’s membership during this challenging time, Ontario Soccer are sharing two resource documents to help guide your soccer organization’s decision making from a Financial and Leadership Management perspective. 

The first is a summary of the Federal Economic Response Plan and the second offers guidance for managing your organization, employees and business through an unsettled time. 

Click here to read more. 

2020 Ontario Cup Registration Deadline has been extended

The Ontario Cup Entry Deadline, which was April 1, 2020, has been extended to April 22, 2020. 

The Ontario Cup entry fee deadline has also been extended to May 11, 2020. 

Please note that should the 2020 Ontario Cup not be played, all teams that have entered will receive a full refund. 

Click here for more information on how to register. 

All scheduled events and activities for month of April have been cancelled

As a further follow up to the Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer announcements of March 12 and March 13, regarding the suspension of all sanctioned soccer events and activities, Ontario Soccer has announced that all scheduled events and activities for the month of April have been cancelled. 

Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer, have been monitoring the most recent developments with COVID-19 and the emerging public health crisis and are currently assessing operations and deciding cancellations on a month-to-month basis as the pandemic continues to unfold. 

Click here for more information. 

Upcoming Webinar – Financial Support for Sports Organizations

Sports organizations across Canada are grappling with funding and employment issues in the wake of COVID-19. 

To learn more about financial support and assistance to sports organizations from the federal and provincial governments, join Anne Merklinger, Own the Podium CEO and lawyers from Gowling WLG to discuss shot and long term financial programs and supports that will enable sport organizations to navigate through challenging times.

The webinar takes place April 3 at Noon. 

Click here for more information on how to register. 

WATCH – Willie McNab’s on-field session at Ontario Soccer Summit

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Today, we are sharing Willie McNab’s engaging on-field session giving attendees a look at the ‘Celtic Way.’ 

Click here to watch this session. 

Canada Soccer Nation Inside launches to connect community

Canada Soccer has launched the Canada Soccer Nation Inside platform to unite players, coaches, referees, volunteers and fans who are doing their part to stay inside and off the pitch. The platform will provide unique online content as well as support public health authority messaging. 

Online education will kick off this week with the Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team head coach and Men’s EXCEL Program Director John Herdman and his staff delivering the Men’s EXCEL 101 webinar. 

Click here for more information on the platform and how to watch the webinar. 

Grassroots Spotlight Series – Top Tips From Staff

Ontario Soccer is debuting a weekly Grassroots Spotlight Series that will help you optimize this period, so you are ready for when soccer returns. 

Over a number of weekly editions, the series will provide best practices, strategies and tips from Ontario Soccer’s leaders and spotlight the innovative, outside the box work of member organizations to help you better engage your members. 

Click here to read this week’s edition with tips from Ontario Soccer’s leaders to stay mentally and physically sharp during this period.

Bored at home? Take these online coaching courses 

Not sure what to do with yourself during the COVID-19 shutdown? Why not continue your coaching education during the break so that you can come back sharp? 

Ontario Soccer has compiled a list of online coaching courses which can be taken at your pace and from home. 

Click here for the list of Online Coaching Courses

Update on delivery of Match Official Accreditation Clinics

The Ontario Soccer Match Officials Development Program team has been working diligently towards a solution that will benefit all Clinic Hosts and Participants for the 2020 Clinic season, given the current COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting the province and country. 

As such, all accreditation is moving to an online delivery method. Material for the online delivery is currently in development and work will continue the next few weeks to establish the most effective and efficient process. 

Click here for more information.

WATCH – Dr. Nick Bontis’ session from Ontario Soccer Summit 

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Today, hear from Dr. Nick Bontis, the Vice-President of Canada Soccer, on how he sees the game moving forward in Canada, what we can do better at a grassroots level and how to deal with information bombardment in the digital age. 

Click here to watch the Dr. Nick Bontis session from Ontario Soccer Summit.

WATCH – The Road to 2026 panel discussion

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Hear from some of the sport’s biggest leaders in Canada on where the game is going, what we can do on the Road to 2026 and the impact hosting a World Cup will have on Canada.

Click here to watch.

WATCH – Dr. Norm O’Reilly’s keynote speech on sport data 

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Dive into Dr. Norm O’Reilly’s keynote speech where he looks at the sport trends of today and tomorrow and goes deep on data and who is moving the needle in sports. 

Click here to watch Dr. Norm O’Reilly’s keynote speech.

WATCH – Kelly Murumets keynote on the female leaders in sport

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer will be releasing videos from select keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions over the coming weeks. 

Plunge back into the keynote speech of Kelly Murumets, the former CEO of Tennis Canada and CEO and ParticipACTION spoke about her high-level career in sport as a female leader and a variety of wise tidbits to take back to their communities. 

Click here to watch Kelly Murumets Ontario Soccer Summit keynote speech.

Updates of COVID-19 Impacted Activities and FAQ #2

Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer, continues to monitor the most recent developments with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the emerging public health crisis. 

Ontario Soccer has received additional questions from the membership since the first COVID-19 FAQ. 

In this update: 

– Outdoor Season
– Online Programming
– Provincial Indoor Soccer League and much more

Click here to read the latest on COVID-19 Impacted Activities and the FAQ#2

Player Development Program Updates for OPDL and OASL

In light of recent developments with COVID-19, Ontario Soccer has made the decision, in consultation with the OPDL License Holders, to postpone the start of the OPDL season, which was scheduled to start April 24. 

Further, Ontario Soccer has also made the decision, in consultation with the OASL League Management, to postpone the start of the OASL SAAC Heritage Division, which was scheduled to start April 24 as well. 

Click here for more information on this decision.

Player Registration Deadline extended for Youth Provincial / Regional Divisions

Ontario Soccer, in consultation with the membership, have decided to extend the minimum player registration deadline from April 15 deadline to April 30. 

Ontario Soccer hopes this will alleviate the pressure on administrators at this time. 

Click here for more information.

The Play Inspire Unite Podcast – Featuring: Johnny Misley and Peter Augruso

The Play Inspire Unite Podcast is an interview series that features conversations with influential people from within Ontario Soccer and the Ontario Soccer membership.

Discussing issues which impact the province, it’s designed to highlight the work of those who are showing us to Play, Inspire and Unite others in our community.

This week we are joined by Johnny Misley, Ontario Soccer Chief Executive Officer and Peter Augruso, Ontario Soccer President and Chair of the Board of Directors, for a special State of the Union podcast where they cover important initiatives in 2020, Ontario Soccer’s Road to 2026, challenges in the Northern Districts, futsal and lots more.Click here to watch the full podcast.

WATCH – Ontario Soccer Strategic Plan: Reflections and Ambitions

Ontario Soccer announced its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan early in 2019. 

At the Ontario Soccer Summit, delegates got a first look back on the recent successes at Ontario Soccer and a deeper dive into the areas Ontario Soccer will target over the next three years. 

Click here to watch the Ontario Soccer Strategic Plan: Reflections and Ambitions.

Rowan’s Law Mandatory Implementation

The Province of Ontario, at the present time, is the only province in Canada to enact Concussion Safety legislation throughout its sport system. 

‘Rowan’s Law’ received Royal Assent on March 7, 2018, and Section 5 of the Act, proclaiming a ‘Rowan’s Law Day’ was the only section that came into effect at that time. 

However, in 2019, the remaining parts of the Act and the regulation have now come into effect in phases. 

Click here to read more about Rowan’s Law and your organization’s responsibility from it.

Ontario Soccer has added an additional page to its website where regular updates and changes to OSCAR can be found for those who are active in using the registration platform on a more consistent basis. 

Recently, there have been updates, support insights, tip of the week and spotlight on an Ontario club.  

Click here to read more about OSCAR and how to find updates.