Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and governmental advisors, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are assessing operations and deciding cancelations and postponements on a month-to-month basis as the pandemic continues to unfold.

As a follow up to the Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer announcements of March 12 and March 13, as well as the Ontario Soccer announcements of March 24 and April 7, Ontario Soccer is announcing today that all sanctioned in-person soccer events and activities for the month of June have been cancelled or postponed.

This decision will affect the start of the early portion of the 2020 Outdoor Season for Local, Regional, District, Provincial, OASL, OPDL and all other leagues across Ontario.

For those who may be concerned about registering for the abridged outdoor season, Ontario Soccer is encouraging participants to do so now, so that Districts, Leagues, Clubs and Academies can be fully prepared to kick off the Return to Play season when announced. Please contact your local Club or Academy for more information about registration.

Ontario Soccer recently announced, that should the 2020 Outdoor Season be cancelled, SportsEngine has agreed not to collect the SAAS fees applicable to the 2020 Outdoor Season.  As a result, Ontario Soccer will not collect both, Outdoor Player Registration fees or SAAS fees, if the 2020 Outdoor Season is cancelled in its entirety.

Going forward multiple scenarios are being considered which may include a modified Outdoor Season for 2020 or cancellation, if necessary. Please note that due to some municipal government restrictions, playing fields may remain closed beyond June, therefore some District Associations may have issued notices of cancellation past June. Clubs or Academies should consult with their District Association if they have any questions.

At this time, Ontario Soccer is asking organizations at all levels of membership – District, Club and Ontario Registered Academies (ORA) – to actively communicate our official information updates to the members of their soccer community by posting this information on their website, sharing it via email and using social media.

Ontario Soccer continues to receive a variety of direct inquiries from participants (and parents) requesting information. It is critical that all Soccer Clubs and ORAs keep their members informed during these challenging times.

As social or physical distancing is not a concern in an online, isolated environment, activities that can be completed online, such as Match Official Accreditation Clinics, some Coaching Courses, Outdoor 2020 participant registration or other activities that do not require public or private gathering, will continue until further notice. Ontario Soccer has previously given notice regarding insurance for online activities and organizations are reminded to review this before beginning any such activities.

If your membership has further questions, please refer them to the latest bulletin, the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members to better inform themselves. As well, please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.

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If you have any questions, please contact Patty Forbes, Director of Administration.