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Response to Ontario Soccer’s Call to Action from Chief Medical Officer

By Staff, 03/29/21, 9:00AM EDT

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The initial response from our membership, media and politicians has been fantastic.

Play. Inspire. Unite. 

Ontario Soccer continues to work in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, as we prepare for Return to Play 2021. Ontario Soccer will keep the membership updated with the most recent developments surrounding Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan.

On March 25, Ontario Soccer issued a letter to Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, detailing how Soccer in Ontario is a vital platform for restoring Ontario’s health and tabling specific requests to help our sport safely recover and service our youth this year.

The initial response from our membership, media and politicians has been fantastic.

The Toronto SUN ran a two page spread in their newspaper detailing Ontario Soccer’s call to action.

The Mike Stafford Show, on AM 640 Radio, followed up by speaking with Ontario Soccer during primetime morning commute to discuss our letter to Dr. Williams and how soccer is positioned to Return to Play this summer.

Alex Pierson, with ON Point and Global New Radio, spoke further about why there is no scientific justification for shutting down outdoor sports.

The Toronto Star penned an opinion piece discussing the consequences of further keeping youth amateur sport shutdown. 

The Provincial Health Table (led by Dr. Williams), when asked by the media, directly responded to Ontario Soccer’s letter, stating, “Outdoor Team Sports are under review and more will be forthcoming soon.”

As well, Roman Baber, MPP for York Centre, addressed the Ontario Parliament, calling for an end on the prohibition on sports.

Momentum is continuing to build for a Return to Play but the work is not done yet and Ontario Soccer is again requesting your help to get the message out.

We are encouraging our membership to respectfully contact their local MPs, MPPs, Municipal Authorities and Public Health Units to share this news and lobby them to make change at the grassroots level. 

The letter to Dr. Williams, which can be found here, can be replicated and used for your own local efforts. It details why soccer is well positioned for a safe Return to Play this summer and how our communities can be leaders in a holistic solution to dealing with the damaging effects Covid-19 has had on Ontario.

Ontario Soccer will continue fighting for our membership at the provincial level. We ask that you join us in doing the same in your communities. Together we can ensure that our sport will safely Return to Play this summer.

How do I stay connected to Ontario Soccer?

For further information please refer to the latest bulletins on the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members. Please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.

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