Ontario Soccer continues to work in consultation with the Government of Ontario and Canada Soccer 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.

The Government of Ontario announced on July 9, 2021 it is moving the province to Step 3 of their Roadmap to Re-Open, beginning on July 16, 2021.

Ontario Soccer has reviewed the new regulations with the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and we have confirmed the sport specific interpretation for Return to Play in Step 3. 

In addition to updates for outdoor team sports and spectators, Ontario Soccer has updated the Return to Play Guide to include activities permitted for indoor team sports and competition.

In preparation for this opening date for our sport, Ontario Soccer registered member organizations are required to complete these critical sport specific steps and directives from Ontario Soccer.

1. REGISTRATION - All affiliated Clubs and Academies must register their participants in OSCAR – the official participant registry of Ontario Soccer.
2. All affiliated Clubs and Academies must read and understand Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Guide (the plan) – Protocols and Recommendations document.
3. All affiliated Clubs and Academies must prepare their own Return to Play Plans for use within their membership. Leagues should adopt similar practices. Use of Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Guide (the plan) is strongly recommended.
4. All affiliated Clubs and Academies must complete Canada Soccer’s Risk Assessment Tool. Please do not complete this tool until you have completed step 1, 2 and 3 above. Access by each Club and Academy must be done so by one single source. Do not forward or share the on-line link tool with others.

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To access Canada Soccer’s Online Risk Assessment Tool click HERE.(once completed you will receive an automated message assessing your submission)

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Last year, Ontario Soccer lobbied for and secured the Supporting Ontario Recovery Act and COVID-19 Liability Protection for its members, which ensures, that if they follow all protocols, staff, volunteers and organizations are protected when legal action arises as a result of the public health situation.

However, this protection is only available to registered members and their participants registered in OSCAR with Ontario Soccer. Failure to register participants will result in registered member organizations being exposed to liability risk and lack of protection.

The Ontario Soccer Return to Play Guide/Plan has been updated to reflect the Government of Ontario’s Step 3 of the three-stage framework.

Step 3: Continuation of Outdoor Competition and Introduction of Indoor Competition

Date: July 16, 2021

Restrictions: Capacity limits for Indoor Facilities, capacity limits for outdoor facilities and spectators – see the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Guide for more details

The step outlined above applies equally to all recreational, competitive and high performance level soccer.

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Ontario Soccer member organizations have previously received pertinent resources, marketing collateral and related information for your use as part of your own Return to Play, Pitch In. Play ON! marketing launch activations.

Please review and consider using the resources provided as we Pitch In and Play ON! this summer