skip navigation

Ontario Soccer - Centre Circle Award Winners Honoured In-person at Prestigious Event for First Time Since the Beginning of the Global Pandemic

By Staff, 09/24/22, 8:00PM EDT

Share

The Centre Circle Awards, presented by Nothers – The Award Store, recognized many deserving recipients including two female Life Members

Play. Inspire. Unite.

The Centre Circle Awards are Ontario Soccer’s highest level of recognition and are presented annually to deserving soccer leaders and organizations nominated on the basis of their outstanding contributions to the development of soccer in Ontario and Canada.

This year’s event, which took place at the at a Luncheon at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel and Suites as part of the 2022 Ontario Soccer Annual Members Meeting (AMM), was particularly special as it marked the first instance in three years for Ontario’s soccer leaders to be able to gather in the same room, after having been held virtually for the past two years.

“This year’s event marked a significant moment in the history of Ontario Soccer,” said Johnny Misley, Ontario Soccer’s Chief Executive Officer. “The 2022 Center Circle Awards and AMM symbolize the resilience of our soccer community that pulled together over the past few years to overcome the historic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Clubs, Coaches, Match Officials, Administrators and Community Leaders all had a moment to shine in the spotlight of the Centre Circle.

For the first time in the history of the organization, two long-serving and highly accomplished female soccer leaders, Ms. Joyce Steward and Ms. Sandy Arrowsmith, were awarded the Life Membership Award at the same time. The award recognizes individuals who have exemplified the values of Ontario Soccer and who have rendered special commitment and significant overall contribution to the game of soccer in Ontario to an extent beyond normal service and tenure.

“It was a big surprise to me,” said Ms. Arrowsmith. “I never imagined I would be in a position to receive this award – you just work away and do what you love to do.”

“To be a women, along with Joyce, it’s such a milestone,” added Ms. Arrowsmith. “I do remember the day’s when It was all white men, and those days are thankfully behind us now - there’s so many women involved, powerful women that bring new mindsets and ideas that are taking our game into the future.”

In total, 16 individuals and organizations were recognized in 2022 for their life-long commitment to sport in Ontario.

The 2022 recipients are:

President’s Award

Matthew Greenwood

Pickering FC

Club Recognition Award           

Superstar Women Over Thirty

DRSA

Coaches High Performance Award          

Tommaso Bianchi

Markham SC

Coaches Development Award

Boris Bajagic

EODSA

Coaches Soccer 4 Life Award

Brian Ashton

SRSA

Life Membership Award

Sandy Arrowsmith

DRSA

Life Membership Award

Joyce Stewart

EMSA

Match Officials Carol Anne Chénard Award

Nicole Pagliaro

HDSA

Match Officials - High Performance Award

Melissa Snedden

Oakville SC

Match Officials  Mike Bremer Award

Ron Sutherland

NSA

Meritorious Award

Ernie Henderson

YRSA

Meritorious Award

Adina Stiers-Hill

DRSA

MilkUP Future Leaders Award

Selena Zhang

N.York Cosmos SC

MilkUP Future Leaders Award

Kyra Herd

N.York Cosmos SC

MilkUP Future Leaders Award

Paige Robert

Ottawa TFC

MilkUP Future Leaders Award

Emma Prange

Opeongo SC

 

For a detailed description of each Award and its selection criteria, please click here.