Ontario Soccer and BMO are excited to be part of a welcoming and inclusive new program, and are looking forward to fostering many positive outcomes for the participants. These outcomes include an active lifestyle choice for girls and women, certified youth women leaders and coaches at the club and community level, a shift in mentality around what opportunities are available, and most importantly, inspired girls and women.

BMO Girls Play ON! is an innovative new girls’ soccer program and leadership day, engaging girls through coaching and playing opportunities. The program will create a safe and inclusive environment, where girls can enjoy a social setting, play the game they love, learn about coaching, and mentor/mentee with women coaches and facilitators.

The program will serve two distinct age categories: The Coaching Stream will feature young women aged U16-U17 (2007 and 2006) interested in learning how to coach. The Playing Stream will be open to participants aged U7 and U8 (2016, 2015) that want to play soccer in a 3v3 festival environment.

This groundbreaking series of coaching clinics and grassroots festivals will be held as one-day events throughout the outdoor season in five locations across Ontario:

• Sunday, July 23, 2023 - St. Andrews College, Aurora (co-hosted by Newmarket Soccer Club)
• Saturday, July 29, 2023 - Citywide Field, London (co-hosted by Whitecaps London)
• Sunday, July 30, 2023 - The Ontario Soccer Centre Stadium Field, in Vaughan
• Saturday, August 19, 2023 - Niagara Falls Soccer Club Home Field
• Sunday, August 20, 2023 - Invista Centre, Kingston (co-hosted by Kingston United Soccer Club)

Program Details – Coaching Stream (Morning)
The Coaching Clinic will take place on-field as a practical session in the morning from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. As part of the certification, participants will be required to take a one-hour online module ahead of the on-field practical component. After the conclusion of the course and the completion of other requisite coaching courses, all coaching clinic participants will be certified in the U6-U8 girls category – FUNdamentals.  At 1:00 p.m., newly trained coaches will work on the field with the grassroots girls at the 3v3 BMO FunFest (afternoon portion) while being mentored and supervised by the Coaching Course Facilitator.

Program Details - Playing Stream (Afternoon)
BMO Girls Play ON! 3v3 FunFest will begin at 1:00 p.m. with each team of 3-4 players being supported by a newly certified coach. Players will engage in group icebreakers, receive a fun swag bag, and take part in a festival style soccer FunFest.

Registration
The cost for attending this one-of-a-kind event is FREE, compliments of our friends at BMO – see our web article to understand more about how BMO is driving change in soccer and gender equity. Registration is open to all members of the general public (Canadian residents only), as well as Ontario Soccer Members within the applicable age categories. Click here to access the online registration form.

For more details regarding this event series, visit ontariosoccer.net/BMOGirlsPlayON and/or contact BMOGirlsPlayON@OntarioSoccer.net.