Ontario Soccer is thrilled to kick-off the highly anticipated 2024 Ontario Soccer Summit, presented by O'Neills Sportswear and Respect in Sport. This seventh edition, co-hosted by the York Region Soccer Association, is set to unfold this weekend across the vibrant campus of York University.

With a record-breaking crowd of over 800 delegates attending, the Ontario Soccer Summit, the premier conference for soccer leaders, Coaches, Match Officials and Administrators from all corners of Ontario and beyond, will usher in a new era for the sport in Canada.

Moreover, with Ontario Soccer having attracted an unprecedented number of 20+ commercial partners to this flagship event, the heightened corporate support for soccer in Ontario and beyond in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 26™ is powerfully highlighted.

Since its inception in 2016, the Ontario Soccer Summit has been the pre-eminent forum “Where Learners Become Leaders.” The annual event has evolved into a cornerstone initiative for Ontario Soccer, fostering the exchange of knowledge, innovation, and best practices and cultivating thought-leaders and change agents within the soccer community.

Peter Augruso, Chair of Ontario Soccer's Board of Directors, expressed his enthusiasm for this years’ event, stating, "The Ontario Soccer Summit is a testament to our commitment to excellence in soccer development from the grassroots to the top of our Talented Pathway. This year's edition is bound to be exceptional, with top-notch speakers and engaging discussions that will empower our community to drive positive change within the sport."

This year's Summit will showcase three distinct keynote presentations, each centered around key themes integral to the growth and development of the sport:

• Dr. Ann Pegoraro, Director of the University of Guelph’s International Institute for Sport Business & Leadership and the Lang Chair in Sport Management, will explore the explosive growth trajectory of the Business of Soccer through a gender-equity lens.
• Nick Levett, the visionary founder and director of Rivers of Thinking Ltd. and former technical leader at the English Football Association, has been a change agent in grassroots soccer all over the world. His keynote will explore the topic of Long-Term Player Development (LTPD), examining where the journey started ten years ago and what the future of LTPD holds.
• Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt is a Full Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in School-Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention at the University of Ottawa. This distinguished researcher and provincial level soccer Coach will be presenting on the crucial ties between Mental Health and Sports and how a more supportive eco-system for all participants can be created.

Following their presentations, each speaker will facilitate a “power panel” discussion on their keynote topic, where fellow thought-leaders will reflect on the current trends and challenges across the soccer landscape. In addition, 50 classroom and on-field sessions will be offered throughout the weekend catering to various stakeholder groups within the Ontario Soccer community, including coaches and technical leaders, match officials, business professionals, and more.

Johnny Misley, CEO of Ontario Soccer, added, "the Ontario Soccer Summit has become a keystone event for our soccer community, providing a platform for meaningful discussions and learning experiences. As we embark on the seventh edition of this event, we are proud to bring together an increasingly diverse group of soccer enthusiasts to collectively contribute to the growth and success of the sport. We thank all our event partners in supporting this year’s Summit and the record number of delegates attending."

For more information and to register for the 2024 Ontario Soccer Summit, visit www.ontariosoccer.net/soccer-summit.