Ontario Soccer made waves at the 2024 Futsal Canadian Championship, held at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex in Calgary, AB from April 11-14. The province not only showcased its exceptional talent on the pitch with 9 de Octubre and Caboto Soccer competing in the national tournament - Ontario also demonstrated its officiating prowess with the presence of referee Nick Vagenas.

In the realm of competition, reigning 2024 Ontario Futsal Cup champions Caboto Soccer finished in fourth place of the Women’s division at the 2024 Futsal Canadian Championship after a narrow 2-0 loss to Atlético Montréal in the bronze medal match.

On the Men’s side, 9 de Octubre took the gold with a 5-3 win over Sporting Montréal FC in the 2024 Ontario Futsal Cup Final, making 9 de Octubre back-to-back national champions! Coincidentally, the matchup was a perfect repeat of the 2023 gold medal match where 9 de Octubre secured a 5-3 win over Sporting Montréal FC.

Nick Vagenas was invited to officiate the 2024 Futsal Canadian Championship, marking a major milestone in his refereeing career. For Vagenas, the tournament served as a stepping stone towards his ultimate goal of officiating at the highest levels of futsal.

“The 2024 Futsal Canadian Championship was an amazing experience to be a part of!  Getting to work with referees from all over Canada was a nice experience as we were always learning from one another, whether it was about the teams, the laws of the game or different experiences within futsal,” Vagenas said.

Vagenas had the opportunity to officiate the Men’s gold medal game.

“There were many highlights from the tournament, the one that was my biggest highlight was hearing my name being called for the men’s championship match. It was an honor to be appointed to such a prestigious match, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of my colleagues and Referee Coach David Figliano.”

Congratulations to all of the Ontario players, Coaches and team staff from Caboto Soccer and 9 de Octubre on their incredible performances at nationals, and to Match Official Nick Vagenas on this remarkable career achievement. Your dedication and passion for the game of futsal has paid off!

Ontario Soccer continues to prioritize the growth of futsal, and the achievements of these teams and individuals serve as inspiration for future generations of players and officials alike. Whether you’re a player, Coach, or Match Official, participating in futsal can help you improve countless aspects of your game – awareness, decision-making, quickness, and so much more.

“Futsal is a much faster game than soccer, which requires me to make decisions a lot quicker,” Vagenas says of his experience transitioning from Futsal to outdoor soccer. “This works hand in hand with the outdoor game as I’m able to incorporate things I do in futsal to soccer.”

For those inspired by the success of Ontario's match officials like Nick Vagenas and eager to embark on their own officiating journey, Ontario Soccer offers several courses designed to develop both new and experienced referees. These courses provide comprehensive training and support for individuals looking to officiate in both traditional soccer and futsal.

Click here to learn more about becoming a futsal referee.

To see all of Ontario Soccer’s Match Official course offerings, click here.