After re-joining the Ontario Soccer partner family as a Premier Partner and the exclusive title partner of Ontario Soccer’s Grassroots Program, Circle K, in collaboration with Ontario Soccer, successfully hosted and supported seven grassroots targeted soccer festivals across Ontario this summer. Simultaneously, fellow Premier Partner BMO also hosted six grassroots themed events across Ontario, in what has been a summer of grassroots soccer festivals in Ontario!
The festivities (for this summer at least) came to a resounding conclusion on a beautiful September Saturday afternoon at the Newmarket Soccer Centre in Newmarket, where Circle K hosted its third and final Accessible Soccer Festival. Supporting participants of varying abilities, these one-of-a-kind (FREE compliments of Circle K) festivals were designed for youth with special needs, physical disabilities or developmental disabilities.
it was a Star-Studded Event
The Newmarket Accessible Soccer Festival was a star studded event with special guests in attendance including MP Tony Bynen, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor, York Region Soccer Association Vice-President Vince Tersigni, and Ontario Soccer’s Chief Executive Officer, Johnny Misley, and Senior Director, Business, Bjorn Osieck.
Other dignitaries in attendance from the Newmarket Soccer Club included: James Sewell, Kevin Small, Ingrid Venturini, Pouya Karami, Christina Pereira, Kamran Tavalla, Kevin Johnson and members of the 2009 girls team. In all, roughly 60 people attended the event which was supported by North Toronto Soccer Club, Pickering Football Club and Woodstock Football Club, who provided Coaches to assist – as well as, GTA Sports Photography, John’s No Frills Newmarket and York United who donated a number of tickets to be given away at the event.
2v2 Festivals are back!
In addition to the three All Abilities Festivals, Circle K also hosted five 2v2 Festivals, which staged a triumphant comeback in 2024 following enormous success in 2019. These events leverage the innovative small-sided 2v2 game format to maximize fun, excitement and touches on the ball over a one-hour period on a specially modified soccer field.
Planning is currently underway to host similar events in Partnership with Circle K next summer. Follow Ontario Soccer’s digital channels to stay up-to-date on all the latest announcements.
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