Congratulations to the outstanding Match Officials appointed to the Canada Soccer Toyota U15 Nationals Tournament held in Quinte West from October 9th-14th. The tournament saw 55 matches take place over 6 days, including the highly anticipated bronze and gold medal games on the final day. 

40 dedicated Match Officials represented 10 Districts. Below is a list of the Match Officials and their respective Districts who contributed to the success of this tournament:

These Ontario Soccer Match Officials had the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with Canada Soccer Assessors, work alongside Match Officials from other provinces, and experience officiating in a new environment. Their exceptional skill and dedication were on full display throughout the Canada Soccer Toyota U15 Nationals Tournament. The event provided a valuable chance for them to engage with their assigned crews, learn from one another, and further develop their officiating skills in a highly competitive setting.

A special thank you to our Southeastern Ontario Soccer Association Mentors, Kevin McEleney and Alex Fletcher, and our National Assessors, Gord Arrowsmith and Steve Cahoon, who were available at the tournament to provide guidance and support to the Match Officials. We also extend our gratitude to Canada Soccer, the Supervisor of Officials, Joe Audi, and the city of Quinte West for hosting the event and creating an environment conducive to the growth and development of these Match Officials. 

Senior Club Championships and U17 Toyota Nationals Appointments

In the same timeframe as the Canada Soccer Toyota U15 Nationals Tournament, we also want to highlight other significant appointments of Ontario Soccer Match Officials: 

Nava Rajabi and Vasyl Dzikh had the honour of attending the Senior Club Championships in Surrey, BC. Both had the special honour of receiving a brozne medal game appointment. Vasyl was an Assistant Referee on the men’s bronze medal game and Nava was appointed the referee for the women’s bronze medal match between Surrey FC and Holy Cross FC. "My experience as a referee at the 2024 Senior Nationals held in BC was incredibly rewarding and positive. Being part of such a prestigious event allowed me to engage with talented athletes and fellow officials from across the country," Rajabi shared. 

John Oliva was appointed as an Assessor at the U17 Toyota Nationals, which took place in Sydney, NS, from October 9th-14th, providing crucial support and feedback to the Match Officials. 

The appointments provided the opportunity to gain crucial experience participating in major Canada Soccer tournaments, Rajabi adds, 

Overall, this experience not only strengthened my commitment to officiating but also motivated me to pursue further growth in this role. After several successful performances as a referee, I was privileged to be appointed as the referee for the women's bronze medal match between Surrey FC and Holy Cross FC.

Once again, congratulations to all our Match Officials for their dedication and hard work. Your commitment to excellence ensures the continued success and integrity of soccer in Ontario. We look forward to watching your growth and achievements in the years to come.