Play. Inspire. Unite.
Co-hosted with Cambridge Youth Soccer Club, the first BMO Women’s Leadership Day of 2025, brought together 13 Match Officials for a day of learning, collaboration and practical training. This initiative, led by esteemed instructors Nava Rajabi, Shashti Maharaj, and Marlene Ford, is part of Ontario Soccer’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for female Match Officials.
“The goal for a training, whether it's practical or in class, is for them to just take away one piece of advice. Whether it's something on field or off the field, I think if that's something, that they take note of and apply to their game,” shared Nava Rajabi, Provincial Referee, Southwest Soccer , who recently completed the Canada Soccer instructor course.
Participants engaged in classroom sessions on leadership, decision-making, and resilience before transitioning to field training, where they practiced match scenarios in real time.
For Joanna Florczyk, a Cambridge United player, the day was transformative. “I was inspired to become a Match Official because I wanted to understand and respect referees more during my own games,” she shared. Reflecting on the event, she added, “My favorite part was learning all the little things that improve how I officiate.”
Like Joanna shared, the goal of BMO Women’s Leadership Day is to inspire Match Officials to grow both on and off the field. These experiences not only build confidence and skills but also emphasize the importance of representation and support for women in officiating.
Sinéad Kappel, Coordinator, Match Official Development at Ontario Soccer echoed the importance of investing in the growth of female referees:
It’s important for us to recruit female Match Officials because there aren't enough of us. And especially with the game expanding, we want to continue to promote female referees because we are athletes just as much as the soccer players.
This year’s BMO Women’s Leadership Day also marked the first of Ontario Soccer’s female-focused events sponsored by BMO. Through their support attendees were provided with valuable resources and referee swag to enhance their journey. A special thank you to Cambridge Youth Soccer Club and Club Head Referee, Nadia Shenurina, for hosting the event and providing excellent facilities.
In Aurora, Ontario Soccer hosted its first-ever Futsal Development Day, a pioneering initiative designed specifically for futsal officials. The event, put on by Circle K, welcomed 15 Match Officials, including both experienced futsal referees and recent graduates of the futsal clinic process.
Led by instructor David Figliano, participants explored the unique aspects of officiating futsal matches, focusing on teamwork, game-specific strategies and practical skills essential for the sport's fast-paced nature.
The day’s interactive components included live simulations and role-playing exercises that emphasized positioning, mechanics and decision-making in dynamic scenarios.
Figliano explains the significance of this event:
This event stood out due to it being the first of its kind and its exclusive focus on Futsal, distinguishing it from general referee training sessions that historically have been only soccer related. It concentrated entirely on the unique laws, tactics, and dynamics of futsal, offering an in-depth, specialized approach,
He continued to stress that Ontario Soccer’s commitment to Futsal aligns with its broader strategy to grow the sport as part of its Strategic Plan. Events like this not only equip referees with the skills to succeed but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of futsal across Ontario.
Ontario Soccer thanks Circle K for their ongoing support of referee development programs across the province. Their contributions ensure that initiatives like Futsal Development Day can provide meaningful opportunities for officials to enhance their skills.
Both BMO Women’s Leadership Day and Futsal Development Day exemplify Ontario Soccer’s dedication to supporting Match Officials through education, mentorship and collaboration.
Congratulations to all Match Officials and instructors who participated, and thank you to our sponsors and hosts for making these events possible. Together, we continue to foster excellence and innovation in soccer officiating across Ontario.
If you are interested in attending a future Leadership or Development Day, be sure to follow up with your Club or District to see how you can get involved. Check out our Match Officials page if you would like to learn more about officiating in Ontario – ontariosoccer.net/match-officials
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