The Ontario Soccer Association is pleased to announce that two Provincial Match Officials have been selected to attend the Canada Soccer U-18 Club National Championships.
Sean Hornsby and Pierre Acouri, both from the Ottawa area (EODSA), were members of the OSA Advanced Referee Training Program (ART) and are regulars in League1 Ontario, OSL, OUA and OCAA. They have also officiated at the USL level with TFC II. Hornsby is nominated as an Assistant Referee, and Acouri as a Referee.
"In this moment, I couldn't help but reflect on the hard work it took to get here, the obstacles that I have overcome along the way, the sacrifices I have made, and the great moments I have experienced," Acouri said when he found out about his nomination.
A selection to the U-18 Club National Championships is the third step in the process which could lead to being placed on the 2016 Canada Soccer National list of Match Officials.
To get to this stage, match officials have to first be nominated from the province, pass a fitness test at the National level, at which point they may be shortlisted for review by the Canada Soccer Referee Committee for selection to the U-18 Championships.
"The ART Program has been crucial in providing me the opportunity to benefit from technical education sessions along with practical on-field training and mentorship from national instructors and assessors." Hornsby remarked.
Acouri, also discussed the importance of the ART program.
"(It) has had a significant impact on the official I have become. With the training I have received and adopted, it built a solid foundation towards the success I have achieved. "
The Canada Soccer U-18 Club National Championships will take place on October 7-12, 2015 in Charlottetown, PEI. The OSA Match Officials Department and Referee Development Committee wish both of these candidates the best of luck in PEI.
For more information on the CSA U-18 Club National Championships, click here.
To learn more about Match Official Programs, and the Advanced Referee Training Program, click here.