The U-15 OPDL Cup will take place as part of the Ontario Summer Games from Aug. 2-5 in London, On. 

As the athletes prepare for their competition, which serves as the initial assessment platform for future athletes in the Canada Games and the Olympic Games, it's important to remember that another type of athlete is getting ready as well. 

For Ontario's match officials, the Ontario Summer Games represents another platform for them to hone their skills, learn from other officials and receive exposure to higher levels of competition. 

Joey Filipic, a match official at the 2014 Ontario Summer Games and Match Official Liaison for the 2018 Ontario Summer Games, credits his experience at the competition as the reason for his own success. 

"I am very excited to be helping out with the Ontario Summer Games this year. Having been a part of them four years ago in Windsor, Ontario, I can truly say that this event is so important to the development of young, up-and-coming match officials," said Filipic. 

For him, he credits as an instrumental moment in his officiating career.

"Ontario Summer Games gave me the exposure to higher levels of competition, enabled me to connect with the proper people who have guided me in my referee development, and allowed me to meet new friends, some of which I am still very close to today," said Filipic. 

As a match official liaison, he will working the Games in a different capacity this time around. 

"I am truly looking forward to being able to give back to such a wonderful event." 

Click here to learn more about match official development.