Celebrating the outstanding achievements of youth in the soccer community.  The award strives to actively acknowledge the selfless display of civic care, pride in one's sport and leadership, an attitude of resilience and strong work ethic, and constant desire for impact and improvement.

This Category recognizes youth in their graduating year of high school who have made an outstanding impact on the local soccer community as a leader, player, coach, match official or administrator.

An Education Grant is included with this award.

Criteria:

• One recipient in each of 5 regions (more than one winner per region may be awarded as determined on a case-by-case basis)
• Eligibility:
  • Must be a registered member of Ontario Soccer
  • Started in Club as Player, Coach, Match Official, Volunteer, Administrator
  • Must be graduating high school in spring or fall of the award year
  • Must plan to attend (or be enrolled in) a University, College, Technical school or recognized post-secondary institution/certificate program after graduating from high school

Considerations and Contributions:

• Nominees will exemplify the Ontario Soccer organizational values of inclusive, respectful, ethical, integrity, and community builder.
  • Inclusive – Demonstrated commitment to cross-cultural relationship building within the broader community, on his/her team, or within the soccer community
  • Respectful – Provided ongoing leadership, direction, encouragement and support of soccer for all abilities and backgrounds, within the soccer community
  • Ethical – Made a positive, valuable and considerable impact on the skill development, ability and attitude of others in soccer
  • Integrity – Acted as a role model and mentor (on or off the playing field), embodying “Play. Inspire. United.” to motivate or inspire participation in soccer
  • Community Builder – Must excel in a leadership role on a team, in a Club, as well as in school or in the community

Ontario Soccer is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment; as such, Ontario Soccer will strive to select award recipients that reflect and support the diversity of the soccer community.

Nomination:

• Can be nominated by a Member Organization or Club of Ontario Soccer, or
• A peer (age 15-18) who is not a relative of the nominee

Selection:

• Selected by a selection panel from the Ontario Soccer Board of Directors in consultation with select youth members of the Ontario Soccer community, and the MilkUP partners.

The following document provides more information and details on the MilkUP Future Leaders Program and Awards, including the MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders "Class of '23" and the MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders Day @ the Summit.