MilkUP Young Leaders in Soccer

FOUR PILLARS OF ENGAGEMENT

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is the marketing group representing Ontario dairy farmers and the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. DFO is Ontario Soccer's Premier Partner of the provincial organization, and the exclusive title partner of the prestigious Ontario Cup Provincial Championships.

Created to support the education and development of Youth leaders within Ontario Soccer, the MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders Program takes a holistic approach to leadership recognition and development, with an emphasis on growth.

The program is based on three pillars of Celebration, Recognition, and Development to support Youth leaders in Ontario. These pillars are demonstrated through the MilkUP Future Leaders "Class of" bursary, the MilkUP Ontario Cup, the MilkUP Youth Summit, and the MilkUP Future Leaders Award and Education Grant.

MilkUP Future Leaders - 'Class of '23' Bursary

The MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders “Class of ‘23” Bursary Award winners will embody the Ontario Soccer tagline of “Play. Inspire. Unite.” in both their soccer community and their home community.

The “Class of ‘23” awardees will have an attitude of resilience and a strong work ethic. They will have future aspirations of leadership within the ‘beautiful game’, continuing their journey of soccer involvement and contribution.

This category recognizes youth, who will continue to contribute to the local soccer community as a leader, player, coach, match official, or administrator.

This award includes a $500 education credit per recipient to be used for soccer leadership education (any eligible Ontario Soccer Coach Education, Match Official Development courses, etc.)

The “Class of ‘23” awardees have now been announced! Click here to see a list of the 25 outstanding recipients.

MilkUP Youth Summit at 2024 Ontario Soccer Summit

The MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders Day at the Summit will run in conjunction with the Ontario Soccer Summit. The Future Leaders Day will bring together Youth from across the province to develop in areas of leadership, interpersonal communication, relationship management, and more. This flagship event will take place Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at York University.

The MilkUP Youth Summit is open to "Class of" recipients or by invite. To be considered for this event please email Chiara Aparicio to express your interest.

MILKUP ONTARIO CUP

The MilkUP Ontario Cup, Ontario Soccer’s LTPD “Soccer for Life” Provincial Soccer Championship, is the largest Club competition of its kind in Canada.

Each year, 12,000 athletes from all across the province compete for the Championship. The competition commences in May, with more than 600 teams playing in it.

The MilkUP Ontario Cup is open to any competitively registered Club team in Ontario. Entry Forms are available online in early March and the deadline for entering is the end of March.

LEARN MORE HERE

MILKUP FUTURE LEADERS- AWARD AND EDUCATION GRANT

Celebrating the outstanding achievements of youth in the soccer community. The MilkUP Future Leaders Award and Education Grant 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.

The five youth leaders selected will be rewarded a $1,500 education grant and be recognized at that year's Centre Circle Awards.