The Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association (EMSA) is pleased to see the return of soccer to a more normal situation in 2022. EMSA would like to inform parents of some of the changes that they may see as the 2022 outdoor season gets underway …
The pandemic has brought more people living in our District, and as a result, our registrations are growing. We welcome all of the new members to our District and look forward to serving them for many years to come! Parents who have struggled with the COVID-19 situation over the past two years and have not had the opportunity to witness their children play an entire season will now have the opportunity to attend all of their children’s soccer events as we plan for a full outdoor season.
The Youth member clubs of EMSA will also see some changes beginning in the 2022 outdoor season. By now, they have become aware that they will be required to achieve the Canada Soccer Licensing level of quality soccer provider for the 2023 outdoor season. The application window for this license opened in early 2022 and will continue throughout the year. Youth clubs wishing to be a member of EMSA in 2023 will also need to provide proof of incorporation as either a for-profit or not-for-profit corporation.
Ontario soccer has embarked on a process to examine the governance model of soccer province-wide and has released a new strategic plan indicating a desire to move to a regional model of governance by 2025. EMSA is working with Ontario Soccer to better understand the impact this change may have on our District.
At the local level, we have seen much success at the Ontario Cup level in 2021 by a number of our local clubs. Congratulations on achieving this great milestone! We would also like to acknowledge the achievements of the EMSA Referees Association in placing several of its members at the highest levels of finals play in the province in 2021. A special congratulations to Traci Cummings, winner of the 2021 Carol Anne Chenard Award from Ontario Soccer for her outstanding contribution to the District over a number of years.
EMSA will continue to engage its members in assisting to develop policies and procedures that improve the soccer experience for all members of the District.
We wish everyone much success in the upcoming 2022 season.
By John Laverty, EMSA President
