9.6.22

"Old boys in the boardroom"

 
Up until very recently, all soccer organizations from the local, regional, provincial and national levels had "association" (Canadian Soccer Association, Ontario Soccer Association, etc.) in their names; and most still do. Also, there is a reason why in academic circles, there is a strong emphasis in differentiating between "associations" and "unions". Though similar in advocating for their members; one has a strong labor involvement, the other professional development. There is nothing wrong with either (to a lesser or greater personal opinion); nor with the intent of the people who manage or work in those circles.

However, to describe any of the tenets of an association as mobile, flexible, risk taking, non-bureaucratic, pragmatic, practical, tactical or entrepreneurial in their: policies, procedures, rules, by-laws, regulations, constitutions, etc. - you cannot.  It will take years (if not decades) to change that, even if the vision to do so exists. It is just the nature of "the culture".

I won't pretend to be an expert at the national level, but the recent national Canadian Women's & Men's national team negotiations with Canada Soccer, and the cancellation of games (with Iran & Panama) is just an example of such lack of experience, playing out in front of our eyes:

"
Perhaps the old boys in the boardroom are not what's needed for elite teams that have brought Canadian soccer to the world's stage in an unprecedented manner."

This is a local blog; if the top is to change and be ready for life changing ("unprecedented") events, you need to start at the bottom. Liberalize a lot of the work needed to run a club, do not try to "sanction" pick-up (recreational) soccer (for God's sake less discipline fees!), and concentrate on the truly competitive & professional side of it.

10 comments:

  1. Up until very recently, all soccer organizations from the local, regional, provincial and national levels had "association" (Canadian Soccer Association, Ontario Soccer Association, etc.) in their names; and most still do. Also, there is a reason why in academic circles, there is a strong emphasis in differentiating between "associations" and "unions". Though similar in advocating for their members; one has a strong labor involvement, the other professional development. There is nothing wrong with either (to a lesser or greater personal opinion); nor with the intent of the people who manage or work in those circles.

    However, to describe them as mobile, flexible, risk taking, non-bureaucratic, pragmatic, practical, tactical or entrepreneurial in their: policies, procedures, rules, by-laws, regulations, constitutions, etc. - you cannot. It will take years (if not decades) to change that, even if the vision exists. It is just the nature of "the culture".

    I won't pretend to be an expert at the national level, but the recent national Canadian Women's & Men's national team negotiations with Canada Soccer, and the cancellation of games (with Iran & Panama) is just an example playing out in front of our eyes:

    "Perhaps the old boys in the boardroom are not what's needed for elite teams that have brought Canadian soccer to the world's stage in an unprecedented manner." (https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-soccer-red-flags-leadership-shireen-ahmed-1.6479322)

    This is a local blog; if the top is to change and be ready for life changing events, you need to start at the bottom. Liberalize a lot of the work needed to run a club, do not try to "sanction" pick-up soccer (for the God's sake less discipline fees!), and concentrate on the truly competitive & professional side of it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous21/6/22

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/689058777842645/permalink/5169721819776296/
    Soccer Community in Ottawa/Gatineau - Juan JP Granados
    Hey! Does anyone want to join our pickup soccer group? We are a friendly international group open to everyone ⚽️😀 Indoor 7v7 and outdoo 8v8 games every week in Ottawa! Tag anyone (see FB link above) you think would be interested and PM me for more details!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7/7/22

    OCSL seems to be allowing teams to bend the rules this year. One MC1 team has players registered who are also registered in the ERSL and in PLSQ. Another MC1 team's leading scorer isn't even registered with them and has played far more games than are allowed under an STRP or a TEP. A couple of clubs had teams drop out part way through the season, and I'd be willing to bet there won't be any real consequences to them other than a small fine. Seems a little concerning that the league feels it needs to bend on things like this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7/7/22

      I'm finding lots of teams simply not entering results for several days or even longer in some cases, which is pretty annoying for the other teams. A few are repeat offenders, but the consequences obviously aren't enough of a stick to get them to comply.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous7/7/22

    MC3 and MC1 teams beating MP teams……

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous15/7/22

    Ha! I am not the only one who'se been saying it!: ..."and co. flashed a big middle finger at the players calling for accountability, transparency, modernity."

    Toronto Star: Canada Soccer gave its players the middle finger with Earl Cochrane move. Now they’re really fighting back.
    https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/opinion/2022/07/14/canada-soccer-gave-its-players-the-middle-finger-with-earl-cochrane-move-now-theyre-really-fighting-back.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous17/7/22

    https://www.tsn.ca/world-cup-bonus-fight-exposes-battles-over-canada-soccer-transparency-governance-1.1824428

    Don't forget, these guys didn't just appeared at the top helm of national soccer from nothing. That culture/practice of making [fishy/questionable/non-transparent] deals, they learned & approved in their local, regional, & provincial stints/circles. It's a mix of soviet style incompentency and mafia racketeering in local "sanctioned" soccer [watch carefully the wording, and consider why it would even need a distinction made on their own official documents]. IMHO they do not know how to cooperate/get a handle on the business side of "unsanctioned"/for-profit local soccer. Hence the amateur business at the national level.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous3/8/22

    "Bayern Munich and Canada defender Alphonso Davies has said he will donate his 2022 World Cup earnings to charity." Now that is class! Unlike the associations. Food for thought 🤔 - https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/canadas-davies-donate-world-cup-earnings-charity-2022-08-02/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous24/9/22

    One of the most sub par performances so far for the Ottawa OPDL teams this season. Might be time to re-assess.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous24/9/22

    It was mixed. OSU 2008 did very well. Others were so-so. It’s a tough league.

    ReplyDelete

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