In mid-March, 2017, seven Ottawa clubs started an exclusive U9-U12 league (Ottawa Player Development Program - OPDP) for its best teams. Smaller clubs, including all rural clubs, were excluded even though some had teams that had been playing at the highest level, including teams with low-income players and from immigrant communities.
The league contravened Ontario Soccer rules and to avoid being disciplined, the clubs officially closed the league April 27, as announced by the local district soccer association (EODSA):
It was immediately clear, however, that the league would continue unofficially. In response to concerns, the EODSA released a May 3 letter reaffirming that the "OPDP situation has come to a conclusion" and "the OPDP would not operate" but that the participating clubs would look at "alternate competition options within the rules". The letter requested that evidence that the OPDP is operating be sent to the EODSA to "review and manage".
Ontario Soccer affirmed how the EODSA had dealt with the OPDP in a May 4 email:
However, evidence that the OPDP continues is overwhelming. There is a schedule for the entire summer (until October 1) for all 68 teams from eight clubs:
- Capital United OPDP schedule
- Cumberland Cobras OPDP schedule
- Gloucester Hornets OPDP schedule
- Nepean Hotspurs OPDP schedule
- Ottawa Internationals OPDP schedule
- Ottawa City OPDP schedule
- Ottawa South United (OSU) OPDP schedule
- West Ottawa Soccer (WOS) OPDP schedule
Clubs are advertising the league on their websites and in emails, for example:
- Gloucester Hornets OPDP description
- Ottawa Internationals OPDP description
- Ottawa City OPDP description
- Ottawa South United (OSU) OPDP description
- West Ottawa Soccer (WOS) OPDP description
Clubs cannot replace a league with a schedule of exhibition games as Ontario Soccer rules on Competitions do not allow exhibition games to follow a "set schedule of a game" (see Procedure 17 and 18).
Despite the May 3 letter from the EODSA, it is not clear that the EODSA is in a position to fairly respond to this unsanctioned competition as the majority (six) of the ten-member EODSA board are from the eight clubs participating in the OPDP:
Despite the May 3 letter from the EODSA, it is not clear that the EODSA is in a position to fairly respond to this unsanctioned competition as the majority (six) of the ten-member EODSA board are from the eight clubs participating in the OPDP:
- President Brian Mason is also the President of West Ottawa Soccer (WOS)
- Vice-President Peter Menyasz is also the Boys' Staff Coach of Ottawa Internationals
- Director of Administration Bill Michalopulos is also the President of Ottawa South United (OSU)
- Director of Development Craig Stead is also the Ottawa South United (OSU) Programs Manager
- Director at Large Bob Monaghan is the President of Ottawa Internationals
- Director at Large Piero Pavone is the Vice-President of Ottawa City
Significantly, three of the six were recently added to the Board by the existing Board to fill vacancies: Brian Mason (April 19), Bill Michalopulos (May 18), and Piero Pavone (April 19). One of the vacancies was the result of the former President being forced out after an April 19 board meeting. Did the clubs want their representatives on the Board to shield them from possible penalties? The staff of the EODSA are in an impossible situation, tasked with following Ontario Soccer rules that could negatively affect clubs with a majority on a board that determines their employment. Even the EODSA-sanctioned referee website lists the OPDP as a league.
It is imperative that Ontario Soccer intervene as there is too much conflict of interest within the EODSA to address such a serious issue. The participating clubs clearly believe that they are above the rules, first openly starting an unsanctioned competition, including a website, and then lying about ceasing the competition, and doing all this so close to the start of the summer season. Parents (of about 1,000 players) are being deceived into thinking that their children are playing in a legitimate competition. Significant penalties must be applied to all the participating clubs for such a brazen flaunting of the rules.
The Ottawa soccer community and leaders of the Ottawa community must speak out against the attempt to restrict equitable access to competitive sports. If the OPDP is successful, it will likely be followed by further attempts at exclusion in Ottawa soccer.
Please share this post and contact soccer officials and political and city leaders to share your concerns. Soccer authorities who are in a position to address this issue are listed below.
Possible email to Ontario Soccer officials (Cc'ing officials of the EODSA and Canada Soccer):
Please share this post and contact soccer officials and political and city leaders to share your concerns. Soccer authorities who are in a position to address this issue are listed below.
Possible email to Ontario Soccer officials (Cc'ing officials of the EODSA and Canada Soccer):
- Dear Ontario Soccer,
There is overwhelming evidence at fairnessinottawasoccer.org of an unsanctioned league operating in Ottawa. What is Ontario Soccer doing to enforce it rules? Is it seeking to apply its published penalties of a minimum six-month suspension for an official involved and a fine to the club of as much as $1,000 per game?
The smaller clubs in Ottawa are depending on Ontario Soccer to ensure that there is fair access to competitive soccer. I look forward to your response.
- Brian Mason, President, president@eodsa.ca
- Dinis Oliveira, Director of Discipline, directordiscipline@eodsa.ca
- Joe Scheier, Acting Executive Director, admin@eodsa.ca
Ontario Soccer officials:
- Ron Smale, President, rsmale@ontariosoccer.net
- Johnny Misley, Executive Director, jmisley@ontariosoccer.net
- Billy Wilson, Manager - Player Development, bwilson@ontariosoccer.net
- Dave Kelly, Regional Manager - Player Development, dkelly@ontariosoccer.net
- Charonne Thomasos, Manager - Administration, cthomasos@ontariosoccer.net
Canada Soccer officials:
- Jason deVos, Director of Development, jdevos@canadasoccer.com
- Ray Clark, Director of Coaching and Player Development, rclark@canadasoccer.com