Position Title: OPDL Field Manager
Position Term: Contract – Part time
Location: Ottawa
Reports To: Senior Manager, Competitions
Background:
Do you want to gain invaluable work experience in the world of amateur sport? Have you ever wanted to help grow the game of soccer in Ontario?
Ontario Soccer is actively searching for talented and ambitious individual who are passionate about the field of sport management and want to apply their knowledge at Canada’s largest provincial sport organization.
Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is comprised of more than 540 Clubs servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials, as well as countless volunteers, parents and supporters comprising a direct, multi-cultural community of over 1,000,000 Ontarians.
Ontario Soccer develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable programs and services throughout Ontario with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders.
An overall goal of Ontario Soccer is to assist with the equitable development of soccer as a healthy lifestyle choice, provide a talented pathway for players to excel and encourage inclusive community involvement at all levels
Position Summary:
The Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) is the province's standards-based, youth high performance league that combines top level competition with strict high performance training standards. The OPDL represents young players' early graduation to a genuine high performance training environment, targeting only the top athletes in the province from age groups U13 to U17,
with what is considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer in Ontario. Unlike other leagues, OPDL operates more as a high performance training program than merely a league.
OPDL Field Managers is the highest point of OPDL authority on game day and provide support to OPDL Venue Coordinators. The Field Manager is the main point of contact if issues arise at venues and assist if needed. The Field Manager visits venues and completes venue evaluations, provides guidance to OPDL Venue Coordinators and is on call and may be required to attend a venue or address issues that may arise.
The role is deadline-driven and time-intensive and requires energetic, highly motivated multi-taskers who are exceptional communicators, organizers and thrive on delivering high quality customer service.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
a) Provide support to Venue Coordinators on OPDL game days
b) Liaising with Venue Coordinators to ensure venues are running smoothly
c) Visit various venues on OPDL game days
d) Complete venue evaluations during visits and review with Venue Coordinators
e) Fill in for Venue Coordinator if necessary
f) Provide guidance to OPDL Venue Coordinator at venue
g) Be on call and available to attend venue or address issues that might arise
h) On-Site Field Manager at Central Venues where needed
h) Submit completed venue evaluations
i) Report any issues or concerns to Senior Manager, Competitions
Experience & Skills:
The candidate must possess initiative and relationship building skills
Must possess strong written and oral communication skills
Strong time management and proficiency skills
Ability to work alone and as part of a team
Strong planning and organization skills with the ability to multi-task
A comprehensive understanding of the OPDL and Ontario Soccer is an asset
Note: This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties which may be assigned from time to time.
A Vulnerable Sector Check will be required, cost of which will be reimbursed by Ontario Soccer.
Please submit your cover letter and resume (with OPDL Field Manager as the subject) to:
jobs@ontariosoccer.net
Submission Deadline: Until positions are filled.
We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
We are excited to have some new hosts for the U8 festivals this year, giving the kids a chance to see some new fields, and travel a bit as a team.
The 2023 U8 Festivals will be held on the following Sundays:
Typically the girls run between 9am and 11am and the boys between 11am and 1pm. That can be adjusted. It might not be wise to have the boys playing at the hottest part of the July and August days.
The team fee is $50.00 per festival.
Teams can register for any number of festivals that they'd like.
Club reps must register teams within 4 weeks of each festival. (Individual coaches can't register teams)
Ontario Soccer is pleased to announce a new Technical Director’s Diploma course & two National “C” Licence courses in a hybrid delivery format.
Overview:
The National “C” Licence is the entry-level course for the Licensing Stream pathway and prepares the coach to progress to the Advanced Coach Education Program whether in the Development Stream (Children or Youth) or Performance Stream (National B & A). The “C” Licence involves the facilitation of learning opportunities for the coach to develop an understanding of the coaching process.What do you learn?
The “C” Licence content involves theoretical and practical components focusing on holistic, effective coaching. The workshop modules cover content including:
Coaches who obtain a “C” Licence Certification will be able to be a Head Coach in some Regional Leagues and an Assistant Coach in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL). Please refer to each league’s rules & regulations for up-to-date information on coach licensing requirements.
What are the course pre-requisites?
Prior to registering for the C Licence course, coaches must complete the following:
Structure of the C Licence Course
Hybrid delivery: the course will consist of eight (8) online sessions, two (2) hours in duration, and concluding with a single, full in-person day on-field.
Course #1: dates & location – hybrid delivery
Entirely online on each day:
The on-field practical session shall be held at the Ontario Soccer Centre (7601 Martin Grove Rd, Vaughan, ON L4L 9E4) on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 8:00-5:00 p.m.
Course #2: dates & location – hybrid delivery
Entirely online on each day:
The on-field practical session shall be held at the Ontario Soccer Centre (7601 Martin Grove Rd, Vaughan, ON L4L 9E4) on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 8:00-5:00 p.m.
Please note: 100% attendance and engagement is required for the duration of the course. Coaches must be in a workspace that allows them to actively participate in the course online with their cameras on.
What is the cost?
$850
Application and registration
Coaches are required to apply for these courses via Coach Centre, providing proof of their completion of the pre-requisites. Upon being approved, coaches are then able to register for the course they are interested in.
An Overview:
The course focuses on defining the Technical Director’s role, providing the necessary tools and enhancing the skillsets required to meet the ever-evolving demands of the position.
What do you learn?
The course modules will consist of the following topics:
What are the course pre-requisites?
Prior to applying for a place on the Technical Director’s Diploma course, candidates must have completed the following:
Please note: All applicants must submit an up-to-date CV, copy of their NCCP transcript, a Letter of Intent, and two references via the Application Portal by no later than Friday, February 10, 2023.
Structure of the course
The course will be delivered through a variety of in-person and virtual modules to support learners as they navigate the content over the year. There will also be a significant amount of off-site work required ahead of each module as well as post-module assignments to enhance learning through application. For more information and an overview of the course schedule, please visit the Ontario Soccer website.
The in-person modules of the course will be at the Ontario Soccer Centre (7601 Martin Grove Road - Vaughan, Ontario) in the Canada Room.
Please note: 100% attendance and engagement is required for the duration of the course. When online, candidates must be in a workspace that allows them to actively participate in the course with their cameras on.
What is the cost?
$975
If you have any further questions, please contact Lyndon Hooper, Coordinator, Coach Development.
Ontario Soccer Summit is Back!
Group registration is now available for your annual soccer development opportunity. The Ontario Soccer Summit will be in Ottawa from February 24-26, 2023; gather your staff team and volunteers, and join us in the Nation’s Capital! Click here for ticket options.
How do I stay connected to Ontario Soccer?
If you have not subscribed to our weekly e-Newsletter, Subscribe to INSIDE THE 18. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Estimates of temperature and humidex will be taken as provided/predicted by Environment Canada (EC)
as provided up to 7 hours prior to game kick-off times.
Breaks will be at approximately the quarters of game time, preferably at natural stoppages in play and
will allow unlimited substitutions at that time. Break should be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum
of 3 minutes.
A Coach or Referee can set a water break when the temperature at Kick-off time is over 28 degrees
Celsius or humidex estimated over 30 degrees Celsius before kick-off time.
The EODSL mandates water breaks at approximately the quarters of game time when the temperature
exceeds 34 degrees Celsius or humidex of 36 degrees Celsius.
The EODSL mandates cancelling matches where the temperature at the start of play is predicted to be in
excess of 37 degrees Celsius or humidex of 39 degrees Celsius at kick-off time.
Decisions should be taken around noon of days where Environment Canada (EC) predictions of high
temperatures and humidex values are available. Where exact kick-off times are not stated then the
average of the two closest predictions for that time should be used. For example if 6pm EC prediction is
humidex 40C and 7pm is humidex 38C then estimated 6:30 KO time would be humidex 39C. Reminders
of the mandated actions above should be as timely as possible but not less than 4 hours prior to common
kick-off times.
Decisions will be provided for EODSA based matches based upon the Ottawa predictions from
EC. Decisions will be provided for SOSA based matches based upon the Kingston prediction from EC.
Ontario Soccer is proud to pave the way for a cultural change in treatment of Match Officials through the No Ref, No Game program.
No Ref, No Game strives to stop the cycle of abuse and bullying towards match officials through culture change.
Click here to find out more
Match Official (Referee) retention and recruitment numbers has seen a drastic depletion of officials at all levels.
Although historically low in all sports, if they continue at current levels, they will threaten the viability of our game. When surveyed, the number one reason for Match Officials not returning to the game is maltreatment. Research also confirms that Match Officials are at increased risk for mental health challenges.
At Ontario Soccer, we strive to create programming and policy that will protect our Match Officials from the physical and mental health impacts of bullying and harassment. As such we, are announcing a multi-year program surrounding Match Official Bullying and Harassment that will holistically address policy and discipline changes and public/participant education. This will be supported by a marketing and awareness campaign. We will gather input from the officiating community through focus groups, surveys and meetings. Additional research and data from University and Research partners will drive change throughout all levels of the game in Ontario.
As a first step in this program, we are releasing our Charter of Match Officials; one signed by the Ontario Soccer Board of Directors, and the other signed by our District Association Leaders. These Charters are a small first step in addressing the change in perspective, and adjustment to the current culture. By signing these charters, our membership leaders are publicly committing to supporting our Match Officials with “a zero-tolerance approach and to delivering the anti-bullying and harassment programs we are developing.
Click here to view the Charter and for more program information.
In addition to this Charter, more resources will be released in the coming weeks and months.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicky Pearson, Sr. Manager of Match Officials Development npearson@ontariosoccer.net.
Please read - Important message from Vicki Lowe, Executive Director concerning team official behaviour
You can now register to take a referee course with Ontario Soccer
There are two courses on offer from Ontario Soccer
Small Sided (for 5 v 5 and 7 v 7 games)
Entry level (for 9 v 9 and 11 v 11 games)
Referee students will have to complete an online study session before they attend a webinar with an instructor. Following the webinar students will then take an exam. For the final part of the course students will have to attend a practical session at a local field.
Successful students will have to complete a season officiating in a club house league before they can progress to district and regional games.
To find out more including how you register for a course please go here
