| The Ontario Soccer Association Announces
2013 Centre Circle Award Recipients
VAUGHAN, ON -- The Ontario Soccer Association has announced the Center Circle Award recipients for 2013. The Center Circle Awards are The Ontario Soccer Association’s highest level of recognition and are presented annually to individuals and organizations nominated on the basis of their outstanding contributions to the development of soccer in Ontario. Recipients of Center Circle Awards are recognized at The OSA’s Awards Banquet held during the annual Soccer Conference. The 2013 Center Circle Awards Banquet is being held at the Hilton Hotel & Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview, 6361 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls on Saturday, April 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The 2013 Soccer Conference is being generously hosted by the Niagara Soccer Association. At the Centre Circle Awards Banquet, two members of the hosting Association will be presented with Meritorious Service Awards. Jim Smith, President of the Niagara Soccer Association, has earned individual honours for over 35 years of dedicated service to soccer in his community. The St. Catharines Jets Girls Soccer Club is the sole recipient of the club award this year, for its commitment to player development since its inception in 1971. This year’s Awards will be presented in the following categories: Centre Circle Meritorious Service Award - IndividualTom Gribilas Tom Gribilas will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his 30 years of service as a coach, referee, and administrator in the Scarborough community. In 1983, Tom began an esteemed career in soccer as one of the co-founders of the Olympic Flame Soccer Club. In 1985 he was made President of the Olympic Flame Soccer Club and Director of the Scarborough Soccer Association, positions that he still holds to this day. Since 1983 he has been both a competitive and recreational coach with Olympic Flame, as well as a recreational referee within the club. In 2001, he was honoured with the Government of Canada Volunteer Award, as well as the City of Toronto Award of Merit. Al McDowell Al McDowell will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his service to the game of soccer in his community. Growing up in Ontario with British relatives, Al took to playing soccer at a young age. He would later move to coaching, first in London and then in Oshawa, where his work in the community began to accelerate. In Oshawa Al joined the Neighbourhood Association Sports Committee (NASC) where he was an All-Star coach for 15 years and a governor for 20 years. Al also assisted in organizing the Durham Open Ladies Soccer League and coached in the league for 10 years. Al Carrafiello Al Carrafiello will receive the Meritorious Service Award for over 30 years of dedicated service in soccer administration in Ontario. After several years as a player, coach, and manager, Al was made President of the Flamborough Soccer Club in 1982. In 1987 he moved on to the district level at the Hamilton and District Soccer Association. At HDSA, Al has held the positions of Director, Discipline Chair, Vice-President, and President. In 1999, he received the Town of Flamborough 15 Year Volunteer Award. In 2001, he received the City of Hamilton Volunteer of the Year honours. Finally in 2006, the Province of Ontario presented Al with the 10 year Volunteer Award. Al has sat on several committees and was the HDSA Representative to The OSA Board of Directors from 1996 to 2013. Gus Katsiroumbas Gus Katsiroumbas will receive the Meritorious Service Award for several decades of service to the game as an administrator. Gus immigrated to Canada from Greece in 1968 and quickly found himself playing for and managing the Hellas Greek Soccer Team. In 1976 he moved on to the London and District Soccer Association where he held various titles such as Publicity, Referee Coordinator, Discipline, and Registrar. In 1987 Gus was elected as Registrar of Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association, a position he still holds to this day. Throughout his time at the District level, Gus has acted as the District Ontario Cup Coordinator for EMSA, and continues to be involved with its Discipline Committee. Linda Blofield Linda Blofield will receive the Meritorious Service Award for her dedication to the game as an administrator and as a volunteer. She began at the club level as the Director of Girls Soccer for the Erin Mills Soccer Club in 1993, and then moved on to the Mississauga Soccer Club in 1996. In 1998, Linda became the District Administrator for the Peel Halton Soccer Association. Outside of the time she spends with various events for the PHSA, Linda has frequently volunteered with The OSA for the Ontario Cup and Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. For the CSA, she has volunteered at several National Club Championships, as well as Canadian National Team Games played at BMO Field. Today Linda still works for the PHSA as the District Administrator and actively volunteers her time at a variety of events. Jim Potter Jim Potter will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his dedicated service to the game of soccer in Darlington. In 1982 Jim began coaching at the House League level, quickly progressed to the All-Star Program, and then starting coaching competitively. Outside of coaching, Jim has held several positions within the Darlington Soccer Club. These positions include Referee, Coaching Coordinator, Rep Girls Convenor, Vice President, and President. In 2009 he received the Durham Region Soccer Association Volunteer Recognition Award. Finally in 2012, Jim was awarded the Darlington Soccer Club Rep Coach of the Year. Today Jim is still coaching competitively, currently at the helm for the Darlington Girls 1996 team. Jim Smith  Jim Smith will receive the Meritorious Service Award for 35 years of service to soccer as a coach & administrator in his community. In 1978 Jim started out as Director of the St. Catharines Celtic Soccer Club, a position he held off & on until 2005. In the 1980’s Jim was also Director of both the Club Heidelberg Soccer Club & Club Roma. In 1997 Jim progressed to the district level as Director of the Niagara Soccer Association. In 2000 he would become Vice President of the NSA,& in 2003 he became the President of the District Association. Today Jim still serves as President of both the Peninsula Soccer League & the Niagara S.A. John Valvasori John Valvasori will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his exceptional contribution to youth soccer in the Hamilton area. John’s involvement in youth soccer dates back to 1972, when he began his long career in coaching. In 1990 John began as an administrator with Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club and has been there ever since. He has held the titles of Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the club. Recognizing the path youth soccer is taking in Ontario with the LTPD directive, John has played a pivotal role in strengthening the soccer landscape in Hamilton by engaging other local clubs on the future of the game in their city. Today John is still coaching, and is currently the President of Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club. Phil Hinchley Phil Hinchley will receive the Meritorious Service Award for over 20 years of substantial contribution to youth soccer in the Woodstock community. Before moving to Canada in 1982, Phil began his life in soccer as a competitive player in the UK. As a new Canadian resident, he quickly got involved in his local community with the Woodstock Minor Soccer Club. Over the years Phil held the positions of youth coach, Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the Club. One of Phil’s most tangible accomplishments was the significant role he played in the creation of Cowan Park. In 2008, Phil’s own community paid tribute to his service as he was inducted into the Woodstock Hall of Fame as a Builder of Sports. Today he holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer at the Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association. Philip Moore Philip Moore will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding dedication to referee development. Philip refereed his first soccer match in 1956 and has been involved in officiating, both on and off the pitch, ever since. He worked his way up the ranks and was promoted to the National List in 1994. Philip’s expertise as an official led to him becoming an assessor, where he was also promoted to the National List in 1999. On multiple occasions, he was chosen as the CSA Chief of Officials for the National Club Championships. As an instructor, Philip has been instrumental in the development of referees across Ontario. He currently sits on the OSA Assessor Advisory Committee and has recently been re-appointed as Chair of the OSA Instructor Advisory Committee. Rick Singh Rick Singh will receive the Meritorious Service Award for over 30 years of service to the game as a coach, referee, and administrator. In 1988 Rick started at the Richmond Hill Soccer Club as Head Referee, a position that he still holds today. In 2013 Rick became the York Region Soccer Referees’ Association Registrar, and is also involved with the York Region Soccer Association Mentor Program. Over the years Rick has been presented with several awards including NYSC Referee Appreciation Award in 1985, YRSA Executive of the Year honours in 2005, and the Town of Richmond Hill Volunteer Achievement Award in 2010. Today Rick still works for the Richmond Hill Soccer Club and is also a District Referee Instructor. Robert Munro Robert Munro will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his exceptional contribution to youth development for soccer in Ontario. In the early 80’s Robert moved from playing to coaching at the club level for the Burlington Youth Soccer Club. In 1985 he was a District Coach, and in 1986 he began a 17 year stretch as a Provincial Coach for The OSA. In 1996 he became the Technical Director at the Richmond Hill Soccer Club. Over the years Robert improved his coaching credentials, and today he holds a National B Licence certification. He is currently a Learning Facilitator for The OSA, while maintaining his TD duties at the Richmond Hill Soccer Club. Tony Munton Tony Munton will receive the Meritorious Service Award for over 30 years of service as a referee and administrator. Tony grew up in the UK playing the beautiful game, but took to officiating when he turned 30. When Tony immigrated to Canada in 1982 his experience and ranking were not recognized by The OSA. Undiscouraged, Tony started from scratch and flew through the ranks, achieving a Level 1 status in 1984. He used his expertise to become an OSA Certified Instructor, sharing his knowledge of the game with up-and-coming referees. Tony was a founding member of the North Peel Soccer Referee’s Association and served as an executive member for many years. He has also served as a member of the Peel Halton Soccer Association Strategic Planning Committee, as well as the PHSA Referee Development Committee. William “Billy” McCallum William “Billy” McCallum will receive the Meritorious Service Award for his years as a referee and an administrator. Coaching followed not long after his playing days, as he taught the game to eager youngsters from a variety of age groups. However, Billy really made his mark on soccer in Ontario as a referee and administrator. He began calling games in 1990 and quickly moved up the ranks, which led to him officiating high level games both in Canada and abroad. In 1997 Billy started as the District Referee Coordinator for Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association, a position he held for 13 years. He was President of the London Referees Association, and in 2006, started the EMSA Referees Association. Billy was also a Referee Supervisor for the Canadian Soccer League. Centre Circle Meritorious Service Award - ClubSt. Catharines Jets Girls Soccer Club The St. Catharines Jets Girls Soccer Club will receive the Meritorious Service Club Award for its commitment to player development in the St. Catharines community. The St. Catharines Jets Girls Soccer Club was formed in 1971 as a one team club. Today, the club has grown by leaps and bounds, having 125 teams and over 2000 registered players. This organization has not only provided an opportunity for participation in soccer activity, but also provided enhanced skill development and a means to achieve success in the sport at higher levels by exposure of participants to scholarship opportunities. The Jets’ success is demonstrated through consistent growth in enrollment in their program as well as the success of graduates of their program. Centre Circle President’s AwardBruce Henderson Bruce Henderson will receive the President’s Award for the outstanding contribution he has made to the sport of soccer throughout his career. Bruce has been involved with soccer for more than 50 years serving in many capacities. As a passionate and active member of the soccer community his involvement has included; serving as the first secretary of the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association, obtaining the CSA National “C” level coaching accreditation, leading the Nova Scotia Under-6 Boys team to the Atlantic Provincial All-Star Championships and refereeing for over 34 years at both the provincial and national levels. His vast experience also includes serving as Chairman of the organizing committee for the 1974 CONCACAF Under-20 Championships held in Ontario as well as serving on the committee of two other CONCACAF tournaments. Bruce has been a valuable and highly regarded staff member of The Ontario Soccer Association for more than 25 years and currently holds the position of Director, Organizational Development. His compassion and tireless devotion to the game have helped shape soccer in the province and he is undoubtedly the authority on The OSA’s Constitution, Published Rules, and administrative practices and procedures. |
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