Ottawa South United Soccer Club (OSU) is honored to receive the coveted 2012 Gold Level Club Excellence Award by the Ontario Soccer Association; Ontario’s soccer governing body.
OSU becomes the very first soccer club in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario to receive the Gold level award, joining a very small group of other clubs in Ontario which also received the gold designation.
“Everyone associated with OSU should be very proud of this outstanding achievement,” said Bill Michalopulos, Ottawa South United’s President. “This Gold Award is not just about the quality soccer program we offer, but just as important, also recognizes the strong foundation of quality governance, community involvement and forward thinking upon which the club is built.”
The Ontario Soccer Association’s Club Excellence Award is a province-wide recognition program for soccer clubs that are run efficiently and offer a safe, healthy and enjoyable environment for anyone involved in soccer.
The program requires Clubs to demonstrate development and execution of long term plans, strategies and policies in 4 key areas: Personnel, Governance, Community Involvement and Technical.
Three different levels of Excellence were awarded for 2012: Gold, Silver and Bronze. These designations are not mandated or required by the OSA but are aspirational in nature.
“As one of Canada’s leading and largest soccer clubs we strive to demonstrate leadership in all areas of operating a soccer club,” Michalopulos added.
Striving for gold since birth
“This prestigious award from our highest governing body is another example of Ottawa South United’s long term strategic approach to developing soccer in the community for all players,” said OSU Board member Stephen Campbell. “Since forming in 2003, we have constantly strived to improve club practices to better serve our membership and players while ensuring OSU and its staff and volunteers are a big part of the Ottawa community.”
There are approximately 1,150 Soccer Clubs in Ontario, serving more than 375,000 outdoor players and 85,000 indoor players each year.