February 8, 2010

Academy Recognition Gains Preliminary Approval

(RELEASE) - The OSA addressed a number of Requests for Decision at its February 6-7 meetings. Among them were two that would be of interest to SAAC members.

RFD 2010-009 which recognizes soccer groups that operate in more than 6 Districts was approved. This, along with the recent decision by the CSA to uphold a SAAC appeal against a recent OSA denial, would appear to indicate that SAAC will be granted Associate Membership status with the OSA in the near future.

More important to SAAC academies and players, is the approval in principal of an RFD (2010-007) that would formally recognize the existence of private academies and provide a mechanism for approved groups to register players, travel to tournaments and host exhibition matches. The preliminary approval requires the RFD to be returned to the Board with additional information for final review and approval at the April meetings. >>>

February 8, 2010

5 reasons why Toronto FC will make the playoffs in 2010

(Nigel Reed, CBC Sports) - All things come to those who wait, or so it is written. For all we know it was actually written by a crusty old hermit who won the lottery, married a surgically enhanced bimbo 60 years his junior and died of gluttony within a year of his good fortune.

Fans of Toronto FC have waited and waited for things to start arriving, and are still waiting. They are waiting for the team they embraced three years ago, and into which they have invested a considerable financial and emotional commitment, to start giving back.

Patience, in soccer as in life, is indeed a virtue. The wait is almost over; the reward is at hand. The frustration, felt by so many for so long, will finally end in 2010. The promised land of the playoffs beckons and here are my five reasons why the post-season is coming to Canada for the first time in franchise history.  >>>

February 4, 2010

OSU Force 97 Boys - Crowned Ontario Indoor Cup Champions for 2010

(RELEASE) - The OSU Force 97 U13 Boys traveled to the Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario eager to compete in the Ontario Indoor Cup Championships on January 30, 31.

After training hard all winter season, the team came out strong and well prepared to face teams from other Ontario districts.

The opening game had the boys playing against a strong Ajax Spurs team but not strong enough to hold back the scoring power of the Force’s offense. With a decisive 6-1 win the boys were off to a great start. The boys continued their excellent style of play in the second match against the displaced Sault Cruzll Eagles sending them home with a 16-0 loss.

The third game proved to be more of what the team expected from the Toronto area competition. The Brampton Blast came out very strong raising the level of play, but the Force’s defensive playing ability stepped up to the challenge and lead them to a nail biting 2-1 victory. >>>