Guy Bradbury & Colin Linford (OSA), Keith Wyness (Everton FC)
VAUGHAN, ON -- November 4, 2005 – A delegation of Ontario Soccer Association representatives including Executive Director, Guy Bradbury, Manager of Player Development, Bryan Rosenfeld, Manager of Coaching Development, Jim Cannovan, and OSA President, Colin Linford, traveled to England earlier this year to discuss ways and means to promote the game of soccer and to facilitate player development and soccer excellence on both sides of the Atlantic.
Guy Bradbury together with Colin Linford, OSA President, and Keith Wyness, Everton Chief Executive, formally announced the outcome of these efforts at a news conference held at The Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan -- a strategic partnership between The OSA and Everton FC under the new banner "Play Soccer" unveiled today.
“The aim is to build on the continuing relationship between The OSA and Everton FC in order to create future opportunities for player development, coaching development, community soccer initiatives and international business,” says Guy Bradbury. “The Ontario Soccer Association’s partnership with Everton will provide tremendous opportunities for the game in Ontario from grassroots initiatives to coaching clinics and elite player opportunities at the Everton Academy. We see this relationship advancing the game in Ontario by leaps and bounds.”
“From our players’ point of view, this cooperation with a top-flight European club provides an excellent avenue for Canadian players to expand their experience and test their skills at the international level,” says Bryan Rosenfeld, OSA Manager of Player Development.
Everton Academy Manager, Ray Hall, welcomes the potential influx of more Canadian Players to the European pool. “We are always on the look-out for international talent and Canadian players today certainly represent some of the promising up-and-coming talent,” says Hall.
Guy Bradbury (OSA), Tina Romagnuolo & Nana Attakora (Team Ontario), Gerald Woodman (UMBRO Canada)
A key component for success at all levels will be corporate support and UMBRO Canada is the first to join The Play Soccer team. "The Play Soccer program is a good opportunity to connect with soccer and families at the grassroots level," says Guy Bradbury, "and we expect to see many sponsors join us in support of our goal to solidify and expand soccer in communities across Ontario."
For more information, visit The Ontario Soccer Association website at: www.soccer.on.ca and the Everton FC website at www.evertonfc.com
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To access the summary of all Play Soccer '05 Conference events, click here. |
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