Blind soccer at 2017 Ontario ParaSport Games.

Last weekend in Brantford, or Paris to be exact, we finally wrote the next chapter in the development of blind soccer in Ontario and Canada. It seems a long time since the success of the Toronto 2015 Para Pan Am Games. At TO2015 we were fortunate to see the World No. 1 Brazil as theyContinue reading “Blind soccer at 2017 Ontario ParaSport Games.”

Special Needs Coach Education

I recently completed my Canadian Soccer Association National B Audit, a task I had been eager to do for a long time and thankfully, as the CSA launched the new re-certification process I jumped on a recent course in Vaughan, Ontario. Aside from the physical effort required to participate in many on-field sessions that prepareContinue reading “Special Needs Coach Education”

Reflection: Grassroots special needs soccer programs

A meeting last month got me reflecting long and hard on the role of accessible programs within our communities. The meeting with the passionate and knowledgeable staff of Community Living Ontario (CLO) focused on the role of community based soccer (and sport in general) program. After summarising the wide and excellent variety of community basedContinue reading “Reflection: Grassroots special needs soccer programs”

Powerchair and FrameFootball hits Durham!

Frame Football – Canadian Launch Sessions Location: Glen Dhu Elementary School Dates: Monday September 26th – November 28th (6:00 – 7:00pm) Ages: 7 – 14 Cost: $55 Register here from August 3rd onwards: REGISTRATION Course Code: 205261 For those involved in inclusive soccer (football) it’s hard to ignore the rapid growth of Frame Football onContinue reading “Powerchair and FrameFootball hits Durham!”

PSC All Abilities Day moves Academy for Accessible Sport forward.

Sat. April 30th. PSC Soccer Centre, Pickering. Around 40 delegates attended a one day event to learn more about inclusive sport in Ontario and the wider impact of the Canadian Sport for Life Model (CS4L) in Canada. All Abilities program Founder Franco Taverna, Though Leader Dave Sora and Program Coordinator Wendy Cates provided a fullContinue reading “PSC All Abilities Day moves Academy for Accessible Sport forward.”

Towards an Academy for Accessible Soccer

Recent events have given me the chance to reflect on the successes and future direction of accessible soccer in Ontario and Canada. I’d like to share these with you in an effort to further stimulate the growth of inclusive programs. Recent Success This is truly a team effort from vibrant Club programs and Thought LeadersContinue reading “Towards an Academy for Accessible Soccer”

Coaching Disabled Footballers Course,2015.

This is a summary of the Coaching Disabled Footballers courses held across southern Ontario in Feb, 2015. While the basic facts are outlined the key outcomes listed at the end of this document highlight the impact and opportunities observed. Course Dates and Locations Saturday Jan 31st              14 candidates     Whitby Sunday Feb 1st                  26 candidates    Continue reading “Coaching Disabled Footballers Course,2015.”

Blind Soccer: Sudbury

  Saturday April 9th was an exciting day. The first time that Ontario Soccer had partnered with Ontario Blind Sport in a more structured and formal way to deliver a blind soccer course that closely followed NCCP coach education philosophies and structure using the experience both Facilitators had as Learning Facilitators in our own right.Continue reading “Blind Soccer: Sudbury”