Club Excellence Overview
This ground-breaking Award entered the Canadian landscape in 2007 and continues to draw attention from Provincial Sport Organizations, National Sport Organizations and Multi Sport Organizations. Through the simply philosophy that we understand what is important to our Clubs and what is right for soccer we are able to provide an Award that challenges Clubs to be the best they can and simultaneously strengthen the soccer system as a whole. 2014 promises to be an exciting year for the Award as we launch clearly defined criteria as it pertains to the technical side of the game –something many Clubs have been wanting to see. Continuing to use the three tiered approach (Bronze, Silver, Gold) a set of technical standards will be identified that complement the current areas of Governance, Personnel and Community.
In addition to the introduction of LTPD aligned technical criteria the Award will begin to recognise Clubs through their commitment to ‘live’ the Award. This is a change from previous years where Clubs could adopt a range of policies and subsequently be awarded. Clubs will now be required to provide evidence that policy and procedures have been in place for a period of __ months prior to their consideration of an Award.
The Award continues to gain strength in its link to our District Associations who provide clarity and perspective when it comes to the assessment of a Clubs progress.
Awards since 2009
Award / Year | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
Gold | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 18 |
Silver | 5 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 23 |
Bronze | 16 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 9 |
The Club Awards identified in this table don’t tell the full story. Within these figures are Clubs that have renewed their Award regularly since inception or Clubs that have been upgraded. For example, Perth United Soccer Club are a perennial Bronze club with a small volunteer Club Board and membership base while further to the west Innisifil Soccer Club as moved from Bronze (2008) to Silver (2011) and then Gold (2013). The ongoing support and interaction between Club Development Staff and the Club Excellence awardee allows for regular follow up for advancement and consultation on club progress in a meaningful and beneficial way to our Club Volunteers. To provide a little more insight into the status a Club may carry we’ve outlined them below.
Entry Club: A Club that has just begun the process and has no Club Excellence track record with the OSA. This Club will begin the process by contacting their District Association or OSA Club Development Staff for more information. (See Steps to Success)
Club Renewal: A Club that has previously held a level of Award and would like to renew at the same level, Renewals are required every two years at any level.
Club Upgrade: A Club that would like to move to the next level of Award (Bronze up to Silver, Bronze up to Gold or Silver up to Gold). A Club wanting to upgrade will have to still present any evidence for the lower Award.
Dormant Club: A Club that has let its current standards lapse. They will be contacted periodically by Club Development Staff but won’t be recognised in that particular year as a Club Excellence Awardee.
Suspended Club: A Club that while currently holding an Award is found to behave in a manner detrimental to the game. This may include sanctions by their District Association, League or The OSA. Such Clubs will be addressed on a case by case basis.
Bronze Level | Silver Level | Gold Level |
Personnel |
Club Database Club Organizational Chart | Club Volunteer Recognition Event
Job Descriptions
Contracts for Paid Staff
Application forms
Club Website (URL)
Club Calendar of Event | Staff/Volunteer Orientation Process
Staff/Volunteer Evaluation Process
List of Emergency Qualified Staff
Staff and Volunteer Recruitment Strategy |
Governance |
Club Constitution
Active Member of District Association and OSA
Active Member of Affiliated Leagues
Signed Conflict of Interest Statements
Signed User Account and
Confidentiality Agreement (I.M.S)
Most current approved AGM Minutes with financial information | Risk Management Manual
Discipline Procedures
Club Travel Team Policy
Club Financial Procedures
Communication Policy with social media policy
Tobacco Free Policy
Healthy Snack Policy
Discipline and Suspension Records
Show Your Respect Policy | Club Publicity / Media Strategy |
Community |
| Club—Municipality Letter AODA Policy | *Club Tournament Strategy
*Club Soccer Camp Strategy
*Club Disability Strategy
*Club Community Involvement Strategy *Pick 2 of the 4 to include as evidence |
Technical |
List of Qualified Competitive Coaches and their levels | Code of Conducts :
- Coaches
- Player
- Spectators
- Officials
LTPD Report from President, Club Head Coach or Technical Director | Player Development Plan Coach Development Plan Referee Development Plan |