FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Football Ontario Launches Awards & Recognition Program to Celebrate the People Who Power the Game
Nominations now open for athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators and organizations across the province
Hamilton, Ont. – Football Ontario is proud to announce the launch of its Awards & Recognition Program, a province-wide initiative honouring the individuals and organizations whose dedication drives football in Ontario.
The program gives Football Ontario Members a formal way to recognize excellence on and off the field. From athletes and coaches to the officials, volunteers and administrators who keep the game running, the program celebrates every part of the football community.
Nominations are submitted by Football Ontario Members and reviewed by the Awards & Recognition Committee, with final approval by Football Ontario’s CEO.
Award Categories
The program is built on five tiers of recognition, set out in Football Ontario’s Board-approved Awards & Recognition Policy:
- Legacy Awards: Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement honours for those who have shaped football in Ontario over a career.
- Individual Annual Awards: Athlete, Coach, Official, Volunteer and Administrator of the Year.
- Organizational Awards: Club, League and Association of the Year.
- Special Recognition: Awards presented at the discretion of the Board and CEO, including All-Ontarian honours.
- Legacy Service Recognition: Milestone honours for 5, 10, 20 and 25+ years of service to the game.
How to Nominate
Nominations are open now and close on November 27, 2026. Each award category has its own nomination form, available on the Awards & Recognition page under the Membership section of the Football Ontario website: https://footballontario.net/members/awards-recognition/
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations close | November 27, 2026 |
| Recipients notified confidentially | January 2027 |
| Virtual public announcement | January 2027 |
| In-person celebration at the Football Ontario Coaches Mega Clinic | March 2027 |
Recipients will be celebrated in person at the Football Ontario Coaches Mega Clinic in March 2027.
“Football in Ontario thrives because of the people who give their time, energy and passion to the game,” said [Name], CEO of Football Ontario. “Whether it’s a coach developing young athletes, an official working every weekend, or a volunteer keeping a club running, these contributions deserve to be recognized. This program is our way of saying thank you, and we encourage every Member to nominate someone who has made a difference.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
ABOUT FOOTBALL ONTARIO: Football Ontario is the sanctioned provincial governing body for football in Ontario, through its focus on transparency, growth, alignment and excellence, is engaged in providing football opportunities for all of Ontario. Football Ontario is driven by a commitment to deliver football programming, opportunities and resources for its members and the provincial football stakeholders. Please visit: footballontario.net
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