Frontenac Soccer Association honours volunteers

Jan 28, 2010

FSA president Tracy Holland presents an award to past volunteer Morris Leroux

The Frontenac Soccer Association (FSA) decided for the first time this year to honour the many community volunteers whose efforts have allowed the sport to grow from just 300 players in 1990 to close to 1000 players this past year.

At their annual AGM, which took place at the Sydenham Legion on January 21, FSA president Tracey Holland of Sydenham handed out a total of 17 awards recognizing volunteers who spend countless hours not only as members of the executive board but also in other important roles, such as the coordinators for coaches, equipment, conveners, field maintenance, scheduling, community relations, field-liners and the FSA website.

For many long-term volunteers like Bryan Robe, the FSA’s acting director of discipline, the time put into the FSA does not come without its rewards. “For me it was never a job. It was always just a lot of fun and something that I enjoyed every minute of,” Robe said after receiving his award.

That attitude was reflected by volunteer and FSA secretary Tammy Sharpe who also received an award. She said, “We get way more out of volunteering and learn so much more from the kids than they learn from us, which is a really wonderful thing.“

Prior to the awards presentation, President Tracy Holland began the evening summing up the FSA’s many achievements in 2009, which included finding new coaches for the growing number of teams; upgrading the Verona soccer field and making it safer by removing a number of large rocks; acquiring permanent nets in North Frontenac; and laying the foundation of a progressive and positive relationship between the FSA and the various recreation and township committees in the area.

Holland, who has been involved with the FSA since 2001 and has been president for two years, outlined her personal goals for the upcoming year. “I want to focus on where we’re heading with close to 1000 kids now playing. We hope to look at the development of new fields and the maintenance of existing ones. I’m also hoping that in the next two years that I can act as the communication portal between the township, the recreation committees and the FSA so that we can continue to grow and serve the kids in our area. The growth of soccer is a very positive thing for the community. Nothing is better than giving kids an opportunity to be active and have fun right here in their own community.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with the FSA for the upcoming 2010 season can contact Tracy Holland at 613-376-3834.