London and areas only true soccer referees association (OWRSRA)

International Friendly - U20 Mexico National Team vs North York Astros (CSL) - June 20, 2007

CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE - June 15 to June 16 2007

Special thanks to the team members of the Soccer Referees Relay for Life. John Oliva (captain), Vito Curalli, Hugh Elliott, Dan Wybo, Tino Goncalves, Bahrum Sarvian, Jessica Kipp, Archie Korbiel, Cosmo Iavazzi and Crystal Kean. The team raised a total of almost $2000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. The event started Friday evening at 7:00 pm and continued until 7:00 am Saturday morning. There was a record 126 teams involved and London managed to raise over $275,000 for cancer research! Here are photos of the event. As you can see, a great time was had by all.


The Soccer Referees Relay for Life Team. Back row, from left to right: Tino Goncalves, Vito Curalli, Bahrum Sarvian, John Oliva, Dan Wybo, Hugh Elliott. Front row from left to right: Alex Williams, Crystal Kean, Cosmo Iavazzi, Jessica Kipp, and Steve Cahoon. Lying in front, Archie Korbiel. Alex and Steve paid the team a visit after finishing their CSL game in London.	Standing on the track while the Canadian National Anthem was placed prior to the event starting.	Referees camping out at Site #6.

Bahrum Sarvian (left), Dan Wybo (middle) and Hugh Elliott (right) await their turn to take to the track.	Vito Curalli (left), Hugh Elliott (middle) and John Oliva (right) walk the track at the wee hours of the morning.	Almost 12 hrs into the Relay, the team finished up while marching the OSRA banner around the track.

Lumanaries were set up around the perimeter of the track with the word HOPE on one side and the word CURE on the other. The lumanaries were candles representing Cancer survivors and those who have passed away from Cancer.	Crystal Kean curls up with her blanket after her turn on the track. Crystal is a new member from Newfoundland. She is working on her PhD at Western, and will be with us for a few years, or more!	Vito Curalli (left) and Tino Goncalves (right) relaxing at the campsite.

Photos from the Provincial AGM held November 18^th, 2007 in St.Catherines, ON:



London Branch President John Oliva recieves a certificate from the Provinical OSRA President David Cope, as a Certified Staff Instructor for the new OSRA Education Program. The new program is scheduled to kick off in 2008.
Bahrum Sarvian, Steve Depiero, Cosmo Iavazzi, Amato DeLuca, and John Oliva. Steve is a current FIFA Referee and Amato is finishing his final year as a FIFA AR. The association is extremely pleased to announce that both have joined as Associate Members of the London Branch, along with a number of other referees from around the province.
A special congratulations to Bahrum Sarvian and Peter Timmerman who both were awarded their 15 year service pin from the OSRA.

Photos from the November 6^th, 2007 General Meeting:

The association had it's first General Meeting since changing it's name to the OSRA London Branch. With approximately 20 members in attendance, many issues were discussed such as the OSA Policy allowing the wearing of the OSRA badge, the accomplishments of 2007, as well as the new OSRA Provincial Education Program for 2008.

The next meeting will take place in February 2008 where we will begin the first of five education sessions planned for next year!

News from the 2007 AGM:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Ontario Soccer Referees' Association - London Branch
Sunday October 21, 2007

The Annual General Meeting took place on October 21,2007. Through an amendment to the constitution, it was passed that the name of the association will be the Ontario Soccer Referees' Association - London Branch. Also, John Oliva was re-elected as President, Bahrum Sarvian was re-elected as Secretary, and Comso Iavazzi was re-elected as Council Member. Please note that Branch Fees for 2008 have been set at $35 per person. Please contact Peter Timmerman to register.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS:

Dear Members,

With our first full year as OSRA, I’d like to highlight some of our successes. The executive worked very hard this year to ensure that we continue to be the leaders in referee development. We were extremely fortunate to have some of the top instructors in the province teaching our members in the 5 education sessions that were held. We held 5 successful fitness training sessions to prepare our members for the 2007 season. We were also successful in having “peer to peer” evaluations, where our own members went out to watch and offer advice to our members. Also, continued our community service work by hosting 3 successful fundraising events. The first being our Poker Night, the second was the Cancer Relay for Life, and the third, which took place yesterday, was our Fallsview Casino Trip. In total, we managed to raise over $3000 for charitable organizations. Something we should all be proud of.

By continuing our demonstrated success as a Referees Association, I hope that more and more of our local referees will see that the OSRA is truly a referee association for referees. 2008 is expected to be a very exciting year as the OSRA Provincial Executive, and their Education Committee, will be rolling out its new Education Program.

As I’ve said before, being a member of the OSRA means being a member of the largest referee organization in the province no matter our big or small the London branch is. If re-elected as President, I commit to ensuring that we continue to grow our association, as the OSRA, and will continue to offer our members the highest level of education development along with being an active member in the community.

Thanks to all the members for supporting the OSRA.

Sincerely,

John Oliva
President OSRA London Branch

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Photos from the Fitness Training Sessions 2007:

Cosmo Iavazzi works a Peripheral Vision and Agility Drill during a Fitness Training Session at John Paul II. Paul Vink, Andrew Wiles, and Matt Fotia run a Speed and Endurance Drill through pylons. Referees working AR drills as part of the fitness training

Referees practice the proper substitution signal during another AR drill. Referees running laps at John Paul II track in preparation for this years fitness testing. Muscular development drills are done as part of the fitness training. Referees shown here doing lunges across the field.

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2007 EDUCATION SESSIONS

The 2007 Education Sessions are now complete. We had 5 education sessions in total, utilitzing the knowledge and experience of fully qualified FIFA, and National Instructors. We would like to thank all the instructors for making this years sessions successful, especially those who came from out of town. Also, thanks to those who made the effort to come out and participated in the sessions. Check out the photos from our education sessions.
National Referee, Isaac Raymond wraps up the 2007 education sessions with a presentation on Referee Positioning.

Joe Agnew teaches a room full of referees about Law 12 - Fouls and Misconducts at Wheable Adult Center for Education on Thursday April 26th. This was the associations 4th session of the year. Joe Agnew shown here with member Andrew Wiles. Andrew had a perfect score on his test and was given a FIFA pin by Mr. Agnew. This pin had been given to Mr. Agnew by former FIFA President Jao Havalange. Referees watch carefully to players committing fouls and misconducts and have to decide whether or not they would just award a free kick, caution the player or send the player off.

Peter T. Johnson, retired FIFA Referee and current FIFA, CSA and CONCACAF Instructor teaches referees about their Powers and Duties. Referees listen carefully to Mr. Johnston during one of the association educations sessions.

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Joe Guest, CSA Director of Referees, came to Toronto on January 27 and gave a presentation lecture on the new CSA Referee programme and structure to nearly 100 OSRA members at the Armenian Youth Centre at 401 and Victoria Park. The only item to draw contention was the fact that there will only be one badge for referee's in Canada from 2009, Joe was quite clear that that our beloved OSRA badge will not be allowed on a referee uniform, not even as an arm patch. At the end of the lecture, Joe presented our very own member from Toronto Branch Amato de Luca, who is also an associate member with the London Branch, with a CSA award recognizing his achievement as a FIFA Assistant Referee. Amato retired from the active FIFA list this year having reached the upper age limit.

Joe Guest addresses the OSRA Membership with the future of refereeing in Canada.	Members listen to Joe Guest at the Armenian Youth Center Theatre. Over 100 members were in attendance.	Gerry Foley (CSA), Amato de Luca (retired FIFA AR), and Joe Guest (CSA).

Members settle in for the first council meeting of 2008 following the presentation by Joe Guest.	The OSRA Provinical Council conduct the first council meeting of 2008, chaired by President David Cope.	London Branch President, John Oliva with Toronto Branch President, Mike Izzo.
Wanna see what in store for the future of refereeing in Canada? Open Joe Guest's Power Point presentation to see! CLICK HERE

REFEREE PHOTOS 2007 See photos of our members working in leagues such as WOSL, LDYSL, OYSL and CSL games.


Crystal Kean, John Oliva and Andrew Wiles before a girls U18 OYSL game at North London Stadium.	Cosmo Iavazzi with Toronto members Vito Curalli and Ricky Zomparelli warming up prior to a CSL game at Cove Road.	Members Crystal Kean (4th Official) and Rob Burns (AR on right) stand with David Barrie and Emile Shultz during the playing of the Canadian National anthem prior to a CSL game at Cove Road.

Rob Burns, John Oliva and Cosmo Iavazzi warming up before their CSL game at Cove Road on July 6^th with London vs St. Catherines.	Rob Burns, Lisa MacNeil, John Oliva and Cosmo Iavazzi sporting the 2006 Adidas World Cup uniforms at their CSL game on July 6^th. Rogers TV was there to telecast the game.

CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER - Friday May 4, 2007 Thanks to everyone who came out and participated in this years fundraiser in support of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kidney Foundation. The night was full of food, drinks, poker, blackjack, and lots of prizes. Go to the photo gallery to see pictures of the event. Here are some photos:
	The No Limit Poker Tournament was a big success. Congratulations to Tyrone Sparks, who was the big winner and took home first place. Tyrone won his choice of golf club and golf shirt, along with 15 golf balls, a ball cap, and an Angelo's Bakery gift certificate. Billy Graham battled heads up with Tyrone, and finished 2nd in the tournament.	The prize table was loaded with prizes, donated by local businesses, supporting the fundraiser. There were many golf shirts, gift certificates, sportswear, and sports items given away, along with a World Cup Soccer Ball.

	The blackjack table was another big success, and kept busy for most of the evening. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wybo for sitting in as dealers.	All you can eat pizza was the food of choice, along with free soft drinks and munchies.

Matt Fotia was the successful bidder of the AC Milan jersey during the evenings auction. The jersey was donated by Source for Sports. Tino Goncalves was the winner in the loonie toss, taking home a bottle of Crown Royal. Dan Wybo won the prize for winning the most chips at the black jack table and had his choice of golf shirt from the prize table. Special thanks to John Oliva and Bahrum Sarvian for organizing the event. Also thanks to Cosmo Iavazzi, Matt Fotia and Dan Wybo for helping to make the night a success. The association was successful in raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kidney Foundation.


Geoff Gamble, Walter Kirchner and Isaac Raymond with branch members Cosmo Iavazzi and John Oliva upon arrival at Ester Shiner Stadium, in North York, ON for an Interntional Friendly between the U20 Mexico National Team and the North York Astros of the Canadian Soccer League.		Game officials after the completion of the game. Isaac was the main referee, with Geoff and John as assistant referees, while Cosmo took the 4th official position. As you can see from the crowd in the background, it was a great atmosphere created by the Mexican spectators. Food, drink, and music created a great atmosphere.

Above left, Mexico midfielder Jorge Hernandez shown here during their game vs the North York Astros of the Canadian Soccer League. On the right, Mexico star Giovani dos Santos (middle) with striker Carlos Vella during the 2nd half of their International Friendly. In the background is Diego Maradona, who is the nephew of the Argentinian superstar of the same name.


Cosmo Iavazzi works a Peripheral Vision and Agility Drill during a Fitness Training Session at John Paul II.	Paul Vink, Andrew Wiles, and Matt Fotia run a Speed and Endurance Drill through pylons.	Referees working AR drills as part of the fitness training


Referees practice the proper substitution signal during another AR drill.	Referees running laps at John Paul II track in preparation for this years fitness testing.	Muscular development drills are done as part of the fitness training. Referees shown here doing lunges across the field.

The 2007 Education Sessions are now complete. We had 5 education sessions in total, utilitzing the knowledge and experience of fully qualified FIFA, and National Instructors. We would like to thank all the instructors for making this years sessions successful, especially those who came from out of town. Also, thanks to those who made the effort to come out and participated in the sessions. Check out the photos from our education sessions.		National Referee, Isaac Raymond wraps up the 2007 education sessions with a presentation on Referee Positioning.

Joe Agnew teaches a room full of referees about Law 12 - Fouls and Misconducts at Wheable Adult Center for Education on Thursday April 26th. This was the associations 4th session of the year.	Joe Agnew shown here with member Andrew Wiles. Andrew had a perfect score on his test and was given a FIFA pin by Mr. Agnew. This pin had been given to Mr. Agnew by former FIFA President Jao Havalange.	Referees watch carefully to players committing fouls and misconducts and have to decide whether or not they would just award a free kick, caution the player or send the player off.


Peter T. Johnson, retired FIFA Referee and current FIFA, CSA and CONCACAF Instructor teaches referees about their Powers and Duties.	Referees listen carefully to Mr. Johnston during one of the association educations sessions.