The Ottawa Royals Soccer Club enjoyed another successful year in 2008. The Royals grew to almost 2000 members with a total of 31 competitive youth teams, over 800 youth house league players, 8 co-ed teams, 19 senior teams and 4 women’s house league teams.
Several Senior teams earned promotion for the 2009 Outdoor season. The Men’s Competitive Division 3 (MC3) Ukraina Royals, Men’s Recreational Division 2 (MR2) and Women’s’ Recreational Division 4 (WR4 Red) all earned to right to be promoted. The Women’s Premier team won their division and the Bob Rathwell Cup (formerly the Ottawa Cup). They also made it to the semi finals of the Ontario Cup. Several other Senior teams had strong results, finishing near the top of their respective divisions.
On the Youth side several teams had a successful year and will be moving up a division next year. For the first time since the formation of the Regional Division, the Ottawa Royals will have both a U12 Boys and U12 Girls entry at the Regional level. The U10 Boys Premier team won their division, topping all U10 Boys teams in the city. The U10 Girls Division 1 team won their division as did the U12 Girls White Division 1 team. The U14 Boys Division 1 team earned a hard fought first place in their division while the U18 Boys Premier team had a perfect season going 14-0-0. Honourable mention goes to the U14 Girls Regional and U17 Boys Regional teams that finished a strong second in their respective divisions.
At the Royals’ Annual General Meeting, held on October 26, 2008, the budget was approved with some changes to the Outdoor 2009 fees. Senior fees remain at 2008 levels except for an added $5 fee due to an OSA fee increase. Youth fees were increased slightly from 2008 levels. The increase is $15 across the board and is due to the aforementioned OSA fee increase and the addition of a number of club coaches.
The club coaches are senior, experienced Royals coaches who already work with their own team. They have been asked to take on additional responsibilities to mentor newer, less experienced coaches and from time to time, work with these coaches and their team. Club coaches will receive a modest remuneration to cover their expenses.
Online registration for Outdoor 2009 will be available starting January 14, 2009 at the latest. Remember all competitive players must be registered and paid in full in order to attend the tryouts. Fees for the various categories are:
- Mini (U9-U11) - $330*
- Youth Competitive Division 1 - $340*
- Youth Premier and Regional - $380*
- Senior Competitive - $315**
- Senior Recreational - $230
- Oldtimers - $270**
- Women’s House League mini field - $125 (fee increases after March 15)
* - includes tryout fee ($40)
** - includes indoor evaluation sessions ($15)
After March 31st the fees increase by $25. In addition anyone wishing to register manually (offline) will pay an administration fee of $20. Please contact the club to obtain a paper registration form. Anyone registering for a competitive team who does not make one of the competitive teams will receive a prompt refund of all fees paid minus a $40 ($35 for senior competitive players) tryout fee.
Youth House League players must contact Dovercourt Recreation Association for registration and payment information.
Tryouts for youth competitive teams (U9-U18) and senior competitive teams will be held commencing March 21, 2009. Some teams have scheduled exhibition games, gym sessions or other pre-tryout training. Exact times and location will be made available on the club’s website or by contacting the club or coach directly.
A kick about for all oldtimers teams will be held April 22, April 29 and May 6 from 8-9pm. The exact schedule will be posted on the club’s website. The kick about should be attended by all interested oldtimers players and is automatically included in the oldtimers fee.
Proposed teams for 2009 include: Men's and Women’s Premier, MC1 (Men’s Competitive Division 1), MC2 (2 teams), MR1 (Men’s Recreational Division 1 – 3 teams), MR4, MR5, WR3, (Women’s Recreational Division 3), WR4, WR5, WR6, Old-timers 2, 3 (2 teams), 4, and 5, Over 50 (new Division for 2009), Youth Boys U9 through U18, Girls U9 through U16.
When registering this year parents of youth players will not be able to choose the “I do not wish to volunteer” option. This option has been replaced with “Volunteer –Kickin’ in the Capital Tournament”. All families of children playing in the Royals tournament are required to volunteer in some capacity. This can involve as little as 2 or 3 hours field marshalling or a bigger commitment if you wish to help with registration, score keeping, convening or running a concession. As always the Ottawa Royals are looking for coaches, team managers, referees and committee members. Last year the Ottawa Royals Soccer Club held a very successful series of Community coaching sessions and we will be holding them again in the spring. Anyone interested in finding out more, should contact the club at admin@ottawaroyals.ca.
A new feature has been added to the online registration process for youth players. You will be able to order and pre-pay Loblaws grocery gift cards. The Loblaws gift card program is an excellent fundraiser for the club. Every dollar purchased earns the club between 2-5% depending on amount purchased and method of payment. The money earned from the sale of gift cards will be spent on youth programs such as winter development, spring training, coaching clinics and more. And the best part of this program is – it costs the members nothing. For every dollar spent you receive gift cards in the same amount. Loblaws gift cards can be used at: Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Independent Grocer, and other grocery chains outside the Ottawa area. Gift cards will be made available as soon as payment has been received.
The 2009 Executive looks forward to working with you in another successful year ahead.
