Denoncourt Accepts Role with FIFA

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association will be losing one of its most valuable resources in November.



FIFA has announced the hiring of former Canadian international referee Sonia Denoncourt, one of the most respected FIFA officials and certainly one of the best officials to ever represent Canada. Denoncourt is expected to assume her new role with FIFA in early December.



“This is a superb opportunity for Sonia and we certainly wish her the best in this new and exciting role,” said Andy Sharpe, President of the Canadian Soccer Association. “In this case, Canada loses one of its most prized resources but in turn, FIFA gains perhaps the most recognizable female officials in the game.”



Denoncourt will take over the newly formed ‘Women’s Referee Development’ program for soccer’s world governing body and will be based at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.



“I feel extremely honored and fortunate to have been offered such a wonderful position at FIFA – it is a dream come true,” said Denoncourt. “Working with FIFA, the greatest sport organization in the World, represents such an honor and I am very grateful to get this lifetime opportunity.”



Prior to accepting the position with FIFA, Denoncourt was the Director of Referee Development for the Canadian Soccer Association since her hiring in April 2001.



Denoncourt is certainly no stranger to FIFA. The 41-year-old Sherbrooke native has been in the middle of some of the biggest games in Women’s soccer – the 2003 Women’s World Cup Semi-final between Germany and USA; the 2000 Olympic Final in Sydney, Australia as well as matches in the 1996 Atlanta Games, and the 1995 and 1999 Women’s World Cup.



She was also nominated as a FIFA Instructor in early January 2004 and has worked for FIFA as both a referee instructor and administrator at several major tournaments and events since that nomination.



“I wish to thank the Canadian Soccer Association for their unconditional support during my career, as well as the Quebec Soccer Federation which I grew up with. Soccer allowed me to make so many friends and I thank them all for their friendship. I hope that I have provided leadership, motivation, vision and inspiration, direction and support during my time at the CSA.”





Earlier this year, Denoncourt was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame – a year after she had been inducted into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame.