Canadian Soccer Association Awards

The Canadian Soccer Association has announced its 2008 award winners. Recognised this weekend are President’s Award (outstanding and unique efforts for an extended period of time), the Award of Merit (significant contribution to soccer), the Ray Morgan Memorial Award (referee progress at national and international levels) and the International Achievement Award (five-consecutive years on FIFA List of Referees and Assistant Referees).



“The Association is proud to honour this year’s award winners,” says Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli. “Each and every one of them has made valuable contributions to the growth and development of our game.”



President’s Award

Ben Lake has a long and distinguished career in soccer at the local, provincial and national levels. He is a member of four halls of fame: the Newfoundland Labrador Sports Hall of Fame, the Newfoundland Labrador Soccer Hall of Fame, the St. John’s Soccer Hall of Fame, and the Burin Peninsula Soccer Hall of Fame. He has played a big part in bringing events to his province and in 1975 was named the first-ever winner of his province’s sports executive of the year award. He played a big part in the 1977 Canada Games (soccer), the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in his province in 1985, and the FIFA U-16 World Cup Canada 1987.



Award of Merit

Judi Kelloway has been a key figure in national, provincial and community soccer for 14 years. At the national level, she has been a member of the competitions committee since 1999, has served on the female committee, and represented the Canadian Soccer Association at six national championships. She is a two-time winner of the provincial soccer executive of the year award and one-time winner of the sports executive of the year. At the community level, she was worked for Burin Peninsula Soccer since 1995.



Ed Moyst was a founding member of the Mount Pearl Soccer Association and its first Chairman starting in 1973. He has been a club executive ever since and has acted as Chairman (twice), Vice Chairman, and Administrator. He played a key role in starting the popular girls league. On the pitch, Ed holds three technical coaching certificates and class two officials certificate. In 1988, he was Technical Chairman for soccer at the Summer Games in Newfoundland Labrador. As a player with Feildian Soccer Club from 1958 through 1971, he won an Atlantic Challenge Cup and several junior and senior provincial championships.



Brian Murphy is already a recognised member of three halls of fame: the Newfoundland Labrador Sports Hall of Fame, the Newfoundland Labrador Soccer Hall of Fame, and the St. John’s Soccer Hall of Fame. He is also a three-time national champion representing his province: in 1974 with Memorial University, in 1977 at the Canada Summer Games, and in 1988 with Holy Cross (Challenge Trophy). In his home province, he has been named top coach (1988) and top sports executive (2005). He also won the National Volunteer Award in 2007.



Trevor Paine has been involved in Newfoundland Labrador Soccer for more than 20 years, counting 15 of those as Labrador East Director for the provincial association. He has been a technical director since 2001 and has been instrumental in spreading all-star programs throughout the province. Since settling in Newfoundland Labrador in 1982, he has been president of Happy Valley-Goose Bay Minor Soccer Association. He serves on a large number of committees, including the board of directors of Sport Newfoundland Labrador.



Alan Ross has instituted a professional approach to soccer within the province of Newfoundland Labrador since his arrival from Liverpool in 1970. He was part of Memorial University’s Faculty of Physical Education for more than 20 seasons, providing influence at the local, provincial and national levels. He won an intercollegiate national title (1970) and three Atlantic Intercollegiate titles. In 1974, he helped Newfoundland Labrador’s youth all-star club win the Canadian championship.



Brian Walsh has dedicated more than 35 years to soccer in Newfoundland Labrador. A player throughout the 1970s, he has since been involved as one of the finest officials in the province. He received his National Referees Badge in 1988 and achieved the provincial instructor’s badge in 1991. He became Newfoundland Labrador’s Director of Officials in 1994 and spent seven years elevating the profession in his province. Brian has also been a coach in his community (winning the intermediate “A” championship in 2005) and business manager for the NLSA.



Ray Morgan Memorial Award

Denise Robinson was a FIFA assistant referee from 2000 to 2007, receiving numerous appointments on the international stage. Starting her international career at just 28 years old, she took part in the 2000 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, the FIFA Women’s U-19 World Championship Canada 2002, and the XIV Pan American Games Santo Domingo 2003. She also was appointed to the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003 and the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004. In 2006, she officiated in her final major tournament, the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.



International Achievement Award

Denise Robinson (see above)



Amato DeLuca was first appointed as a FIFA Assistant Referee in 2001, earning his first appointment in May 2002. Over the years, he has received numerous appointments on the international stage, including games at the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers, CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship, and the Pan-American Games. In 2006, he was selected to be a member of the Major League Soccer assistant referees pool. In 2007, his final year before retirement, he was an assistant referee in the Superliga Finals.