Denoncourt Named To Referee Post With CSA

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced the appointment of FIFA referee Sonia Denoncourt to the newly-formed position of Community Referee Development Coordinator, responsible for the development of referees at the grass roots level. Denoncourt, who will continue to pursue her international refereeing career, will assume her new duties in early April.

Denoncourt is one of Canada’s most recognizable referees having worked most recently at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where she earned the honor of officiating the women’s Gold Medal Match between the United States and Norway. The native of Sherbrooke, Quebec also officiated at the 1995 and 1999 Women’s World Cups as well as the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

“We believe this appointment is a tremendous one for the Association,” said CSA President Jim Fleming. “Ms. Denoncourt is one of the most famous female referees in the world and is arguably one of the finest officials Canada has ever produced. This move to expand community referee development is in accordance with the principles of the “Blueprint for Success” and responds to many comments and concerns expressed in group discussions in various parts of the country last year on that subject. It is our expectation that the position will have a meaningful impact on the long-term outlook of our referee program.”

A graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Masters in Sports Administration, Denoncourt is currently teaching Physical Education in Ste. Sophie, Quebec. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from the University of Sherbrooke. Denoncourt will be interviewed on CTV Sportsnet’s Soccer Central this Saturday, February 24.

“It’s very exciting for me to work with the CSA and it is a great honor,” said Denoncourt. “ I believe there is a big challenge in front of me which I will take on with the best of my abilities. I’m really looking forward to it.”