Interview with Canadian Soccer Association's Media Manager Richard Scott

by Harmit Singh Kamboe

Please tell us about the specific goals and objectives that the CSA works towards?

Our main objectives are for Canada to be recognized as a major soccer nation, to showcase Canadian footballers as role models with positive values not only as footballers but also as human beings and of course to improve abilities of all soccer players from the ground up.
In addition to this we have short term goals like winning medals and qualifying and doing well at the major soccer tournaments across the world. These objectives of course keep changing based on the event that the different Canadian teams prepare for.
Finding and nurturing sponsors and sponsorship deals is also one of our objectives, given that sponsorship income is a critical part of our finances.
Each year FIFA sets aside some days in a year for international matches or friendly matches. Canada Soccer organizes matches on these dates so that the national team gets to play and practise together.

What specific goals and objectives does CSA see as the task of the Provincial (State) Soccer Associations?

While CSA looks after the national team, the Provinces (States) look after organizing and popularizing the game within their domain. The provinces and the National federation always work together as a team.

How do the Provincial (State) Soccer Associations and the CSA work towards common goals and objectives?

The CSA has a 19 person elected Board of Directors comprising the President, two Vice-Presidents and six elected Directors, 11 Provincial and Territorial Directors. Having a set up of this nature allows for the national body to be representative and ensures that each Province is heard.

What was the intent of bringing the FIFA U20 World Cup to Canada?

Children and fans always relate to role models. Our intention in bringing the FIFA Under-20 World Cup to Canada was to sustain and build on the existing excitement around soccer in Canada.
I remember when I was growing up how I would look upto the soccer stars of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto Blizzards. Today with healthy coverage of the Toronto FC players and perhaps more importantly TV coverage of other Canadian soccer players in US based MLS clubs and other overseas clubs, kids get a dose of soccer every week end. And that is great for the game of soccer.
1987 was the first time that Canada hosted a major soccer tournament - FIFA Under-16 World Cup. Once you host an event well, it becomes easier to lobby for additional events. Since then we have hosted the FIFA Under-19 Women's World Cup, and are also bidding for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011.

What are some of the other things that CSA has planned to make soccer a bigger part of the life of an average Canadian?

2007 was a very big year for soccer in Canada. First we had Toronto FC joining the MLS and all of their games along with other MLS games got TV coverage. Then we had the FIFA U20 World Cup, where we had 1 million attendees (double of what was expected). And now with David Beckham also a part of the MLS, things are only going to get better and bigger in terms of the impact of soccer on the average Canadian.

Are there any specific programs that CSA runs that target women's and youth football?

Yes, we run both general programs as well as some gender and youth specific programs. The partnership with Winners (apparel chain store) is an example of where we have a sponsor that addresses both the Women's national team and youth soccer.
The multi-year partnership will allow Winners to help grow the game of soccer at the grassroots level while also act as a title sponsor for Canada's Women's senior team and Women's youth (U-20) team. Winners, with the help of its Employee Teams across the country, will play a large role in promoting this program.
One of the highlights to the partnership is the Little Winners Sharp Shooters program. This program, which will roll out at Winners stores across Canada, will help recognize kids that participate in the sport at the local level. Another highlight is the Soccer Moms and Dads program, recognizing local parents and their efforts to keep kids active through soccer.
By 2010, Winners will be sponsoring 225 grassroots soccer teams across Canada (providing them with uniforms). The Canadian Soccer Association, meanwhile, will welcome Little Winners youth escorts to accompany the team captains at home international matches.

Given that some teams from Canada are in the MLS and the USL, does the CSA work with the MLS and USL at any level?

North America has had more than a 100 year of history where American and Canadian teams have taken part in the same league, notably in Baseball, Ice Hockey and Basketball.
While private businesses lead the initiative, the CSA sanctions each MLS game played in Canada as all soccer games in Canada all under its purview.
We are now actively working towards a Champions Cup in 2009 where the top clubs from the US, Mexico and Canada can play together in a similar concept to the European Champions League.
Canada does have its own leagues but the MLS is one of North America's premier leagues and we encourage more Canadian teams/franchises to be a part of it.

David Beckham signing for the LA Galaxy has already made major headlines across the US and given Soccer a new platform in the US. Do you think that the Beckham effect will also have any influence on Soccer in Canada?

Yes, he already has had a tremendous impact. All one has to do is to look at season ticket sales at the MLS clubs, number of LA Galaxy jerseys sold and of course potential viewer interest both on TV and in person.
With Canada and the US having common sporting leagues, there will continue to be a positive spin off from Beckham into Canada with respect to soccer.

Many, many thanks for taking time and granting us this interview!

In addition to the interview above, I was also able to glean the following facts from the web site of the CSA (http://www.canadasoccer.com):

Annual budget & Source of funding for Canadian Soccer Association (CSA)

The annual budget for the CSA is approximately $ 13 million.
Membership fees from provinces (States) are the single biggest source of income for the national body. They account for slightly more than 50% of the receipts. When each players registers for soccer anywhere in Canada, built into those fees is a portion that goes to the Provincial Soccer federation and a portion that goes to the national Federation, the CSA. Currently there are slightly more than 800,000 registered soccer players in Canada. Of course the vast majority play in amateur and recreational leagues. But it is important to have mass participation as that creates the fans that ultimately determine if a sport thrives or not.
The second most important source for revenue for the CSA is sponsorship and donations. This is followed by grants from Sport Canada and other sources of income.
All the financial statements are audited by a top tier auditing firm and are published online.

Main areas that CSA spends it funds on

The single largest areas of expenditure for the CSA are the different national teams (Men's, women's and of course he different age specific teams for both). Within this, the focus each year varies on the type of the tournament/contests coming up.
The CSA has 27 full time employees, various domestic tournaments that have to organize and the National Training Centre that account for other areas of expenditure.