Draft minutes for approval at the November 2019 Annual General Meeting

North Soccer Club Annual General Meeting Monday, November 26, 2018 Northern District Library, Toronto

1. Call to Order

The Chair of the Board of Director, Michael Eubanks, opened the meeting. The meeting was duly constituted with quorum and declared open for business at 6:51pm.

Invited guests were introduced: Deryck Williams and Paul Joakim, Grant Thornton

2. Approval of Minutes- November 27, 2017 AGM Motion to accept – Mike Ruthard Seconded – Peter Ellement Motion Carried

3. Board Reports & Business

President and Chair of Board – Michael Eubanks

• The youth soccer environment in Canada is ever-changing. Clubs are challenged to continually invest in higher standards of player, coach, match official and club development. Within this dynamic environment North Toronto Soccer Club has achieved considerable success in terms of programs offered; players being identified for provincial, national and pro Academy teams; and on-field success in leagues and cups. • The top priority of the Board is to consistently provide quality programs in our community at all levels of youth soccer. This will be achieved by maintaining a quality, sustainable infrastructure – governance, financial stability, management, staff and facilities. • The club’s financial position is strong, partly as a result of more efficient utilization of coaching resources and facilities. This will be more thoroughly discussed in the Report of the Finance Committee. 2

• NTSC has continued to implement the Strategic Plan developed by the Board in 2017 and presented at last year’s AGM, addressing these 4 major objectives :

1. Grassroots Participation . The club has recognized that families are seeking a variety of levels of soccer commitment as they also sample other sports and activities. . For families wishing to focus more heavily on soccer, there is a higher demand for intensive, year-round training and correspondingly less interest in recreational soccer once a week (twice a week in the Spring) . Accordingly, the club has provided increased capacity in terms of qualified coaches and facilities.

2. Consistent Access to Fields and Facilities . Substantial additional quality field time has been secured, including 1/3 more indoor turf hours on a multi-year basis . Additional opportunities for longer-term agreements are being explored.

3. Fundraising . Player fees continue to represent nearly 99% of club revenues. It is important to supplement this with non-fee revenue. - In 2018, sponsors fee revenue increased significantly, particularly in the competitive teams . To access potential revenue from donations and grants, the club has explored the possibility of establishing an associated charitable foundation. This effort has been successful, and will be discussed later in the meeting.

4. Staffing & Volunteers . The club has invested significantly in the development of staff coaches - Canada Soccer had introduced the new Canada Children’s License for coaches working with players up to U12. There are 24 club coaches from across Canada who took this 2-week course, of whom 8 are NTSC coaches. - Several other club coaches have upgraded their qualifications . NTSC is also investing in courses for volunteer coaches . Volunteer engagement is also being encouraged through increased access to TFC and Canada Women’s Team game tickets and on-field participation opportunities

• A new Master Plan was proposed this past year, with 3 options. NTSC proposed to planners, Councillor and baseball organization that a 4th option for the park plan be considered, maximizing sports field use. With an election and new ward boundaries, there is a new Councillor o • NTSC has been very involved in the community, including increased connections with the community

3

• Going forward o To prepare for the next stage of development, NTSC has applied for the new Canada Soccer National Youth Club License. o NTSC will continue to operate quality programs from U4 through U21 o We will continue to connect with our membership through meetings and surveys to determine program needs and the best possible execution. o Increasingly, as a larger number of highly-talented players are developed through our programs, NTSC will be helping to open up opportunities for scholarships and professional team academies. o The club will offer increased opportunities and support to players who wish to gain experience as coaches and match officials. o While providing a high level of programming, coaching and facilities, NTSC will strive to keep program fees reasonable, with good value provided for the money.

Finance & Audit Committee – Mike Ruthard, Treasurer • Copies of the Audited Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2018 were distributed to the members. • Each program stream runs an operating profit, which has not always been the case • The biggest expenses for NTSC are field expenses and technical services, each accounting for about 1/3 of costs o The strong technical staff and the access to the amount and quality of fields distinguishes NTSC and creates the best environment for success • NTSC’s finances are in a good position; the club is poised to move forward • It is important to note that the registrations for the recreational program are declining, NTSC must be mindful of this

4. Appointment of Auditors • Motion to appoint Grant Thornton LLP as auditors for NTSC for the year ending September 30, 2019 Motion to appoint by Reg Watson Seconded by Michael Eubanks Motion carried

5. Staff Reports – Doug Blair, Executive Director • Club Enhancements o Canada Soccer and Soccer will be implementing a new version OPDL in the future o CSL (Central Soccer League) is now a standards-based league at U13 o Canada Soccer will be modifying provincial licences to be overseen by the national governing body • Registration in youth team sports is lower across North America and in all sports o Recreational League needs to change to meet the needs of parents and children o The select team enrolment has increased significantly

4

• Recreational Program challenges o Keeping children engaged and interested o Achieving consistency in coaching assignments o Improving attendance of players • The indoor Train-to-be-a-Nitro program has continued to be successful and enrolment has increased. With the higher enrolment in Select and Train-to-be-a- Nitro, other indoor development camps are down in registrations. • NTSC subsidized $150,000 for players from low-income families in recreational, grassroots development, competitive, and high-performance programs. • Facilities o Indoor facilities: 1/3 more field space o Summer Academy will be utilizing Eglinton Park except for OPDL weeks, more accessible and provides access to indoor facilities and shelter o Field costs . Most Toronto turf fields are privately owned/operated Park outdoor turf = $150/hr+19.50 HST; others are higher . Costs outside of Toronto are much lower - In the City of Vaughan in 2018 a turf field cost $20/hr - HST on Toronto turf fields = the total cost of a Vaughan field • NTSC from 2008 to 2018 o The club has grown from 3,700 members to 5,200; the number of programs has expanded; fields and hours available have increased, especially on turf o Revenue is 4 times higher o Player development . In 2008 NTSC was ranked #73 amongst Ontario clubs . In 2018, NTSC is the #1 in Ontario in the number of players selected for provincial teams • Thank you to the technical staff, volunteers, parents, capable office staff and especially the players who have made NTSC one of the top clubs in Ontario • Thank you to Patricia MacOdrum, retiring board member

Staff Report- Technical Overview- Billy Wilson, Technical Director • Joined NTSC in March 2018 o Wanted to join the club because of the access to resources and the potential opportunities to grow and develop • Once having had the opportunity to learn about the club, set about creating: o Defining a Technical Philosophy o Robust Staff Structure o Operationalize Technical Plan • Technical Philosophy o North Toronto Soccer Club is committed to developing excellent soccer players and outstanding individuals in an inclusive and FUN environment! o “As many as possible, for as long as possible, in the best environment possible”

5

• Technical Pillars of North Toronto Soccer Club o Long Term Player Development . Adaptation from Canada Soccer . Player first . Driven by research . Appropriate programs and soccer environments based on the age and skill level (accessible grassroots development programs) . Enhanced curriculum . Specialist coaches (certified) o Long Term Coach Development . Managerial specialization . Increased mentorship & on field support . Professional development opportunities o Membership Engagement . Age group & team presentations . NTSC News Desk . Ongoing data collection through surveys . Transparency with parents for the process • Robust Staff Structure o Manager of Recreational Soccer, Nicolas Hurtado o Manager Grassroots Development, Tom Waud o Manager Player Development, Marc Maunder o Manager, Competitive Soccer, Hermann Kingue o Head Goal Keeping Coach, Justine Bernier o Summer Academy Director, Marko Milanovic

6. Proposed Amendments to Constitution • Circulated prior to the meeting and available at the meeting Moved by Peter Rizakos Seconded by Peter Ellement Approved

7. Elections • There are 3 positions on the 7-person Board of Director for which terms end effective at the AGM. There were 4 nominations. The 4 candidates were introduced.

Peter Ellement Beth McCharles Peter Rizakos Patrick Savoy

• The 3 board members elected are: Peter Ellement, Beth McCharles and Peter Rizakos.

6

8. North Toronto Sports Foundation- Reg Watson, Chair of the Foundation • CRA has recently approved the Charity status • Steven Leftwick will be the accountant for the Foundation o His daughter Naomi created a draft outline for creating a Foundation and presented it to the Board; the board used this to begin the process for the creation of the Foundation • Mark Blumberg’s law firm advised on the process of creating the foundation and obtaining charitable status. • The founding Board members were all previously on the NTSC Board: Dave Brown Carita Sheehy Reg Watson • The main objectives of the foundation are to award scholarships to players, support the Special Olympics program and to aid in funding for field projects. • The North Toronto Sports Foundation will work with NTSC o Contracts for the guidelines and structure are in place

9. Hall of Fame Honourees – presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards and inducted into the North Toronto Soccer Club Hall of Fame by NTSC Chair, Michael Eubanks • Carita Sheehy o Mother of 3 sons on Nitros team which she managed o Member of Board of Directors for 5 years o Member of Competitive Committee for 8 years, 2 as Chair o Created Manager’s Handbook and mentored dozens of team managers • Peter Cockett o Father of 5 NTSC players, 4 on Nitros teams which he coached o Member of Board of Directors for 6 years o Chair of Competitive Committee for 6 years o Wrote competitive policies and much of the website content

10. 7:58 pm Michael Eubanks announced the conclusion of the AGM.