Scarborough Soccer Referees' Association

last updated: January 28th 2012

The Scarborough Branch was founded on the 17^th April 1972 as the Scarborough and
District Minor Soccer Referees Association, with an annual membership fee of $5.00.
The branch affiliated with the O.S.R.A on December 9^th 1973. In November of 1977
at the A.G.M, the name was changed to the Soccer Referees Association.
In 1996 at the A.G.M the name was changed to the Scarborough
Soccer Referees’ Association, Branch of the
Ontario Soccer Referees Association.

Three generations of Soccer Referees.

Congratulations to Sturgeon and the Martin family

What happens in this family stays in this family and so it is with refereeing

Cicero wrote: “Great deeds are not done by strength or speed or physique: they are the products of thought, and character and judgement. And far from diminishing, such qualities actually increase with age.” A shining example of this is Sturgeon Martin.

Before Sturgeon became a soccer referee, he was associated with the Scarborough Maple Leaf Soccer Club. Sturgeon and Henry Helou enjoyed many successful years as Coach and Manager. In 1982 he took and passed the referee’s exam. Over the past 31 years, he gained a wealth of knowledge and experience which he shared happily with many younger referees. Some are still refereeing today. As a scheduler, he assigned and mentored young referees in the District of Scarborough. Sturgeon is winding down his refereeing career for some time now, and is handing over the reign to his three sons, Franz, Paul and Brent who are the 2^nd generation. In 2011 the 3^rd generation emerged on the refereeing scene in the form of his grand daughter, (Kahra Martin) the daughter of his son Paul. During this time the Martin family have accumulated approximately 90 years of refereeing. This is a very significant accomplishment and needs to be recognised

Sturgeon is an asset to referees in general and the District of Scarborough. He continues to work with young referees.

Congratulations to Ramee on his Promotion to Provincial Status in the Providence of Ontario. At the age of 21 Ramee has the distinction of being the youngest referee in the District of Scarborough ever to have accomplished this. Ramee was promoted in December 2009 by OSA

Congratulations to Fabrizio Stasolla who is the first recipient of the 2009 Scarborough Soccer Association Scholarship Award. Fabrizio is one of many young referees in the Scarborough Soccer Referees Association
and a member in good standing. This award was introduced in 2008

Our first elected Executive were: President-J. Peacock. Vice President-G. Della Pia. Secretary-B. Garrod. Treasurer-I McKenna.

The position of Hon. Life Member was established to honor those Referees who have worked hard in making the Scarborough Branch one of the best in Ontario. They are Joe Peacock, (Joe passed away in 2003)Bill Gallacher, John O’Donnell, Ian Cardey and Ernest Craig.

Don Pearce is the longest serving President of our branch. His term started in 1984 and ended in 1993, a total of 10 consecutive years as President. Don joined the branch in 1974. He continues to be an active branch member and has served in other positions such as Education Officer and District Referee Coordinator.

Ian Cardey was the longest serving Secretary of our branch. Ian served a total of eight years as Secretary. He also served an additional four years as Vice-President. Ian joined the branch in 1978 and retired from active refereeing in 1998.

Ernie Craig was the longest serving Treasurer of our branch. His term started in 1984 and ended in 1992, a total of 9 consecutive years. Ernie joined the branch in 1974 and retired in 2000.

35 Plus Years of Service - Honour Roll

The following referees are recognized for their 35 plus years of active service with the Scarborough Branch.
John and Bob McAlister

The Honour Roll
30-Years Service Achievement

The following branch members have achieved 30-years of continuous service with our branch and the Refereeing Community of Scarborough:- Gord Arrowsmith 2002 (Gord left the branch in 2003) , John McAlister 2002, Michele Lamacchia 2003, Bob McAlister 2004. Don Pearce 2004, Don Cameron 2005.(Don passed away in May of 2005) (2007 John McInall) Henry Helou 1980, Leslie Wong 1981, Basil Gill 1981 (Basil passed away on November 21st 2010)

25-Years Service Achievement

The following branch members have achieved 25-years of continuous service with our branch and the Refereeing Community of Scarborough:- Bob McAlister1999, Donald Pearce 1999, John McInall 2003,( Henry Helou 2004, Harry DiCiacca 2004, Robert Cruise 2004,) (2005 Basil Gill, Kurt Kornfehl and Leslie Wong ) (2007 Sturgeon Martin and Italo deBlasis)

Family Accomplishment

This year 2005 will mark another historical moment in the history of our Branch. John McAllister and his son Bob McAllister have accomplished 33 and 31 years of continuous service to the soccer community of Scarborough and the Province of Ontario.
This is a unique accomplishment and should not go unrecognized.
Congratulations to both of them, as far as I know, this is the first father and son
"team" to achieve this distinct honor.

John now resides in Barrie and Bob in Ajax. They both have remained faithful to the branch.
Accomplishment of this type does not come along often, congratulations
on this very special and historic occasion.