Annual General Meeting& WORKSHOP
2025 Annual General Meeting
We invite you to attend the Ohio Soccer Association Annual General Meeting (AGM). We are looking forward to your participation and representation of your club or league!
- Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
- Time: 1:30pm [Check-in at 1pm] [Please note the AGM is part of the OSA Workshop, which is an all-day event]
- Location: Marriott Columbus OSU | 3100 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202
- Virtual Option: Will be available
Online Registration [OPEN]
All primary or alternate delegates must be registered using the above link by January 1, 2025.
Part of the AGM includes Board Elections. Please select the BOD Elections tab to the left for more information about candidates, or see information below about voting eligibility.
The following positions are up for election:
- District 6
- District 7
In conjunction with our AGM, we are excited to host our annual OSA Workshop. Use the navigation to the left for more information.
Who is eligible to vote?
Current 2024-2025 Ohio Soccer Association members in good standing will be eligible to vote as OSA Full Members. To find the list of current full members, click here. All allocation of votes will be based on the voting structure identified in the Code of Regulations, Article VIII, Section 3.
The number of votes that each club or league is allotted will be determined on the number of players that are currently registered and paid for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 seasonal year
Each member in good standing shall register its primary and alternate delegates to the AGM no later than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. A Full Member may not designate a current member of the Board of Directors as a delegate.
Please visit the BOD Elections section to the left to view number of votes per member per district.
How do clubs or leagues get votes?
The votes are based off the number of paid registrations to your club or league.
Are we allowed to split up our votes between our board members for clubs or leagues?
Yes. The allocation of votes will be based on the voting structure identified in the Code of Regulations (COR). A member may allocate its total number of votes to one delegate or up to a number equal to their vote count. For example, if a member has 3 votes, they may designate one(1), two (2), or three (3) delegates to vote. The member may also apportion the weighting of their votes to the delegate as they choose. For example, if a member has 4 votes and designates two (2) delegates, the member may allocate three (3) to one delegate and one (1) to the other. All primary and alternate delegates must be registered by January 1, 2024 at 5pm.
Questions
Please contact Jessica Eberle with any questions at jeberle@ohio-soccer.org or 330-667-0855.
2024 Ohio Soccer Association Board of Directors Elections
The Ohio Soccer Association Board of Directors elections will be conducted pursuant to Article IX of the OSA Code of Regulations.
An elected officer or director will serve for a period of three (3) years, except as otherwise noted in the Code of Regulations and/or the OSA Agreement and Plan of Merger Recitals for the first OSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and will assume office at the close of the AGM.
Click here to find the current Board of Directors.
Click here (coming soon) for a breakdown of eligible votes per member by district.
The OSA Officers and Directors seats up for election in 2025 are:
Candidates:
Greg Hirschauer [pdf]
Candidates:
Zach Breth [pdf]
Declaring Candidacy
To run for the position of District 6 or District 7, please submit an approved form for OSA Candidacy by Wednesday, January 1.
- 2024 OSA Board of Directors Candidacy Application [OPEN]
At least fifteen (15) days before the date of the meeting, a proposed agenda with copies of the report of officers and any items proposed to be considered at the meeting will be sent out to the membership.
Who is eligible to be elected to the OSA Board of Directors?
Any individual can run for the position District Director. The only restriction is that the candidate cannot be a paid employee of OSA.
Candidates for the position of President or Vice President must also have previously served on the board of directors of a US Youth Soccer State Association for a minimum of 2 years.
Elections
- Nominations from the floor are not allowed, unless there are no candidates for an office, either Statewide Officer or as a District Director, to be elected.
- The President and Vice President are elected by the membership in a statewide election.
- The District Directors are elected from each of the designated seven (7) OSA districts.
Voting
Click here [coming soon] for a breakdown of eligible votes per member by district.
Questions
Please contact Jessica Eberle with any questions at jeberle@ohio-soccer.org or 330-667-0855.
February 1 | Historic Crew Stadium & Marriott Columbus OSU
This is a free event. Scroll down to see descriptors for each session.
CREATE YOUR PLAN
Select what you’d like to attend from either classroom or field sessions. We have labeled them by:
= Grassroots Session 
= Competitive Session 
= Coach Session
The Annual General Meeting will begin at 2pm at the Marriott.
Classroom Sessions
Classroom sessions will be located at the Marriott Columbus OSU (3100 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43202).
9:00 AM
TOSA: The Ohio Sports Association Overview
Presenter: Jen Fickett & Denzil Antonio, OSA Member Services
Click here for session description • Room: Ohio A
Competitive Club Roundtable: Streamlining Administrative Processes
Panel: Lisa Hausser (Cincinnati United), Ron Hughes (Kolping SC), John Camp (Butler United), Ben Barrett (Anthony Wayne United), Amy Gonzales (Olimpia USA)
Click here for session description • Room: Ohio B
U.S. Soccer Leadership Course: Club Technical Leadership Course Overview
Presenter: Tom Condone, USYS Chief Soccer Officer
Click here for session description • Room: Olentangy A
GotSport Basics 101: Streamlining Your Rec League for Spring & Beyond
Presenter(s): GotSport Staff
Click here for session description • Room: Olentangy B
Grassroots Referee Administration: Introduction to Officiating Soccer Overview
Presenter: Dan Cataldi, Iowa Soccer CEO
Click here for session description • Room: Franklin B
U.S. Soccer Coach for Community (2 Hrs)
Presenter: Blake Decker, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Room: Franklin C
10:00 AM
Safeguarding Your Organization
Presenter: Josh Opiola, Injure Free Senior VP
Click here for session description • Room: Ohio A
Grassroots Roundtable: Best Practices for Rec Leagues
Panel: Aftan Dewese (Ada/BSSL), Bryan Detty (Huber Heights), Ashley Bryant (Gahanna), Ammi Jamerson (ESSL)
Click here for session description • Room: Ohio B
Competitive Coach Development: Columbus Crew Development Model
Presenter: Brian Rodriguez, Crew U13-U14 Academy Head Coach
Click here for session description • Room: Olentangy A
GotSport Tryout Registration: Preparing for the 2025/2026 Season
Presenter(s): GotSport Staff
Click here for session description • Room: Olentangy B
Grassroots Referee Practical Session: RDP Introduction to Officiating Soccer
Presenter: Hidajet Tica, Iowa Soccer Referee & Sportsmanship Director
Click here for session description • Room: Franklin B
U.S. Soccer Coach for Community (cont.)
Presenter: Blake Decker, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Room: Franklin C
11:00 AM
OSA Insurance Benefits: Understanding & Optimizing Your Insurance Coverage
Presenter: Dan Pullen, Players Health VP of Markets & Service
Click here for session description • Room: Ohio A
Future HS Coaches Program: USYS High School Coaches Program Preview
Presenter: Tom Condone, USYS Chief Soccer Officer
Click here for session description • Room: Ohio B
U.S. Soccer Goalkeeping: U.S. Soccer Goalkeeping License Overview
Presenter: Catherine Gordon, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Room: Olentangy A
GotSport Advanced Features: Streamline Your Processes
Presenter(s): GotSport Staff
Click here for session description • Room: Olentangy B
Grassroots Referee Laws of the Game: USYS Introduction to Officiating Soccer
Presenter: Daniel Radford, USYS Senior Manager Referees
Click here for session description • Room: Franklin B
Field Sessions
Field sessions will be located at Historic Crew Stadium (One Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, OH 43211).
1:30 PM
Goalkeeping Field Session: All About Goalkeeping
Presenter: Catherine Gordon, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Historic Crew Stadium: Field 1
U.S. Soccer Coach for Community Field Session
Presenter: Blake Decker, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Historic Crew Stadium: Field 2
2:30 PM
Play-Practice-Play Field Session: U.S. Soccer Play-Practice-Play Model
Presenter: Josh Hess, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Historic Crew Stadium: Field 1
U.S. Soccer 7v7 Grassroots Course: Field Session
Presenter: Will Peppard, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Historic Crew Stadium: Field 2
3:30 PM
U.S. Soccer Goldilocks Field Session: The Goldilocks Games
Presenter: Denzil Antonio, OSA ODP Coaching Staff
Click here for session description • Historic Crew Stadium: Field 1
U.S. Soccer 7v7 Grassroots Course: Field Session (cont.)
Presenter: Will Peppard, OSA Coaching Education Staff
Click here for session description • Historic Crew Stadium: Field 2
9AM
The Ohio Sports Association Overview
Presenter: Jen Fickett & Denzil Antonio, OSA Member Services
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Room:
9AM
10AM
11AM
Ohio A
TOSA Multisport Introduction
The Ohio Sports Association Overview
Presenter: Jen Fickett & Denzil Antonio, OSA Member Services
Launched in late 2024, The Ohio Sports Association (TOSA), is OSA’s new subsidiary non-profit offering multi-sport organizations essential insurance and risk management services and solutions. Whether you’re a school, church, or recreational league, learn how OSA can help support your organization operate more efficiently and safely for all participants.
Risk Awareness & Reporting
Safeguarding Your Organization
Presenter: Josh Opiola, Injure Free Senior VP
Learn how to protect your players and organization with our new partner, Injure Free. This session covers the differences between sexual abuse and prohibited conduct, when and how to report abuse, and the benefits of using third-party investigative services. Interactive role-playing exercises will help you apply these concepts in real-world situations.
Opportunities for members to schedule 1-on-1 sessions w/Josh 9-10AM & 11-Noon to discuss Emergency Action Plans, Crisis Management, etc. Registration required for individual sessions.
OSA Insurance Benefits
Understanding & Optimizing Your Insurance Coverage
Presenter: Dan Pullen, Players Health VP of Markets & Service
Gain clarity on your OSA and TOSA insurance benefits, including Directors & Officers (D&O) coverage. Use a comparison checklist to assess your current policies, identify gaps, and determine exactly what coverage you need (or don’t need) to keep your club or league protected and compliant.
Opportunity for members to schedule 1-on-1 sessions w/Dan 9AM-11AM to discuss gaps and over-coverages compared to OSA member insurance benefits. Registration required for individual sessions.
Ohio B
Competitive Club Roundtable
Streamlining Administrative Processes
Panel: Lisa Hausser (Cincinnati United), Ron Hughes (Kolping SC), John Camp (Butler United), Ben Barrett (Anthony Wayne United), Amy Gonzales (Olimpia USA)
Connect with administrators from competitive clubs to share insights on managing day-to-day operations, from navigating OSA team registration and carding to streamlining processes. Discover how to harness technology and OSA member services to work smarter, not harder. Hear success stories and practical tips from clubs of all sizes to keep your operations running smoothly.
Grassroots Roundtable
Best Practices for Rec Leagues
Panel: Aftan Dewese (Ada/BSSL), Bryan Detty (Huber Heights), Ashley Bryant (Gahanna), Ammi Jamerson (ESSL)
Join a dynamic discussion on strategies to grow and retain players while addressing the challenge of declining volunteerism. Discover how to maximize resources, recruit coaches and volunteers, leverage technology, and tap into OSA member services. Hear success stories and practical tips from leagues across the state to inspire new approaches for your organization.
Future HS Coaches Program
USYS High School Coaches Program Preview
Presenter: Tom Condone , USYS Chief Soccer Officer
Discover how the USYS High School Coaches Program aims to improve the game and strengthen club culture by preparing high school players for coaching roles. Learn strategies for fostering a greater club identity through mentorship, as younger players look up to older club members, and high school athletes build meaningful connections with younger age groups.
Olentangy A
U.S. Soccer Leadership Course
Club Technical Leadership Course Overview
Presenter: Tom Condone, USYS Chief Soccer Officer
The Club Technical Leaderhip-1 License is a very important piece of our leadership pathway. Learn how to gain professional/personal development and receive the latest knowledge to elevate your club environment.
Competitive Coach Development
Columbus Crew Development Model
Presenter: Brian Rodriquez, U13-U14 Academy Head Coach
This session offers a unique opportunity to peek inside the professional player pathway. What is the Crew philosophy on player identification and development? How is the 1st team style developed throughout the club? How does club style translate to training exercises and sessions? How does a professional club instill professional values and attitudes in their young players?
U.S. Soccer Goalkeeping
U.S. Soccer Goalkeeping License Overview
Presenter: Catherine Gordon, OSA Coaching Education Staff
The role of the modern goalkeeper is much more than just a shot-stopper and a punter. This session explores the goalkeeper’s role in the team and offers ideas on how to integrate the goalkeepers into team training. The session will include both classroom and field components
Olentangy B
GotSport Basics 101
Streamlining Your Rec League for Spring & Beyond
Presenter(s): GotSport Staff
Attention grassroots/recreational league administrators! Join us for GotSport Basics 101, where you’ll learn how to prepare for your spring season and/or the upcoming 2025/2026 transition. Discover how to clone programs, build rosters with custom questions, and navigate OSA affiliations and roles, including direct registration. Get the tools you need to ensure a smooth and efficient season ahead!
GotSport Tryout Registration
Preparing for 2025/2026 Season
Presenter(s): GotSport Staff
Attention competitive club administrators! Join us for a focused session on setting up your tryout registration, seasonal programs, player invites and addressing common FAQs in GotSport. Get ahead of the game and ensure you’re ready to hit the ground running for the 2025/2026 season. Learn tips and best practices to streamline your processes and enhance your club’s efficiency!
GotSport Advanced Features
Streamline Your Processes
Presenter(s): GotSport Staff
Now that you’ve transitioned to GotSport, it’s time to dive deeper! Join us for an informative session on advanced features designed to enhance your administrative processes. Learn how to reset and sync team member lists, archive data, flag important information, generate custom reports, and more. To make this session as valuable as possible, please send your FAQs ahead of time, allowing for a more meaningful discussion and actionable insights!
Franklin B
Grassroots Referee Administration
Introduction to Officiating Soccer Overview
Presenter: Dan Cataldi, Iowa Soccer CEO
Join us for Part 1 of our 3-part workshop focused on introducing new people to refereeing to grow your numbers of officials. This session will include insights from Iowa Soccer’s Referee Development Program (RDP), starting with a brief presentation outlining the concept, potential pathways for individuals, and strategies to overcome common barriers that often prevent people from becoming referees.
Grassroots Referee Practical Session
RDP Introduction to Officiating Soccer
Presenter: Hidajet Tica, Iowa Soccer Referee & Sportsmanship Director
Join us for Part 2 of our 3-part workshop for growing your referee pool. This hands-on session demonstrates a successful entry-level program from Iowa’s (RDP), that prepares kids to officiate younger age small-sided games. Experience a 60-minute course to see how this program introduces youth to officiating, reduces barriers, and enhances the experience for new referees.
Grassroots Referee Laws of the Game
USYS Introduction to Officiating Soccer
Presenter: Daniel Radford, USYS Senior Manager Referees
Join us for part 3 of our 3-part workshop, where we will review the new USYS Intro to Officiating online course, uniquely designed to introduce teenage players to officiating in a low-pressure, supportive environment. This plug-and-play course covers foundational mechanics and rules, helping young people gain confidence and life skills through recreational and non-competitive games. The goal is to build their knowledge and enjoyment gradually, preparing them for more competitive games in the future.
Franklin C
Coaching Course
U.S. Soccer Coach for Community
Presenter: Blake Decker, OSA Coaching Education Staff
The Coach for Community course is designed around the challenges and needs of the grassroots coach. These challenges and needs typically relate to questions such as:
– How does soccer work?
– What should I do at practice?
– How do I teach my players to….?
– How do I get my players more engaged?
– How do I get my players to spread out?
– How do I get my players to communicate?
– How do I get my players to listen?
– How do I get my players to run more in games?
– What are the rules?
– How should I organize my players for games?
– What is the “”best”” formation for 7v7 or 9v9 or 11v11?
The course content will be adapted to the challenges and needs of the participants.
The course will conclude with a 60-minute field session in the afternoon. Attendees will earn a U.S. Soccer Certificate and a voucher to attend a future Grassroots course of their choice.
Coaching Course
U.S. Soccer Coach for Community
Presenter: Blake Decker, OSA Coaching Education Staff
[Continued presentation]
1:30PM
2:30PM
3:30PM
Historic Crew Stadium: Field 1
Goalkeeping Field Session
All About Goalkeeping
Presenter: Catherine Gordon, OSA Coaching Education Staff
The role of the modern goalkeeper is much more than just a shot-stopper and a punter. This session explores the goalkeeper’s role in the team and offers ideas on how to integrate the goalkeepers into team training. The session will include both classroom and field components.
Play-Practice-Play Field Session
U.S. Soccer Play-Practice-Play Model
Presenter: Josh Hess, OSA Coaching Education Staff
U.S. Soccer champions the Play-Practice-Play model to encourage more soccer at soccer practice. This 60-minute field session offers an abbreviated tour of the three components of P-P-P and demonstrates how structured game play is not the same as free play!
U.S. Soccer Goldilocks Field Session
The Goldilocks Games
Presenter: Denzil Antonio, OSA ODP Coaching Staff
From a playing perspective, 90% of soccer content can be discovered in a 5v5 game. From a coach development perspective, 5v5 is arguably the most important game form because it concurrently offers both observational simplicity and tactical complexity.
This field session provides coaches with a practical observational framework to start unlocking the possibilities of the 5v5 game.
Historic Crew Stadium: Field 2
Coach for Community Field Session
U.S. Soccer Coach for Community
Presenter: Blake Decker, OSA Coaching Education Staff
The Coach for Community course is designed around the challenges and needs of the grassroots coach. The course content will be adpated to the challenges and needs of the participants. The 2-hour classroom discussion will be held from 10AM-Noon and concludes here with a 60-minute field session. Attendees will earn a U.S. Soccer Certificate and a voucher to attend a future Grassroots course of their choice.
U.S. Soccer 7v7 Field Session
U.S. Soccer 7v7 License Course
Presenter: Will Peppard, OSA Coaching Education Staff
The 4-hour Grassroots In-Person 7v7 course builds on the principles covered in prerequisite U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module.
Specifically, coaches will learn more about U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, the Play-Practice-Play practice structure, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players aged 9-10. The course will also ask each coach to reflect on their experiences and develop action steps for personal growth in the Six Tasks (Coaching Games, Coaching Training Sessions, Leading the Team, Leading the Player, Managing the Performance Environment, and Leadership).
The course starts with 2-hours on the field on Saturday, February 1st and concludes with 2-hours of virtual classroom on Monday, February 3rd. Coaches must attend all four hours and may be asked to participate in the field component as either coaches or players.
Eligibility: Coaches must be at least 16 years old and have completed U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module.
Note: Due to online privacy laws, individuals under the age of 16 cannot create Learning Center (LC) profiles, and thus are unable to take Grassroots Courses.
U.S. Soccer 7v7 Field Session
U.S. Soccer 7v7 License Course
Presenter: Will Peppard, OSA Coaching Education Staff
[continued presentation]
Annual Awards
Ohio Soccer Association strives to recognize individuals who positively impact the game of soccer in Ohio. In conjunction with our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the beginning of the year, an awards ceremony is held to honor nominated individuals for their support and dedication in growing the game.
Nominated individuals are also eligible for recognition by US Youth Soccer during their Annual Awards Gala.
Click here to view the 2024 Annual Award winners!
