We are delighted that 2009 was another successful year for the Robbie International Soccer Tournament. 221 teams traveled from all across Canada, New York and even flew as far as from Scotland to make this year as memorable as the previous 42 years. Several teams from our neighbours to the east, Quebec, traveled the distance to face the top squads from Ontario. Two teams from Alberta, Boys Under 14 Chinooks United and Girls Under 17/18 Foothills Athletics, flew in to see the Toronto cites, and enjoy some top calibre competition. In the Boys Under 13, the Jackton Boys Club of Scotland piped in to face some of Ontario’s finest. Thank you to all teams, both local and those who made the trip in, for contributing to this year’s tournament.
The Robbie donated $60,000 to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 2009. This is in addition to the $1.3 Million Dollars the tournament has donated to Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Dystrophy combined over the 43 years of the tournament. There is no other youth soccer tournament in the world that runs solely on the dedication of volunteers for the purpose of raising funds for a charity at this capacity. Thank you to all the volunteers; referees, conveners, and executive members who dedicate their time and efforts to raising these funds for CF.
The Robbie received numerous counts of recognition this year for the tremendous charity work done over the past 43 years. The City of Toronto recognized the committee volunteers for over 20 years of volunteering, on behalf of the tournament. The Scarborough Walk of Fame nominated The Robbie Tournament and founder, John Wimbs, as recipients of a star on the Walk of Fame as a community event. Finally, The Ontario Soccer Association declared “The Robbie” as recipients of the Ontario Soccer Association President’s Award.
These were three tremendous honours that the Robbie is truly grateful for. You can catch the Robbie Star on the Walk of Fame at the Scarborough Town Centre, alongside newest recipient, and former Robbie Participant, Dwayne de Rosario!
The MuchMusic Video Dance was a big hit again this year, with over 400 kids in attendance and over 20 teams dancing their socks off. It seemed to work well for the kids, as many in attendance won their games the following morning!
Women In Soccer was the tournament theme this year, and to celebrate it, we had two guest speakers come in, Amy Price from England and Stevie Gill from Arizona to inform parents, coaches and players of various opportunities in soccer. The session lasted over an hour, and was received as “extremely informative and necessary”, as well as “captivating”, “inspiring” and something that many teams missed out on. Amy Price of Fulham FC and Chelsea Ladies FC in England, and Stevie Gill, Coach of Grand Canyon University team in Arizona, USA also traveled to numerous fields and games throughout the tournament to observe players, and team play.
At the Robbie News Conference this year, a young man living with the cystic fibrosis disease came to speak about his disease and how the money from this tournament generates funds for research into finding a cure, and new medicine for CF patients. He is currently 20 years old, and plays hockey and other sports. However, the current life expectancy for CF patients is only 37 years, which means that we must continue to do our part in helping improve this statistic and hopefully one day change the words Cystic Fibrosis to “Cure Found”.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in the 2009 Robbie!
Yours in soccer,
The Robbie Executive Committee
