PETITION: Equal Play, Equal Stakes—Turn the Scoreboards ON

To: The Board of Directors of Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer

We are petitioning Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer to create a more level playing field for small-town athletes. Currently, the "Grassroots Standards" do not allow scores or standings for U9–U13 in Tier 3. While players in bigger cities can choose Tier 1 "Competitive" leagues or academies to play for results, our families live 1.5 to 2+ hours away from those hubs. For us, Tier 3 local soccer is the only way we can play the game we love.

When the scoreboards stay off in Tier 3, small-town kids miss out on the chance to grow as competitive athletes. We are asking you to turn the scores and standings on for Tier 3 league play. We want the same chance as city players to develop the grit, focus, and life skills that come from real, healthy competition.

 
1. The "Small Town" Penalty

Ontario Soccer’s "Grassroots Standards" prioritize skill development over winning. However, while city athletes in Tier 1 and 2 often participate in District Cups and playoffs where winners are recognized, our small-town Tier 3 teams are excluded from these competitive milestones.

The Goal: We want the same chance to practice handling the pressure of a "meaningful" game as athletes in the city.

The Reason: When athletes feel their hard work has no clear result, they can lose interest. We want our effort to count.

The Point: By age 13, city players will have years of experience in high-stakes games. We want a fair start so we are just as ready for the pressure of competitive soccer as everyone else.

2. Scoreboards Build "Grit": The Science of Mental Toughness
Adults think "no score" rules protect our feelings, but science shows that avoiding the scoreboard actually makes us more fragile. We need to experience "losing" in a safe way now so we are ready for the real world later.

The Proof: Dr. Timothy Lishnak (2019) says sports are a "controlled environment for healthy failure." He says: "Avoiding the score tells kids they are too fragile to handle losing. Competition teaches 'grit'—the ability to fail, figure out why, and try again."

The Point: We want to build "Grit" now. A scoreboard isn't a weapon; it’s a teacher that helps us learn how to bounce back. If we don't learn how to handle a loss at 10 years old, we won't be ready for the pressure of high school or life.

3. Scores Make Us Better Teammates
When the score doesn't count, some players stop passing and just try to "show off" because there’s no reason to play as a unit. Others, do not take the games seriously as it does not matter without the score. 

The Proof: Researcher Sasha Graham (2023) found that in "no-score" games, kids stop valuing the "assist."

"Keeping score makes players do the 'invisible' work—like defending and passing—because it helps the whole team win."

The Point: We want to play real soccer. Keeping score makes us look for our teammates instead of just playing for ourselves. Winning as a team is a lesson we can only learn if the score matters.

4. We Already Know the Score!
Every player, parent, and coach on the sideline already knows exactly who is winning.

The Proof: The Positive Coaching Alliance says kids are "natural scorekeepers." When adults pretend the score is 0-0 but we know we won 4-1, it feels like the adults are being dishonest. 

The Point: We are mature enough to handle the truth. We want to be graceful losers and humble winners, but we can't learn that if the score is a secret.
 
Sign below to tell Ontario Soccer:

"Don't penalize us for where we live. Small-town players are athletes, not just participants. Turn the scoreboard ON!"

#TurnOnTheT3Scoreboard #SmallTownBigHeart #OntarioSoccerEqualPlay