Kaplan resigned recently to spend more time with his sports marketing company and will leave following the championship final game at the end of October.
The CSL is Canada’s only professional soccer league with a past that stretches back as the forerunner NSL to its first game between Toronto Ulster and Windsor Rovers on June 19, 1926 and which for many years held a pre-eminent position in the North American soccer community.
Today’s CSL seeks to establish the league as Canada’s second tier professional soccer, appealing to the increasing number of mid-sized communities which desire to have teams above the senior amateur level. About 50 per cent of its players sign professional contracts and many advance to higher levels in other parts of the world.
“This hiring is at an important juncture in the history of a league that has steadfastly remained Canadian and now expects to play a significant role in the much-needed further development of a professional soccer structure in Canada,” said CSL chairman Domenic Di Gironimo.
The league has released the following posting:
Position of Commissioner
Canadian Soccer League Inc.
The CSL seeks a Commissioner to head Canada’s only professional soccer league playing presently in Ontario and Quebec with plans for expansion to other parts of the country.
The successful candidate will lead an active and growing organization of presently 10 clubs with more than 300 professional and amateur players and approximately 150 team staff members and game officials.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, will lead a team to achieve the league’s immediate objectives and will pursue with energy a vision for eventual Canada-wide membership on a regional basis, while occupying second tier professional soccer in Canada’s fastest growing sport.
The successful candidate is expected to have a broad knowledge of the game, will have leadership qualities and a proven managerial or executive record in sport or business. A good knowledge of and appreciation for sound financial management is necessary.
Good organizational, communication and people skills are essential in this people-oriented environment.
Preference will be shown to candidates with strong marketing experience with good negotiating skills.
Possessing the skills to deal effectively with and to maintain a good working relationship with the sport’s governing bodies and leagues at various levels in the Canadian soccer community is an important asset.
The successful person will be required to reside in the GTA or in close proximity.
Applications to include a complete resume are invited and will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Regular mail or email is recommended, to be received by Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 6 p.m.
Mail to: Domenic Di Gironimo, Chairman, the Canadian Soccer League Inc, 1690 Bonhill Road, Mississauga, OntarioL5T 1C8
Or email: domenic@d2gsports.com
Mississauga, Ontario
September 16, 2009
