Notice to Members
Dear AFL Ontario Club Leadership and supporters,
I am reaching out today with an urgent request that could have a significant impact on the future of AFL Ontario and the sport we all love. AFL Ontario has been working hard to secure Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) status, which would provide essential support and resources for the growth of Australian Rules Football in our province. However, our application is stalled because AFL Canada has not yet been granted National Sport Organization (NSO) designation by the federal government.
Without this NSO status, we are unable to move forward, and the future of AFL Ontario is at risk. This is where we need the help of every member of our community.
We are asking all AFL Ontario clubs to share the following request with their members:
Please take a moment to send a letter to your local MP and MPP, urging them to support AFL Canada’s NSO designation and help us secure PSO status for AFL Ontario.
Why is this so important?
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Sustainability and Growth: Without PSO status, we cannot access the resources we need to expand participation, support our clubs, and offer a more inclusive, affordable, and accessible sporting experience for communities across Ontario.
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No Financial Cost: The solution is simple and cost-free for the government. By reopening the NSO eligibility process and approving AFL Canada’s application, we can unlock vital support without adding any financial burden to the government.
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Immediate Action Needed: Time is of the essence. With increasing challenges, from declining volunteer support to rising costs for players, we need to secure this designation to ensure the long-term future of AFL Ontario.
How to Help:
- Tell friends to go to : https://aflontario.aflcanada.com/help
- Template Letter: A ready-to-use template is available on this page that your members can easily personalize and send to their MP and MPP (Below).
- Act Now: We are asking for these letters to be sent as soon as possible to increase pressure on key decision-makers.
This is a critical moment for AFL Ontario, and with the collective support of our clubs and members, we can ensure that Australian Rules Football continues to thrive across the province. Every letter counts, and the more voices we have speaking up for the future of the sport, the more likely we are to succeed.
Please encourage your members to participate in this campaign and share the link with your networks.
Thank you for your time and your continued support for AFL Ontario. If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out to me directly.
Sincerely,
Barry Rooke
AFL Ontario Treasurer
Download an editable MS Word File
Draft Template for AFL Ontario – Federal
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Email Address]
September 21, 2024
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Sport Physical Activity
25 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec, J8X 4B5
[MP/Minister’s Name]
[Office Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
Dear Honourable Carla Qualtrough & [MP/Minister’s Name],
I am writing to you as a proud participant of AFL Ontario, one of the largest Australian Rules Football leagues outside of Australia. AFL Ontario has provided me with invaluable opportunities for physical fitness, community engagement, and personal growth, and I fear for the future of this league without immediate action by the Minister of Sport.
Our league is currently facing serious challenges, with declining participation and reduced volunteer support. Despite our contributions to community health and well-being, and our involvement in developing national team players for Canada, we are unable to grow and sustain the league due to our lack of Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) status in Ontario.
The good news is that a simple, cost-free solution is available. By reopening the eligibility process for the Sport Support Program and approving AFL Canada (our National Sport Organization), AFL Ontario will be able to apply for PSO status. This would unlock crucial resources that would allow us to rebuild, grow participation, and continue offering a safe, inclusive, and affordable sport to communities across Ontario.
This change requires no financial investment from the government but would have a tremendous impact on thousands of athletes and volunteers. The process is straightforward and can be enacted quickly to help secure the future of our league.
Please support the immediate reopening of the National Sport Organization (NSO) eligibility process, and allow AFL Canada’s application to proceed.
Your support is critical in ensuring the long-term survival of AFL Ontario. Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Role/Position in AFL Ontario, if applicable]
AFL Ontario Player/Supporter
References
Instructions for Personalization:
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Replace [Your Name], [Your Address], and other placeholders with your own information.
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Add personal touches, such as a brief sentence about how AFL Ontario has impacted you or your community.
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Email or mail the letter to both your local MP and the Minister of Sport.
hon.carla.qualtrough@pch.gc.ca & https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
Draft Template for AFL Ontario – Provincial
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Email Address]
September 21, 2024
[MPP’s Name]
[Office Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
Dear [MPP’s Name],
I am writing to you as a proud participant of AFL Ontario, one of the largest Australian Rules Football leagues outside of Australia. AFL Ontario has provided me with invaluable opportunities for physical fitness, community engagement, and personal growth. However, our league’s future is at risk, and we urgently need your help to ensure its survival.
Our application for Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) status has already been submitted to Sport Ontario, but it is unable to proceed because AFL Canada, our National Sport Organization (NSO), does not currently hold NSO designation. This federal-level requirement is the final obstacle preventing us from securing PSO status, which would provide critical support for our league’s growth and sustainability.
This issue requires no financial investment from the government but would have an enormous positive impact on athletes, volunteers, and the wider community. I kindly request that you consider reaching out to the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, to either advocate for reopening the NSO eligibility process or support a PSO rule change at the provincial level that would allow us to apply directly. We have included a template letter for you to modify below.
Alternatively, we would welcome your support in proposing a change to the PSO rules that would allow AFL Ontario to apply directly for PSO status without relying on the NSO designation. This rule change would enable immediate progress on our application and help remove the barriers preventing us from growing the sport in the province.
Your voice is crucial in helping us secure a sustainable future for AFL Ontario, and I deeply appreciate your time and attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Role/Position in AFL Ontario, if applicable]
AFL Ontario Player/Supporter
References
Instructions for Personalization:
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Replace the placeholders with your personal and local MPP information.
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Feel free to include personal experiences or details that strengthen the message.
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Send this to your local MPP, asking them to advocate for a solution at both the federal and provincial levels.
This version emphasizes the urgency and options for either reopening NSO eligibility or adjusting PSO rules, providing a clear call to action for the MPP.
