We’re thrilled to announce the unveiling of the OPDL Gary Miller Shield by Ontario Soccer, which happened on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre. This new prestigious award celebrates the exceptional talent, dedication, and sportsmanship of Ontario’s young soccer athletes. This award, designed and crafted by Nothers The Award Store in partnership with Ontario Soccer, is a tribute to Gary Miller’s remarkable contributions to the soccer community and a symbol of commitment to developing the game.
The Gary Miller Shield is a championship trophy awarded in Ontario Soccer’s Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), which is the province’s standards-based youth soccer league. Named in honour of Gary Miller, a respected figure in Canadian soccer and Ontario Soccer’s former Technical Director, this shield celebrates youth athletes' excellence and dedication to high-performance soccer.
In creating this award, our goal was to honor Gary Miller’s legacy with a design that would stand as an inspiration to current and future generations. The shield reflects not only the values of Ontario Soccer but also the passion and commitment of the OPDL athletes.
"When we approached Nothers on the concept of this award, we were clear that we were striving to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the OPDL program and honor Gary Miller's legacy in the game. The work by their team brought our vision to life, with this custom Shield Trophy, really embodying the importance of this competition in the OPDL for the continued development of our next generation of talented players, coaches and match officials" said Matt Ferreira, Director, Development at Ontario Soccer.
Brendan Muir, Account Manager with Nothers was instrumental in leading the project, shared his thoughts:
"The OPDL Gary Miller Shield is more than an award; it is a representation of excellence and dedication to the sport. It has been an honor to work with Ontario Soccer to bring this vision to life and celebrate the exceptional efforts of young athletes."
Jim Nother, President of Nothers The Award Store, echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the meaningful partnership:
"We are incredibly proud to create an award that honours Gary Miller’s legacy and inspires Ontario’s youth. This shield symbolizes the high standards and achievements that athletes work toward in the OPDL. Working with Ontario Soccer on this project has been a rewarding experience, knowing this award will inspire many."
This milestone marks an important moment for Ontario Soccer and for the athletes who strive to reach new heights each season. Thank you to Ontario Soccer for trusting us to help recognize your best. We can't wait to see how the OPDL Gary Miller Shield becomes a part of your players' journeys!