These are exciting time for the Simcoe County Rovers. The defending League1 Ontario men’s champions are diligently preparing for the upcoming season that starts in late April.
With a core of returning players including midfielder of the year Orlendis Benetiz and forward-of-the-year nominee Jevontae Layne and new additions that bring depth and quality to the squad there is a lot to be excited about.
On the women’s side, optimism abounds for the 2024 season as the team led by captain and midfielder-of-the-year Cloey Uddenberg prepare to face the top clubs in the league.
In addition to defending the League1 title, the Rovers men will participate in 17th edition of the Canadian Championship. The coast-to-coast competition featuring MLS, CPL and League1 team begins Tuesday, April 23 with a single-elimination preliminary round schedule.
On April 24, in a dream match-up, the semi-professional Simcoe County Rovers will take on Major League Soccer giants Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. It’s the first time any team from Barrie has played a professional sports team.
On March 23 at 3 p.m., the club will hold a season ticket holder and sponsors party at Canadian Brewhouse to reveal its new kit for 2024. The event last year was a success and the club is looking forward to hosting it again. Players and staff from the men’s and women’s team will be in attendance providing fans the opportunity to meet both returning and new players.
Defender Tajay Reid is looking forward to interacting with the fans.
“It’s big for the community. It’s a great event to get the players and the fans together in one environment interacting with one another. The fans have been so supportive and the Canadian Brewhouse is the place to be. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there," Reid said.
When asked what it meant to represent the city of Barrie in the Canadian Championship versus Toronto FC, Reid had this to say: “We wouldn’t be here without the city and our fans. We’re looking forward to playing TFC and we hope our fanbase turns out in numbers to support us in this historic game.”
After the kit reveal there is a watch party scheduled for the Canadian men’s national team as it faces Trinidad and Tobago in a must win game to qualify for the COPA America tournament this summer, an important step in preparation for the World Cup in 2026.
The growth of soccer in Barrie and the passion for the Rovers in the community is not lost on Barrie Soccer Club president Will Devellis, who is also the COO and women’s sporting director for the Rovers.
“Barrie SC is honoured to be an exclusive partner of the Simcoe County Rovers. We have already seen a number of homegrown Barrie players being promoted through the L10 pathway with the Rovers and some have signed professional contracts. The future is extremely bright for our players and our club to advance to the highest levels of soccer in Canada," he said.
“As president of Barrie SC, I couldn’t be happier with how our community and club have committed to the Rovers. Events like our kit reveal at Canadian Brewhouse are great examples of how passionate our fans and the community are about the Rovers. We have created a strong, loyal fan base for our women and men’s teams. We helped eclipse the playoff attendance record last season and packed the Ontario Soccer Centre with buses full of our fans.
"We have a massive opportunity versus Toronto FC at BMO Field on April 24 and I know we are going to pack the stadium with our fans. This partnership has created a huge opportunity for Barrie Soccer Club and the Simcoe County Rovers and the community. Everyone has embraced it and we are making the most of it on and off the field.”
The Simcoe County Rovers men’s and women’s will kick off the 2024 season in late April and will play their home matches out of J.C Massie Field at Georgian College, in Barrie. The home opener for both the women and men is May 4. The women kick off versus Alliance United at 3 p.m. The men will kick off versus Alliance United at 6 p.m.
