THUNDER BAY — The new president of Canada Soccer says being elected to the top post at the country's governing body for soccer "feels like a dream."
Peter Augruso, who hails from Thunder Bay, added in a social media post that it's "an unbelievable honour and privilege" to serve.
"I promise to lead a new soccer in Canada with a 'football first' mentality in all that we do, which is open and accessible to all," he said.
In a competition with incumbent president Charmaine Crooks, Augruso was elected on the weekend to lead Canada Soccer's board of directors.
He wasn't available Monday for an interview, but the message he posted stated: "It's time the country is unified and aligned, with one clear vision, and one plan, so we can all lead with pride and inspire!"
Augruso's election was welcomed both by Soccer Northwest Ontario and by Ontario Soccer.
Soccer Northwest President Michael Veneziale told TBnewswatch "Peter has been monumental in soccer and in Thunder Bay for many, many years, going back to starting off as a referee, then involved in the Soccer Northwest board and Ontario Soccer. It's amazing to see him continue to grow, and now be the president of Canada Soccer."
Veneziale added that Augruso has been fully supportive of the effort to build an indoor turf facility in the city.
"Having Peter involved now at an even higher level can only benefit our city . . . He has been kind of behind the scenes more than anything else, helping out with a lot of it, and going forward I think he's going to be more of a focal point."
Augruso was elected president and chair of Ontario Soccer's board of directors in 2018 after sitting on the board for five years.
In a statement released by Ontario Soccer, he said: "I'll be working alongside our member organizations to build a strong football-first mentality . . . to restore pride in our national teams and all those Canadians across the country that support us."
Augruso expressed gratitude to Crooks for her service over the past year, saying she took stewardship of Canada Soccer's board during a difficult transitionary period, in addition to being the first woman and the first person of colour to lead the organization.
