Builders
Aarts, Martin
(1932 – )
SPORT | Soccer
POSITION | Coach, Official, Administrator
YEAR OF INDUCTION | 2013
Martin was born in 1932 and came to Chatham from his native Holland in 1958. Having played his favoured game until departing for Canada, he turned away from the sport for 17 years. In 1975 he became involved with a group of men eager to start a youth soccer association. From the beginning of 4 teams and 60 players, it has grown to close to 200 teams and over 2500 boys, girls, and adults. At some point over the last 38 years, Martin has done every job, co-founder, director, coach, referee, maintenance, and administrator for the Chatham Youth Soccer Association. In addition he has been involved regionally and provincially at the administrative level.
Martin was born in 1932 and came to Chatham from his native Holland in 1958. Having played his favoured game until departing for Canada, he turned away from the sport for 17 years. In 1975 he became involved with a group of men eager to start a youth soccer association. From the beginning of 4 teams and 60 players, it has grown to close to 200 teams and over 2500 boys, girls, and adults. At some point over the last 38 years, Martin has done every job, co-founder, director, coach, referee, maintenance, and administrator for the Chatham Youth Soccer Association. In addition he has been involved regionally and provincially at the administrative level.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1975 ‒ along with Bob Christie, Louis Teeuwen, Vito Craievich, Mike Smith, and Ed Williams, founded the Chatham Youth Soccer Association
1976 – 1984 ‒ was President, Chatham Youth Soccer Association
1985 – 1990 ‒ was Director, Chatham Youth Soccer Association
Beginning in 1991 ‒ was Administrative Director, Chatham Youth Soccer Association for over 35 years
1985 ‒ was co-founder of the Lambton-Kent Soccer Association, a governing (Ontario Soccer Association) district with 9000 registered players
1985 – 1991 ‒ was Vice-President, Lambton-Kent Soccer Association
1992 – 2008 ‒ was President, Lambton-Kent Soccer Association
2009 – present ‒ is Administrator and Director, Lambton-Kent Soccer Association
1990 – 1999 ‒ was Director, London and District Youth Soccer Association
2007 – 2010 ‒ was Director, Western Ontario Youth Soccer Association
Beginning in 1992 ‒ was member of Ontario Soccer Association, West Region League Management Committee 35 years
1997 ‒ was coordinator of Summer Special Olympics (Soccer Division)
1997 to finish of project ‒ was member of Steering Committee, Thames Campus Athletic Complex
1988 ‒ formed the Chatham Express Senior Competitive Team to play in the Western Ontario Senior League ‒ coached and managed the team 20 years
Awards & Recognitions
1987 ‒ received Certificate of Merit from Royal Canadian Legion
1991 ‒ received Western Ontario Individual Sportsmanship Award
1996 & 2003 ‒ Express won Western Ontario Soccer League Club Sportsmanship Award
2006 ‒ received Province of Ontario 30+ Years Volunteer Service Award
2010 ‒ was inducted into the Western Ontario Soccer League Hall of Fame