Mike Long’s attraction to officiating soccer was not top of mine as his love of the sport developed at an early age in England. His over 40 years of involvement in the sport saw him spend the vast majority of that time as an official. As a player, he saw a shortage of officials and that combined with his desire to make a positive contribution to the sport of soccer, he turned his attention to officiating and the sport benefited from that decision. Starting at the grass roots level of the sport, Mike progressed through the ranks from the local minor soccer level to high school to men’ 1st and 2nd division and women’s level. All in all, over roughly 40 years, Mike officiated 10 NOSSA Championships, 6 OFSSA championships, Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa, USA Cup in Blaine, Minnesota the Largest Soccer Tournament in the world with over 1200 teams and the U of Pennsylvania International Tournament where Refereed U 15 and U 20 matches. At the Ontario University Association level, he refereed both Men’s and Women’s OUA Lakers and Sudbury soccer games for the 1st five years the Lakers entered the OUA. The pinnacle of his carrier took place when he was invited to officiate in the Canadian National Soccer League as a FIFA referee (Lines and Head Referee) games at the professional level in 1997 and 1998.
Passion, dedication and commitment are some of the qualities displayed by top level officials and Mike Long, over his 40 years of officiating, checks all the boxes.