One of the Simcoe County Rovers' biggest acquisitions may never even touch a ball on the soccer pitch.
It was announced Monday that local businessman Jamie Massie has joined the soccer club as an executive advisor.
Massie is the president, co-founder and co-owner of Georgian International, where he provides leadership and vision to the company’s automotive, aircraft and real estate businesses.
He's also a well-known face on the local sports scene as the former owner of the Barrie Colts, having brought the Ontario Hockey League team to the city in 1995.
In an interview with BarrieToday, Massie explained why he joined the League1 Ontario soccer club as they head into their second season in the spring.
“I think back to when we brought the Colts here; it wasn’t all about getting kids to the NHL," he said. "It was about giving our community players to watch up close and personal, to be motivated to think bigger and aim higher. That's what the Rovers will do for kids who play soccer here."
While widely known for his Colts connection, Massie says he's also a big fan of soccer.
“I’ve watched the game since my high school days (and have) always been a fan of soccer. But I think now is the most exciting time for the game in this country, with the recent World Cup and the excitement around the national team,” Massie said. “For our community to be able to be a part of the excitement with a club like the Rovers, that's just going to be so much fun for everyone.”
Rovers FC president and CEO Julian de Guzman said he was happy to bring Massie’s strong community ties to the club.
“We are delighted to have Jamie join Simcoe County Rovers FC as an executive advisor," de Guzman said in a news release. "Jamie’s business expertise and deep connection to Simcoe County will provide tremendous value to our organization."
Rovers co-owner and CEO Peter Raco said the club has been working with Massie over the last two years and this is simply a formalization of the role.
“We will continue meeting with Jamie in a quarterly fashion, giving status updates and in turn he will help us identify key priorities and strategic directions for the club,” Raco said.
“When we came to the conclusion we would seek to bring a League1 club to the city, Jamie was a name we knew we would be wanting to bring in," Raco added. "He is such a champion for this community.”
The Rovers play their home games at J.C. Massie Field at Georgian College in Barrie, named after the local businessman's father.
There have long been rumblings around the need for a sports park or stadium in the city, and Raco said a new stadium is something the club has identified as a priority.
“We will continue to work with the city, the college and other key stakeholders with hopes of proposing a long-term stadium solution in Barrie in 2023," Raco said.
Massie has also said Barrie is “the only city of our size in the province, maybe the country, that didn’t have some kind of facility” to accommodate sports within the city limits.
The businessman said he met with Rovers representatives a while back and was happy with what they were planning for the community, something he said he values above all else.
“That's probably what drove me more than anything to be part of this is how community-driven they were,” Massie said. “I think they’re a great organization and, from my standpoint and what I will do, I want to make sure they stay in our community, are successful and can grow here.”
The Rovers will open their second season in April.
For more information, head to the club website by clicking here.
