Matthew Kassabian Talks About His Role And Aspirations As The General Manager Of Erin Mills Soccer Club

1Tell us about your role as the General Manager for the Erin Mills Soccer Club and what does a typical day look like for you?

I am relatively new in my role as General Manager with the Erin Mills Soccer Club. However, I have come into this position after serving as General Manager for the Newmarket Soccer Club for nearly three years.

Erin Mills S.C. is a large club with more demands so it has been a very positive challenge for me to get used to new surroundings, personalities, expectations and procedures.

In my role, there is no real 9-5 as I am responsible for quite a lot. I strive to create balance but it’s hard not to check my emails when I first wake up at 6:00 am or ahead of going to sleep at 11:00 pm! It comes with the territory and I understand it.

A typical day for me involves catching up on emails, working through my agenda or notes/tasks for the day, attending meetings/1 on 1’s with staff and stakeholders, catching up on phone calls, planning for the rest of the week and week after, reviewing any accounts payable/receivable items.

I like to be as organized as possible and to me, that starts with an accurate work-week plan/list of items to complete daily. I try not to deviate from that as it helps me ensure I can operate as efficiently as possible in a week. However, I understand things do come up!

2Describe some of the toughest situations you’ve faced in this job so far.

Various situations have come through navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the GM of a not-for-profit youth sports organization, there is always a lot on your plate. From accounting to house league coaches’ manual creation, there is a lot that goes into the role.

In March 2020 when everything came to a screeching halt, I was taken completely out of my comfort zone and forced to make some very difficult decisions in order to safeguard the operating future of the club.

Working with a volunteer board of directors as we tried to navigate the pandemic led to many sleepless nights. Managing grant and subsidy applications, furloughing staff, cancelling programs, etc. were all very, very tough situations to deal with.

Through collaboration with our board of directions, our accountants, and key banks staff, we were able to come out of the first big wave of the pandemic on the other side and into the summer 2020 season, where limited programming takes place.

I am a big silver lining person, always looking for the positives and/or opportunities when faced with an unfavourable situation.

I can safely say that the pandemic has truly taught me a lot and made me more confident in my role.

Another silver lining, if you will, with the pandemic has been the number of collaboration peers at other soccer clubs in the province. We formed a united front, shared ideas and built each other up; it’s been a great thing to see!

3Since you’ve started working at Erin Mills Soccer Club, what have you done to help develop the organization?

I haven’t been here long and am still observing how things work before making any large-scale enhancements.

However, I have been able to work with the Board to recruit and hire a Technical Director, enhance the payroll structure, secure new partnerships with the club that will enhance the member experience at the club within the community (can’t say too much more on that yet!), make facility upgrades and enhancements.

I am particularly excited about our new Technical Director (Steven Carroll) as he is the key piece to implementing a new and standards-based club technical plan.

4What are your plans to help develop the club in the future? Where do you see yourself and the club in 5 years from now?

This question might require a full report in itself!

I hope to work with the staff, board and stakeholders to help grow the club membership while continuing the enhance the member experience on and off the field.

It doesn’t come over a night and there is a lot of work ahead of us, however, I feel confident that with the staff, board and stakeholders we have, we can get the job done!

I would like to see the growth of our indoor facility as well in order for it to be THE place to play soccer, and potentially other sports, in Mississauga and Peel Region.

I would like to continue to work very closely on ensuring the club is fiscally responsible and sustainable.

I would also like to work with the board as we shift from an operational board to more of a governance board.