2024 ROBBIE FESTIVAL DATES ARE JUNE 22ND AND 23RD
2O24 ROBBIE TOURNAMENT DATES ARE JUNE 29TH, 30TH AND fINALS ON JULY1ST
History of the Robbie
In 1967, a group of soccer enthusiasts met at the home of John Wimbs in Scarborough, Ontario, to organize a small soccer festival tournament in Scarborough.
From upstairs they heard three-year old Robbie Wimbs receiving treatment for cystic fibrosis. In that moment, the organizers who were called Governors, John Wimbs, John Frow Derrick Lewis, Bruce Waldron and Jim Blair decided to dedicate this event not just to soccer, but also to fighting cystic fibrosis. The Robbie was born and continue to hold tournaments every year for the past fifty six years
The Robbie International Youth Soccer Tournament is the Largest Charitable Youth Soccer Tournament in the world, and is the only charitable festival/tournament sanctioned by Ontario Soccer. It is also a member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.
In 2019 the Robbie was the recipient of The Organization of Distinction award from Canada Soccer. An award which was richly deserved.
The Robbie has been in operation for 56 consecutive years in the district of Scarborough, and managed by volunteers over these years. An achievement of this kind is simply unheard of in modern times.
Also unheard of is the fact that referees from across Ontario (mainly from Scarborough) have donated their services free of charge to Robbie for 56 years.The Robbie supports Cystic Fibrosis, which is a Canadian charity. Referees believe in this very worthy cause and the donation of their time is their way of giving back to their community and Cystic Fibrosis.
Many thanks and gratitude to referees past, present and future for their unselfish commitment to the Robbie Festival and tournament and Cystic Fribosis
