SAINT JOHN, NB — Charmaine Crooks has been elected president of Canada Soccer.

The former Olympian beat former vice president of Canadian Soccer Rob Newman for the top elected job at the governing body’s annual meeting.

Crook was appointed interim president from vice president in late February after Nick Bontis stepped down, acknowledging changes were needed to achieve labor peace with Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams.

Crooks’ term lasted one year, at the time Bontis’ appointment would take place. There will be another election in a year, this time for a full four-year term.

The annual gathering of Canada Soccer members takes place through Sunday in Saint John, NB

Crooks, a five-time Olympian who won a silver medal in the 4×400 relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, has been on the board of Football Canada since 2012-13 and has served as vice president since January 2021.

Newman served on the Canadian Football board for 10 years (2002-03 to 2011-12), including four years as vice president (2008-09 to 2011-12). Former president of Saskatchewan Soccer, he is currently the president and CEO of BC Sport.

There are 85 votes up for grabs among members at the annual meeting, broken down mainly by geography — with 10 each for Ontario and Quebec, eight each for Alberta and British Columbia, four each for Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, respectively -three each for Manitoba and Nova Scotia, and two each for Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

The other 25 votes came from players (two votes, one from each national team), Canadian professional league and clubs (21), referees (one) and coaches (one).

Canada Soccer did not release vote totals in announcing the results.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2023