Ontario Soccer – Vaughan, ON – Ontario Soccer’s Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) will officially enter its fifth season this weekend, as games kick off across the province at nine centralized venues.

Twenty-four Clubs and one Private Academy are confirmed for the upcoming season as the OPDL has expanded to new areas of the province that previously did not have representation.

“The OPDL program is the top training and competition environment for our province’s youth athletes that provides them the development opportunities and exposure so they can meet their future goals in the game,” said Johnny Misley, Ontario Soccer Chief Executive Officer. “OPDL organizations prepare these talented athletes for opportunities at the provincial team, national program and Toronto FC Academy levels by showcasing their skills to scouts from across North America.”

Launched in 2014 at the provinces’ top standards based youth program, with the 2001 male and female age groups, the OPDL now phases-in the fifth and final age group for the organizations to continue to refine their program, according to the Ontario Soccer Talented Pathway.

“Now that the OPDL age group roll-out is complete, the next steps are continuing to align the Provincial programming with the National program and ensure our athletes are future national team players,” said Gary Miller, Ontario Soccer Technical Director. “We’re excited to see Ontario’s athletes graduate beyond the U-17 age group and into our Senior standards based league, League1 Ontario, an additional platform for them to continue to showcase and refine their skills.”

New in 2018, will be the opportunity for U-15 OPDL athletes to compete at the Ontario Summer Games, held this year in London.

“Following the lead and direction by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ontario Soccer has re-calibrated entry eligibility into the Ontario Summer Games program to ensure that athletes attending the Ontario Summer Games are the top athletes within a specified age group,” said Gabriel Assis, Ontario Soccer Manager of Player Development.

The event will also serve as the final stage for the 2018 U-15 OPDL Cup and in addition to the competition, a series of workshops and practical sessions are scheduled for players, coaches and match officials attending the games.

Visit [TheOPDL.com]TheOPDL.com for schedules, scores and more.

About Ontario Soccer

Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is the largest provincial sports organization in Canada. Its members include 21 District Associations, more than 650 Clubs, 45 private academies, servicing over 24,000 teams with 403,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 9,500 match officials. Ontario Soccer develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable programs and services throughout Ontario with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders. Ontario Soccer also operates League1 Ontario, a provincial professional-amateur men’s and women’s league as well as the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), the province’s youth premier development league.

Media Contact 

Ben Rycroft | Communications Manager | Ontario Soccer | brycroft@ontariosoccer.net | 905-264-9390 x 255