Each year, OPDL publishes the "OPDL Parent/Guardian Handbook" to better assist parents/guardians on understanding the scope of OPDL and how they can support the young athletes in the program.

Parents/Guardian are often inquiring about the transition soccer has taken in the Province since the implementation of LTPD and the OPDL. OPDL was developed by the Ontario Soccer Association over a three year period from 2011 to 2014. It rose from a desire in many Ontario youth soccer clubs to participate in a genuine high performance player development league; One that was athlete-centric, standards-based and focused on high-level training and coaching excellence, rather than simply winning and losing. The Ontario Soccer Association formed a committee of technical experts called the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to investigate our system of player development. 'Come up with a better way to help our best become their best,' OSA President Ron Smale said.

The 2016 Handbook is a valuable document, not only for parents of existing OPDL Players, but also for parents that are considering the program in the near future or are simply interested on High-Performance Programs. The following are the summaries of five sections available in the Handbook.

What is different about OPDL?

OPDL isn't just a soccer league. In fact, competition is a relatively small part of it. The League moves the focus from solely trying to win a game at all costs, to win a trophy or to avoid relegation, to developing players through a structured blend of high performance training and age-appropriate game play. In OPDL, you will see mandatory heightened training with sport science and sport medicine components, complimenting regular weekly game play against other top players, from May to October.

Among others, you will find answers in the 2016 Handbook that will help you understand:

• What are the coaching requirements for OPDL License Holders? 
• Does OPDL demands minimum training standards?
• Where and when OPDL games can be played?
• What can I expect to see at OPDL venues?

Selecting an OPDL License Holder

Every parent wants to ensure they make the right decision when it comes to their children's future. It is not different when it comes to selecting an OPDL License Holder. Details on the process, as well as some tips, are provided in the handbook, including:

• Are all OPDL License offering the same program and for the same price?
• Should I join the License Holder closer to my home?
• Selecting License Holders based on Coaching Personnel, not an individual Coach.
• How OPDL focuses on developing athletes, above teams.
• Guide of common questions that parents should ask their prospective License Holder.

Commitment as an OPDL Parent

For a parent of an emerging high performance athlete, commitment is in many ways as high as that of the player. By its very nature, high performance sports are tough. It tends to be inconvenient, uncomfortable and expensive. But the rewards for the pursuit of excellence are great!

The ability of an athlete and their support group to withstand these pressures and challenges helps define their success. No athlete makes it at this level without a strong commitment to do so, fuelled by an insatiable passion to succeed, and a dependable support group.

The 2016 Handbook highlights some of these commitments and important insights on support provided by OPDL and the License Holders.

Supporting Participation in OPDL

Success of OPDL players depends on the degree of support that parents/guardians can give. Fundamentally, this relates to emotional support, as well as practical support in ensuring OPDL Players are properly prepared and cared for at OPDL related events, alongside your OPDL License Holder's efforts.

Some considerations are exemplified in the Handbook to guide parents on their effort to monitor and work together with the OPDL Team Staff.

OPDL Calendar & Cost

What to expect from the 2016 OPDL Season? The Handbook outlines the framework of the schedule and when OPDL Parents can expect to start and end the 2016 season. In addition, an overview on costs associated with OPDL is included, highlighting that, each License Holder is individually responsible for the final price, taking into account their technical, operational and administrative cost to run the program. Details on the "OPDL Athlete Assistance Program" is also described in the document.

In 2016, with the expansion of the League to U-13s, U-14s and U-15s, age groups will be allocated to different days on the weekend, accommodating for travel and facilities.

An overview of the OPDL calendar, venues and guide on participation of events outside the OPDL schedule is detailed in the Handbook.

For further information on all these important areas and to find out more, the 2016 Handbook is available at http://www.ontariosoccer.net/opdl-resources