League1 Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Soccer Association, is pleased to announce the exciting addition of a women's semi-professional division for 2015.

The inaugural 2015 League1 Ontario's women's division will be comprised of six organizations, each chosen through a standards-based application process with specific attention directed to the development of women's soccer in Ontario.

“This is another proud day for women's soccer in our province and in Canada,” OSA President Ron Smale said. “With the 2015 Women's FIFA World Cup in Canada, the launch of a semi-pro women's league in Ontario will provide more opportunities for our female athletes by providing a higher level of competition, and a pathway for soccer excellence.

As a provincial body, this is another step in our ongoing commitment and dedication to improving the landscape of soccer in Ontario and Canada. I am looking forward to an exciting and rewarding season.”

“The inclusion of a Women’s Division has been priority from the outset of this project so it is incredibly gratifying to make this announcement today,” League1 Ontario Chairman Dino Rossi said. “To be able to provide a vibrant and professional competition and training environment for the best female players in the Province of Ontario will pay significant dividends for the continued growth of Women’s soccer over the long term.”

The six League1 Ontario women's teams are as follows:

• ANB Futbol 
• Durham United FC 
• North Mississauga SC 
• Pro Stars FC 
• Sanjaxx Lions 
• Vaughan SC 

ANB Futbol, Pro Stars FC and Sanjaxx Lions are all OSA Recognized Non-Club (ORNCA) academies.

“I think it was the perfect time for the OSA to launch this league. I believe in Canada we have the ability to launch one of the best female leagues in the world, as we have the talent pool of players, coaches and leaders,” said Josef Komlodi, Academy Technical Director of Pro Stars FC. “I believe this league to be the ideal platform for young Canadian talent to grow and turn our game into a world class performance. At Pro Stars, we have recruited some of the best coaches in the female game, we have a very good product for the field, and I think our fans will enjoy the quality of play.”

The remaining three are OSA members. Vaughan Soccer Club and Durham United FC – operated by the Pickering Soccer Club – are also members of the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).

“We continue to be in active conversations with other organizations who wish to join the League1 Ontario Women’s Division in 2015,” Rossi added. “We hope to have more good news to announce soon.”

The League1 women's division will kick off on May 2015. The location for the inaugural match and the teams that will take part are to be announced.

CONTACT
Cormac Rea
Communications Coordinator
League1 Ontario
crea@soccer.on.ca
Ph: 613-299-0374 
(mobile) 
www.league1ontario.com
@League1Ontario

Ben Rycroft
Communications Manager
Ontario Soccer Association
brycroft@soccer.on.ca
Ph: 905-264-9390 x 255
www.ontariosoccer.net
@OSA_Tweeter