In September 2019, the Ontario Soccer Board of Directors, District Association Presidents and Ontario Registered Academies (ORA) formed a Project Working Group to work towards the full integration of registered private academies into the mainstream Ontario Soccer competition and development system.

The Working Group has targeted the 2021 Outdoor season for implementation.

This has been a long-term vision for Ontario Soccer and was included in the organization’s 2016-2018 strategic plan.

The Working Group is currently active and made of up equal representation of District and ORA leaders along with members of Ontario Soccer's Board of Directors.

The following is an update of work completed to date:

1. All 50 ORAs are registering their players, coaches and administrators in the District they are resident in, which includes operations in 14 Member District Associations.

2. There is an agreement by the Working Group to continue with the operation of the Ontario Academy Soccer League (OASL) in 2020 while 2021 implementation is being planned. ORAs are also provided the option to play in District run leagues for 2020. For those ORAs that choose this option, they can compete for promotion to Regional leagues in 2021 and can also enter Ontario Cup competition through confirmed membership status within their District.

3. The Working Group created a draft 2021 Competition Framework Model and Competition Standards as it relates to District and Regional play within the province.

4. The Working Group hosted a Club and Academy Technical Director Focus Group (22 attendees) to solicit feedback on the draft District and Regional Competition Framework Model and Competition Standards.

5. Two Task Force Groups have been created which are made up of leaders from our membership. There is a Technical Task Force and an Administrative Task Force. The respective Task Force group will be working on the technical development and administrative requirements for the draft District and Regional Competition Framework Model.

6. The next steps include a presentation to the District Presidents’ Forum and the Ontario Soccer Board of Directors for input later this year on the draft District and Regional Competition Framework Model and Competition Standards. Following review by both those groups, there will be further consultation with Ontario Soccer membership