As Ontario Soccer and its membership continues their recovery and Return to Play, we are providing an update on the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program in Ontario.

Since Bulletin I2021-034, Canada Soccer has announced the mandate that all member clubs (inclusive of not-for-profit and for-profit organizations) must hold a minimum Club Licence of “Quality Soccer Provider” by Outdoor Season 2023.

This requirement has been reviewed and approved by Ontario Soccer’s Board of Directors and can now be found within the updated 2022 and 2023 Operational Procedures, which take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

The new application window for the “Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program” will re-open in 2022 for applications at the level of Quality Soccer Provider (QSP).

Clubs that initiated the process in 2020 but were unable to complete the assessment due to the effects of the global pandemic are encouraged to re-apply and begin the process anew. Unfortunately, due to the elapsed time from the original submissions, the modified realities of soccer organizations post-pandemic, as well as the migration of the assessment process into a nationally centralized on-line platform, all documentation will need to be updated and resubmitted.

Any and all new Clubs that are interested in achieving the QSP Club Licence are encouraged to apply through the new process.

To ensure the program is delivered to the highest standards possible, the number of organizations that will be assessed in 2022 will be limited. The total number of available application spots will be communicated, along with more information on the timelines and portals for submission, in January 2022. Ontario Soccer asks for your patience as we guide the province through this transition while working on collaboration with the District Associations and Canada Soccer.

Organizations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and, should they not be successful in entering the assessment pool for 2022, that they prepare to apply ahead of 2023 to initiate the process in line with Canada Soccer’s mandate. Organizations that have applied ahead of 2023 will be considered in compliance with this mandate if not formally approved by the start of the 2023 Outdoor Season.

Please note that all information and documentation shall be submitted online. This includes the initial letter of intent and all documentation to follow. Interested organizations are required to provide an Endorsement Letter from their District Association when submitting their Letter of Intent.

Prior to January 2022, when the window for submitting a Letter of Intent opens, Ontario Soccer would like to encourage all Clubs and their staff to prepare their application packages based on the criteria as listed online on OntarioSoccer.net.  

If you have any further questions about the process, please contact Matt Ferreira, Manager, Coach Education, Player Development & Club Licensing

How do I stay connected to Ontario Soccer?

For further information please refer to the latest bulletins on the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members. Please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.

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