As Ontario Soccer and its membership works to meet the Club Licensing mandate from Canada Soccer, we are announcing the re-opening of the application window for the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program in Ontario that will be executed by each respective District Association.

As outlined in Information Bulletin I2021-099, Canada Soccer has mandated that all member Clubs (inclusive of not-for-profit and for-profit organizations) must hold a minimum Club Licence of “Quality Soccer Provider (QSP)”. This requirement can be found within Ontario Soccer’s Operational Procedures. There are no costs to acquire the QSP Club Licence.

The application window for the “Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program” will open on February 1, 2024 for applications at the level of QSP.

To complete the initial application, Clubs will need to provide the following information:

• Club Information
• Contact Information for the President, Executive Lead, Technical Lead and individual submitting the application
• A Letter of Commitment which must outline the Club's commitment to: 
  • the methods & values of Long-Term Player Development,
  • Safe Sport,
  • the Ontario Soccer Grassroots Standards,
  • the Ontario Soccer Talented Player Pathway,
  • not interact with unsanctioned organizations, unless approved by Ontario Soccer, and
  • being a good community citizen.

The letter must be completed on official Club letterhead, with a signature from an individual with executive authority to bind the club, and be in PDF file format.

To submit the initial application, Clubs should follow the appropriate link found in the table below, depending on which District they hold membership with.

The initial application will be reviewed for approval by the District Association. Once approved, the applicant Club will receive a Confidentiality Agreement that must be completed and executed by the Club, the District, and Ontario Soccer. Once this is executed, the Club will be given access to the Canada Soccer Club Licensing System (CLS), where evidence can be submitted to be assessed against the QSP criteria. A Guide will also be provided to assist Clubs in attaining their QSP Licence.

The timelines for the entire application and assessment process in 2023 follows below. Please note there are three opportunities to be announced as a new license recipient (windows shown below). Clubs are strongly encouraged to be proactive and set their goal to achieve the licence in the first available round.

While Ontario Soccer will coordinate the initial application process and access to the CLS, the majority of the assessments will be conducted by the Districts, with support and final approval from Ontario Soccer.

Please note: all information and documentation shall be submitted online.

If you have any further questions about the process, please contact Alex Di Noia, Senior Coordinator, OPDL & Club Development.