After a brief moratorium was placed on new intakes as announced via Information Bulletin 2023-30 by Canada Soccer, Ontario Soccer is announcing the window for applications for the Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence – and associated Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) Licence – is now open. 

The National Youth Club Licence is the highest category of recognition for youth soccer organizations within the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program. Organizations achieving this licence display characteristics and demonstrate behaviours aligned with the highest expectations of governance, administration, infrastructure, and technical support for their Member Association and Canada Soccer Pathways, and participate in the highest level of competition in Canada. 

Interested Clubs have the opportunity to submit a letter of intent to apply for the Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence online here by no later than August 31, 2025. 

The Process 
After August 31, organizations submitting a Declaration of Intent will be provided with access to the Canada Soccer Club Licensing System and National Youth Club Licence Application Package, which must be submitted to Canada Soccer by November 1, 2025, to proceed to the review process. 

Canada Soccer will then complete the initial assessment. Those successful in meeting the standards for all the criteria will then be passed on to Ontario Soccer for further review and assessment. A summary of the comprehensive process will include the following: 

• Initial Club Leadership OPDL Licensing Review On-boarding Call 
• The appointment and introduction of a Club Assessor that will be tasked with conducting site visits of the Club
• Appoint a qualified independent OPDL Assessment & Review Committee to review the site visit reporting and results, along with all other submissions made by the Club towards both National Youth Club Licence and OPDL Licence criteria in the areas of Governance, Finance & Administration, Infrastructure and Technical Support. 
• Independent Assessment & Review Committee will then provide recommendations to Ontario Soccer for final review and decision to be rendered 
• The Ontario Soccer Board of Directors engages on final decisions relative to new OPDL intakes 
• A meeting will then be held with Club staff to review the final decision put forth 

More details, with associated timelines connected to the above, will be shared directly with Clubs that are successful in meeting the initial Canada Soccer assessment criteria. 

 Additional information on the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program, including the specific requirements of the National Youth Club Licence, are available within the Play section of the Canada Soccer website as well as Ontario Soccer’s website here. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Matthew Kassabian, Manager, OPDL & Club Development.