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The OPDL Spotlight Series - Aurora Youth Soccer Club

By OSA News, 09/19/16, 5:00PM EDT

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Aurroa Youth Soccer Club (AYSC) is a volunteer-directed organization, dedicated to growing the game and serving their community for over 50 years. AYSC provides their members with the highest level of soccer development possible and the opportunity to develop friendships in a healthy, inclusive, enjoyable and safe environment by embracing the concepts of good sportsmanship and fair play. They provide well-organized and administered programs that meet our members’ needs and embrace community values. They represent the sport of soccer in an ethical and responsible manner.

Why is it important for your club to be part of OPDL?

We are pleased to be one of 20 clubs in Ontario granted an inaugural license in 2013, further solidifying our commitment to player development. The OPDL is part of the Canada Soccer Pathway, a high performance stream of excellence, designed to streamline the identification process for players with a goal of representing Canada one day.

We respect the process and standards developed and mandated by the Canada Soccer and provide each one of our athletes wishing to compete at the OPDL level a top-notch environment for training and individual player development. Through careful selection of qualified candidates, we believe we have a group of some of the highest calibre coaches in the province.

What impact has the OPDL program made on your club overall?

The introduction of OPDL to AYSC has brought the community and the club closer together. AYSC boasts the highest per capita participation in Canada and its representative teams participate in Provincial and International play. Soccer is the common language in Aurora and it really brings families from around town together to join in the sport. OPDL has managed to find its way into the competitive side of things without losing the family feel that Aurora teams have and are very proud of.

What is something people should know about your OPDL program specifically?

We are excited to hold an OPDL license and we hold it with great pride. Through our coaching and administration staff, we ensure that our program is meeting and exceeding the standards set by the Ontario Soccer Association. All of our teams have a dedicated Head Coach appointed by the club. Our trainers and sport performance staff are well respected in the community and have a proven track record to know what it takes to push our athletes to the next level. We also train at the best facilities Aurora.

How has the OPDL impacted the club’s relationships with the parents?

Without the help of our wonderful parents and volunteers AYSC would not be the club it is. Soccer is a passion that many families share in Aurora.

Bringing the OPDL into town managed to bring more parents into the sport and really highlighted the importance that a strong club and parent relationship has for soccer in Canada.

Contributor Bio - David Diplacido

Raised in Aurora, where he started his soccer career playing for the AYSC, David is a true testament to their proud history. They are thrilled to have one of their own come full circle and give back to the soccer community that had so inspired him. He will be taking on the very important role of inspiring they soccer youth to reach their potential by providing technical stewardship for the Aurora Youth Soccer Club. After a successful playing career, representing Canada at the Youth World Cup and playing professional soccer in Canada and the USA, David obtained his USSF National B Coaching Licence and continued to advance his coaching experience. Over the past seven years David worked as the Camp Training Director for the Toronto FC, Assistant Coach of Seneca College Men’s Team, Technical Assistant for Woodbridge SC for six years including the role of Technical Director for the Female Program at the Woodbridge Soccer Club.