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OPDL And BCSPL Collaborating On Standards Based Programs

By OSA News, 08/30/16, 5:15PM EDT

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The Ontario Soccer Association and BC Soccer staff have met over the summer to discuss and propose collaborative initiatives between the B.C. Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) and the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).

The two programs are committed to raising the standards of youth soccer and share similar challenges and successes after operating for a few years.

The BCSPL was established five years ago and currently has eight clubs participating in the U-13 to U-18 age groups for male and female players.

OPDL was launched in 2014 and has 21 License Holders participating in the U-13 to U-15 age group in 2016, for male and female players. The OPDL will expand to the U-16 age group in 2017.

In this first meeting, Luca Dalla Pace, High Performance Pathway Officer from BC Soccer, visited the OSA to meet with OPDL staff and learn more about the OPDL and the plans for the future.

Gabriel Assis, Sr. Coordinator, OPDL, outlined some key areas in OPDL that could benefit from a collaboration between the two programs including: sharing of best practices on league management, competition format, assessment of standards, coach education and marketing.

OSA High Performance Manager, Bryan Rosenfeld, and OSA Technical Director, Gary Miller had the opportunity to share the success of OPDL in the areas of player development and player identification.

The collaboration between programs will continue in the following months, increasing the exchange of information and committing to enhance the playing standards. This collaboration will follow the direction of the Canadian Soccer Association on the implementation of its strategic plan.

In the near future, other provinces will be engaged in the conversation to support the growth and development of the National Player Development Pathway through Provincial Standards Based Programs.