Winter weather may have just arrived, but for many League1 Ontario players the off-season has been red-hot. In the last week alone, three players signed pro deals, 25 female players accepted athletic scholarships north and south of the border.

As part of This Week in League1, readers get an inside look at new League1 Ontario club, Aurora Youth Soccer Club, in the first of a series of profiles on the 2016 new additions. And our 2015 League1 Ontario women’s champs Durham United FC unveil a rebranding as “Durham United Football Alliance.”

To get things started though, west coast native and centre-back Liam Fraser was a rock in the centre of Toronto FC Academy’s 2015 team, which went undefeated in their final ten league matches. He also appeared in ten matches for the club’s USL side, Toronto FC II, and suitably impressed. Fraser was signed to the USL team on Wednesday February 10.

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With seven goals to her name in the 2015 League1 Ontario season, North Mississauga Panthers’ striker and vice-captain Krista Cellucci led from the front with deadly finishing ability and an unflagging work ethic. Cellucci earned a selection to the year-end League1 Ontario Next XI list, and attracted the attention of Norwegian first division side Fotballaget Fart. After trialing with the club in late January/ early February, Cellucci signed a contract with the pro side on Wednesday February 10.

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Nora Abolins won the 2015 League1 Ontario women's title with Durham United FC, and for her outstanding contributions (eleven clean sheets!) Abolins was also chosen to the all-star team, elected League1 MVP, and took home the Goalkeeper of the Year award. 

Now she's been signed to a pro contract by QBIK Karlstad in the Swedish second division.

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Under the guise of Durham United FC, Pickering Soccer Club led a community partnership of clubs into League1 Ontario for the inaugural 2014 season. Now, the club is getting a new look and rebrand as “Durham United Football Alliance,” featuring a redesigned logo, identity, and refreshed partnerships with both Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club and West Rouge Soccer Club. 

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Situated just north of Toronto, Aurora Youth Soccer Club is one of the latest additions to League1 Ontario, featuring both men’s and women’s teams for the 2016 season. The club has a fascinating history, a proven track record of youth development, and strong leadership at the top from ex-Canada international and Toronto FC alumni, Jimmy Brennan. Learn all about Aurora Youth Soccer Club in this interview with Brennan - the first in a series of profiles on new League1 Ontario teams. 

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Led by an astounding list of 18 commitments to top soccer programs north and south of the border from the Woodbridge Soccer Club’s League1 Ontario women’s team, over 25 players from last year’s inaugural League1 Ontario women’s division have already accepted offers of scholarship for 2016. 

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