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OPDL RFP Questions

Q1: Can a District Association apply on behalf of multiple member organizations?

A: No. OPDL is open to any Ontario Soccer-affiliated youth soccer club or ORNCA-approved academy in good standing.

Q2: If an applicant chooses to use pre-approved fields for their home games, must they choose the field in advance, and if so, how are we to go about securing a facility to host opdl games?

A: No they don't need to have them booked, nor can they. They just need to be able to give reasonable assurance that they can book them when the time comes. This will occur during technical visit in the evaluation process, if they are shortlisted.

Q3: The following questions are in respect of those soccer organizations who want to create a joint venture to apply for an OPDL license.:

  1. Do such soccer organizations have to incorporate and name it as the applicant; or can such soccer organizations enter into and operate the License under a joint venture agreement thus eliminating the need for incorporation.   
  2. Can such soccer organizations submit a binding letter of intent or memorandum of understanding which would require them to incorporate or enter into a joint venture agreement but only on the condition precedent that Ontario Soccer has approved the OPDL application?

A: An application to hold an OPDL License can only come from an existing, sanctioned club or Ontario Recognized Academy in good standing with Ontario Soccer and MOUs between organizations with intentions to create an OPDL entity are not sufficient.

Q4: Are OPDL license holders permitted to train their players in difference locations? Are there any residency rules on training locations?

A: There are no restrictions on where OPDL license holders train their players. multiple locations are permitted on the proviso that a strong technical rationale can support such a decision. if an applicant club/academy plans to train its OPDL squads in multiple locations, this should be stipulated in their application and it will be technically assessed accordingly by the OPDL Assessment & Selection Committee.

Q5: can organizations enter into a "OPDL Player Movement Agreement" in order to form an affiliation in the opdl?

A: An OPDL Player Movement Agreement can be established after acceptance into OPDL. For joint ventures, please refer to Q3 above.

Q6: CAN AN ORGANIZATION SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR MORE THEN JUST THE U13 AGE GROUP FOR 2020? IF YES, THEN ANY DOCUMENTATION STATED FOR U13 IN THE APPLICATION IT MUST ALSO BE SUBMITTED FOR THOSE OTHER AGE GROUPS?

A: Application for early entrance into older age groups (U14 and older) will be only considered upon assessment that applicant far exceeds the necessary standards to enter OPDL and delivers these standards uniformly across all age groups. Upon completion of "Stage I", applicants can declare their interest to apply for early entrance into older age groups. At that time, documentation required for additional age groups will be requested.

Q7: can Can the identified Physical Training Provider be the same individual as the Fitness Coach?

A: Yes. Provided the individual or organization fulfill the necessary qualifications, the individual or organization can be assigned to both roles.

Q8: In case the Technical Director for the organization is not a trained NCCP Coach Developer, is it sufficient to have access to a trained NCCP Coach Developer?

A: No, the Technical Lead must have completed or be in the process of completing the NCCP Coach Developer accreditation.

Q10: Can coaches working with development players (U8-U12) hold a "National C License" or "National B Part I"?

A: All coaches working with development players (U8-U12) must hold stage-appropriate LTPD coaching certification. (Fundamentals or Learn to Train). Age group lead coaches at each age group should be the holder of the Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma, Canada Soccer Children's License (Certified) or FIFA Grassroots Award.

Q11: The following questions relate to applications submitted by private organizations

 

Q11.1 Are private organizations required to submit a constitution and bylaws or are the corporation files sufficient? 

A: Articles of Incorporation are sufficient to confirm legal status. Private organizations can submit corporation files and are except from submitting constitution and by-laws.

Q11.2 Are private organization require to hold an Annual General Meeting?

Yes. Ontario Statutes requires at least one (1) Director in Ontario corporations. The Director can be a shareholder and an officer as well. The Director(s) must cause a financial statement to be presented to the shareholders annually at a meeting called for that purpose.  As such, this requires some annual event.  For small corporations, this could be done by resolution and would be prepared by the organization’s lawyer.

Q11.3 Are private organization required to have policies and procedures for the administration of appeals that are independent of the Board of Directors or owner?

Yes, any member organization, including private organizations, must provide an opportunity for appeal of decisions to an independent body. In case the initial decision is made by the owner/business operator, the appeal should then be heard by a different body in order to avoid any conflict of interest. In most cases, appeals would go to a higher governing body. Process should be described in the policies of the organization and provided to all members.

Q11.4 Are private organizations required to have a Board of Directors?

Yes. Ontario Statutes requires at least one (1) Director in Ontario corporations. The Director can be a shareholder and an officer as well. That Director does in fact form the Board of Directors. 

Q11.5 Are private organizations required to have clear lines of accountability for the board (together with its standing committees) is responsible solely for the governing of the organization and management is responsible for administering programs, program structures, services, human resources and day-to-day operations including finances?

Assuming the owner(s)/director(s) also operate the day to day of the organization, this criterion would not be applicable.

However, if the board is not composed by operators of the business, this criteria would be applicable and application must demonstrate the clear lines of accountability by its board.

Q11.6 Are private organizations required to have a policy board that defines the relationship between the board of directors, the administrative lead, the judicial bodies, and the stakeholders by Governance Policies that are approved by the board.  Is this applicable for private academies?

Assuming the owner(s)/director(s) also operate the day to day of the organization, this criterion would not be applicable.

However, if the board is not composed by operators of the business, this criteria would be applicable and application must clearly demonstrate the relationship between board of directors and the administrative lead, the judicial bodies and stakeholders.

Q11.7 Are private organizations expected to operate a recreational program?

No expectation from any applicant to run a recreational program, however, if such program exists it must be included on the application.

Q12: where can my organization find more information about the "respect in the workplace program"?

A: The Respect in the Workplace Program was developed by the Respect Group. For more information, please visit: https://www.ontariosoccer.net/respect-in-sport

 

Q13: How is the "Staff productivity ratio" and "Technical cost margin" calculated?

A:  These items are calculated using the formula below:

Staff Productivity Ratio = total revenue/total staff payroll

Technical Cost Margin = total technical expense/total expenses

Technical expense may include:

Anything spent in the technical area outside of program costs (facilities, equipment, travel, etc.). 

Q14: How is the average earning calculated?

A: This is calculated by aggregating the surplus (or deficit) for the organization over the last 5 years, divided by 5.