Ontario Player Development League (OPDL)
Ontario Player Development League
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The Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) is one of the province's first standards-based, youth high performance league that combines top level competition with strict high performance training standards. This innovative exciting youth high performance program is an important component of the overall movement to adopt the core principles of Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) across soccer at large in Ontario and Canada. OPDL encompasses the U13 to U17 age categories, for both males and females. OPDL represents young players' early graduation to a genuine high performance training environment, targeting the top athletes in the province from age groups U13 to U17, constituting the highest level of competitive youth soccer in Ontario. OPDL operates more as a high-performance training program than merely a league. Our OPDL teams train 3-4 times per week for most of the year while taking a month off in December. |
OPDL 2024 Coaching Announcements
We are Delighted to announce the following Coaches as our 2024 OPDL Coaching Staff!
U13 Boys
- James Larkin - Head Coach (UEFA B License)
- Darren White - Assistant Coach (CSA C License)
U14 Boys
- Morgan O'Hanrahan - Head Coach (UEFA A License)
- Darren White - Assistant Coach ( CSA C License)
U15 Girls
- James Larkin - Head Coach (UEFA B License)
- Billy Camperlino - Assistant Coach (CSA C License)
U16 Girls
- Ralph Holah - Head Coach (CONCACAF B License In Progress)
- Ryan Day - Assistant Coach (CSA Youth License)
U17 Boys
- Morgan O'Hanrahan - Head Coach (UEFA A License)
- Chad Beaulieu - Assistant Coach (CSA 'B' License)
Kingston United SC are joining the OPDL in 2020
Ontario Soccer’s Player Development Program has announced that four new organizations have received licenses to join the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) for 2020 and 2021.
After a comprehensive review process over the last eight months, the Board of Directors of Ontario Soccer recently approved the final list of applicant organizations.
Sigma FC, Rush Canada, Kingston United SC and FC Durham join the current 25 license holders made up of Clubs and Academies from around Ontario which support the advancement of athletes along the province’s Talented Pathway.
OPDL represents young players' early graduation to a genuine high performance training environment, targeting the top athletes in the province with what is the highest level of youth competitive soccer in Ontario. Unlike other leagues, the OPDL operates more as a high performance training program than merely a league.
“This is an exciting time for the OPDL. With the additional four new license holders, we are expanding the footprint of the OPDL across the province and we’re adding organizations with a reputation for developing elite-level players and coaches,” said Johnny Misley, Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Soccer. “These additions will strengthen our high performance program and provide another step for athletes, coaches and now even, match officials along the Talented Pathway.”
Launched in 2014 with the 2001 age group, the OPDL is the province's premier standards-based, youth high performance program and league that combines top level competition with strict high performance training standards. This innovative high performance program is an important component of the overall movement to adopt the core principles of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) across soccer at large in Ontario and Canada.
In 2019, 80 per cent of Ontario’s male Provincial Teams were made up of OPDL players. Additionally, 80 per cent of this year’s new intake to Toronto FC Academy are from the OPDL.
On the female side, over 93 per cent of Provincial Players identified were originally from OPDL organizations. Within the Canada Soccer Regional Excel program, over 94 per cent of participants were made up of OPDL players.
“The addition of these new license holders sets the OPDL up for continued excellence in the area of identifying and developing athletes,” said Gary Miller, Director of Soccer Operations of Ontario Soccer.
Kingston United SC is an organization with a proven record of implementing Long Term Player Development principles and providing quality technical programming for youth players. Their acceptance into OPDL, provides players in the South East Region of Ontario with a direct avenue into Ontario’s player development system.
