What You Need to Know
Pickering Soccer Club is 1 of only 39 clubs across the country to be recognised with a Canada Soccer National Youth License. ONLY clubs that have passed stringent criteria established by Canada Soccer have been awarded a license. This is the first phase of the license which will introduce lower levels of classification in the coming months.
Soccer as been void of a clear and precise assessment tool measuring a club’s ability to deliver effective soccer programming in its entirety. Lines were often blurred until Ontario Soccer began working toward clarity by creating OPDL as a standards-based league identifying a small group of clubs capable of maintaining these standards.
Canada Soccer has now expanded on the OPDL standards and created a national Licensing System where the most progressive 39 clubs, of over 1000 across Canada, are being recognised for their ongoing effort.
These standards are far-reaching; they take us beyond the pitch, they take into consideration the complete needs and well being of every individual participant making PSC your destination club!
Parents, players, coaches, match officials, and anyone involved in soccer across the country should be aware of how prestigious an honour this is and the great efforts that clubs like Pickering SC have gone to in building our programs, people, and facilities to this point.
The License is an ongoing process and doesn’t mean we get to sit back and relax. Assessments, training, and support are ongoing with the summary below outlining what a club like PSC has to demonstrate on an ongoing basis:
- Grassroots (U8-U12) program assessments by Provincial staff twice a year
- Complete curriculum from U3-Adult including pathways for Players, Coaches, and Match Officials
- Inclusive programs serving our entire community
- A holistic approach that supports each players physical, mental, social/emotional and technical development
- A Sports Science Plan including; strength/conditioning, injury prevention, and anti-doping
- A Facility Strategy to improve the infrastructure of soccer facilities in our province
- Licensed Coaches at all Development and Competitive levels
- Clear policies and procedures for child protection and safety
- Detailed financial planning including annual budgets and long-term investment in the game
- Modern governance structure in line with Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer leadership
- Compete in Canada Soccer aligned Development Leagues at specific age groups
The foundation for this License was established when the Club began working towards our Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) status in 2013 but the supplemental criteria from Canada Soccer has made the Club stronger by ensuring clear documentation is in place to offer quality programming and protect all involved.
Look out for this Club mark on our website, literature, and social media. It’s a constant reminder that you’ve made the right choice in PSC and we’re
#PSCProud
to have you here!
