Toronto FC announced Tuesday that the Kia Toronto FC Academy U-11 and U-10 teams will participate in the upcoming 2016 York Region Soccer League (YRSL) outdoor season. The YRSL is a district league operated by the York Region Soccer Association (YRSA). The YRSL includes over 400 teams in age divisions from U-8 to U-18 for both males and females. This announcement coincides with the recently renewed partnership with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) that focuses on player and coaching development that inspires and encourages Ontarians to play soccer.
“We are proud to open our doors to the YRSL in an effort to grow the future of our sport, support all youth in their development and help them achieve their dreams,” said Kia Toronto FC Academy Director Laurent Guyot. “I’m looking forward to our U-11 and U-10 teams participating in the 2016 YRSL outdoor season. This is an exciting time for our two youngest academy teams to play meaningful matches against distinguished member clubs.”
During the 2016 season, the YRSA and the Kia Toronto FC Academy will collaborate to maximize the development of grassroots soccer in York Region. The YRSA technical directors and coaches will have the opportunity to participate in various on field coaching development sessions with Kia Toronto FC Academy Director Laurent Guyot.
“This is an exciting time for the York Region Soccer Association. Gaining access to the professional soccer knowledge from a MLS franchise will have a tremendous impact on our district in terms of player development and coaching education,” said Technical Director of the York Region Soccer Association Erik Stoffelshaus. “We are honoured that the Kia Toronto FC Academy teams are participating in our development league. This demonstrates the significance of our grassroots program in York Region and the development level of our membership clubs.”
About the York Region Soccer Association
The York Region Soccer Association (YRSA) was formed in 1982 and is a registered not-for-profit Ontario corporation overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors. The association operates with paid staff to provide programs and services for over 53,000 registrants in the Region of York as of 2016. Affiliated with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA), the YRSA is one of the largest district associations that participate in the governance of soccer in Ontario. With representation on the Board of Directors of the OSA, the YRSA assists in the development of policy and procedures, and provides the delivery of programs, adult and youth leagues, services and governance to its members. The membership consists of 15 youth clubs with defined boundaries, four senior clubs and associate members.
