Toronto FC and Ontario Soccer announced a new three-year corporate partnership agreement. Toronto FC becomes the Premier Partner of Ontario Soccer as well as the Presenting Partner of the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), the province’s youth high performance league.
“This partnership will increase the efforts of Ontario Soccer and TFC to grow the game of soccer in Ontario and highlight the pathway for male elite players to realize their potential, whether that be CIS, NCAA or professional soccer at TFC,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Together through this unique partnership, we can take leadership positions in the technical areas of player development, coaching and referee education and player identification all while connecting on the commercial end with business who want to invest and grow the game.”
Toronto FC will support Ontario Soccer in amplifying the brand of the OPDL, as well as establishing an improved scouting reach across the province. The partnership may include expanded financial support from Toronto FC to help lessen financial barriers that often restrict OPDL athletes from participating.
“Toronto FC has stepped up here corporately and is investing in soccer to positively affect all levels of our sport in Ontario,” said Ontario Soccer Executive Director Johnny Misley. “While TFC is partnered with us already in the athlete talented pathway, this investment now goes deeper into the grassroots, as they care about the beautiful game as much as we do.”
Toronto FC and Ontario Soccer previously announced a sporting partnership last March, which put TFC at the forefront of the national player development model for soccer in Ontario via the Toronto FC Academy. Through the academy and its world-class coaching staff and facilities, the partnership recognizes the TFC Academy as the top option for male players of distinction in Ontario.
The enhanced partnership between Toronto FC and Ontario Soccer will include development programs for players, both at the high performance and grassroots levels.
