Oakville, ON – We are thrilled to share the news of a groundbreaking partnership that is set to elevate soccer in Oakville to unprecedented heights. The Oakville Soccer Club and Blue Devils FC have joined forces to create a comprehensive high performance pathway for players, all with the inspiring vision of uniting the community under the banner of “One Town, One Team.”
This collaboration combines the rich history, expertise, and passion of both organizations, revolutionizing the development of soccer players at all levels. Together, the Oakville Soccer Club and Blue Devils FC will be able to provide an unparalleled platform that fosters talent, promotes growth, and nurtures a love for the beautiful game.
The partnership pilot launches with the 2023-24 season. OSC and BDFC have formed a technical committee to select and develop coaches under OSC’s OPDL banner and work together to ensure team selection is based off athlete performance in the interest of forming the strongest team environments for selected players to grow in. The Clubs will work together throughout the year to strengthen the OPDL, Regional and District teams in OSC’s programming through enhanced coach and player development to promote development and promotions in all teams.
At this time, OSC will continue to run the Club’s Advanced Development Program, and BDFC will continue to run their Junior Academy program. All U13-U18 OPDL, District and Regional teams will be registered through OSC, will be overseen by the joint Technical Committee between the two clubs. The League1 Ontario program will be administered by BDFC. Throughout this partnership pilot, OSC and BDFC will work together to leverage expertise and visions to move toward a single club vision – One Town, One Team.
“We are thrilled about this new era of collaboration where competition gives way to unity and ambition unites us for a common cause – to unlock the full potential of our young players and cultivate a stronger soccer community here in Oakville,” says OSC Executive Director Katryna Indewey of the partnership.
“We are tremendously excited by this partnership with Oakville Soccer Club to create a complete player development pathway,” says Steven Caldwell, BDFC President. “Together, we intend to be ambitious in every aspect of the game to benefit the Canadian soccer players of today and tomorrow at every level.”
The key objectives of this partnership are as follows:
- Enhanced Player Development: The combined resources and experience of both clubs will enable the creation of an advanced player development pathway. This program will cater to players of all ages and skill levels, providing them with the best-in-class coaching, training facilities, and support to reach their full potential. This will further elevate the reputation of Oakville as a hub for soccer excellence.2. Clear Pathway for Progression: With a unified pathway, players will have a seamless journey from grassroots to high performance levels, and all areas in between. This clear and cohesive structure willensure that talented individuals are identified early on and given the opportunity to progress through the ranks, maximizing their chances of success.
- Community Engagement and Inclusivity: As “One Town, One Team,” the partnership aims to foster a strong sense of community and inclusivity. The clubs will work together to involve the local community in various initiatives, promoting diversity and bringing people together through their shared passion for soccer. This will also enhance the recreational soccer offering in the community by expanding the resources dedicated to raising soccer accessibility in Oakville and fostering a love of the game!
The Board of Directors, senior leadership teams and staff of the Oakville Soccer Club and Blue Devils FC are excited to embark on this incredible journey together. Both organizations firmly believe that this collaboration will create a legacy that will endure for generations, inspiring young soccer enthusiasts to dream big and aim for greatness.
This forward-thinking partnership is receiving enthusiastic support from leadership within the sport.
“It is great to see organizations come together, with a shared vision and mission, to better the football landscape in their community,” says Dino Rossi, of League1 Ontario. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of League1 Ontario, we congratulate Oakville Soccer Club and Blue Devils FC for this bold decision, and we expect that, in due time, it will reap great benefits for players, coaches, match officials and the larger football community in Oakville and Halton Region.”
Johnny Misley, CEO of Ontario soccer commented “Ontario Soccer commends the leadership of both Oakville SC and Blue Devils FC for their visionary approach to enhancing the overall service of soccer programming to their community. The combined efforts of both organizations, with a view to merge, not only embodies the value of collaboration, but also paves the way for others across Ontario.”
“This is an exciting initiative that will provide players more opportunities and allows the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) and League1 Ontario to align with greater fluidity in the Oakville community. The legacy and technical expertise will enhance the development of players and set an even higher operational standard for clubs within the Talented Pathway,” said Matt Ferreira, Director, Development, Ontario Soccer.
The “One Town, One Team” vision will unite the entire Oakville community behind the shared goal of promoting soccer excellence. This is an invitation to all residents, players, coaches, and supporters to be a part of this historic moment and contribute to the bright future of soccer in Oakville.
Stay tuned for more updates as we forge ahead in building a high-performance pathway that will shape the future of soccer in Oakville!
Media Contact
Katryna Indewey
Executive Director, Oakville Soccer Club
[email protected]
