Canada Soccer has announced the creation of a new Boys and Girls Player Development Championship which will launch in the summer of 2024. The Player Development Program (PDP) Championship is an opportunity to showcase the quality of the game and organizations involved, as well as strengthening the connection between standards-based programs across the country.

“We are excited to add another high-caliber team tournament for our local communities and grassroots movement in Canada,” said Jason deVos, interim general secretary, Canada Soccer. “For many participants, the PDP Championship will be a flagship event and serve as a tool to support player retention in standards-based environments.”

The Canada Soccer PDP is a network of standards-based programs that represent the highest level of amateur youth soccer in Canada. Participating organizations (clubs and academies) must hold the National Youth Club License, the highest category of recognition for amateur youth clubs within the Club Licensing Program, and meet any additional requirements of the based program. on standards.

Currently, the following standards-based programs are recognized as part of the PDP network:

• Alberta Youth Soccer League (AYSL)
• British Columbia Premier Soccer League (BCSPL)
• Ontario Player Development League (OPDL)
• First Youth Soccer League of Quebec (PLSJQ)

“There is a real need and desire for a national competition to further develop our young players and strengthen our reserves,” he said. Dave Nutt, Interim Director of Development for Canada Soccer. “This new initiative further ties into Canada Soccer’s strategic plan, which includes the goal of launching standards-based competition structures leading to peak domestic events and aligned with the recent ecosystem analysis report of FIFA talents aimed at increasing opportunities and competitions in national leagues.”

The PDP championship will be launched in 2024 under the following structure:

• Categories: Girls and Boys – U-15 and U-17
• Date: August 2024
• Participation: Two (2) teams per member association – eight (8) teams in total; The member association determines how teams qualify for the PDP Championship.
• Structure: Two (2) pools with classification crossover (1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4); four (4) team matches

The PDP Championship is organized as a team event focused on individual and team performance on the field as well as education and bond development off the field. It will include match analysis, player identification and scouting opportunities through Canada Soccer’s EXCEL program.

By introducing club-level standards – all of which draw on player development best practices from the world’s leading nations – Canada Soccer aims to help and support clubs to better focus their efforts on creating the best environment possible for the development of players and coaches. .