opdl overview
Welcome to the Aurora Football Club Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) program.
Aurora FC is proud to have been one of the 18 clubs in Ontario granted an inaugural OPDL license in 2013, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to player development. The OPDL is part of the Canada Soccer Player Pathway and represents the province’s highest level of youth soccer, providing a high-performance environment designed to identify and develop players with the potential to represent Canada at the international level.
At Aurora FC, we respect the standards established by Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer and are committed to providing our athletes with a professional training environment focused on long-term player development. Through careful selection and recruitment, we have assembled a highly qualified group of coaches dedicated to supporting each player’s individual growth both on and off the field.
Benefits of the AFC OPDL Program
As a member of the Aurora FC OPDL program, players benefit from:
Quality Instruction
Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
Top-Level Competition
Exposure to the highest level of youth soccer in Ontario.
Scouting & Identification
Regular attendance from Ontario Soccer technical staff and scouts.
Sport Performance Support
Access to sport performance and athletic development support.
Structured Calendar
A league calendar that allows families to plan well in advance.
Player-First Philosophy
Individual growth is prioritized over results.
AFC OPDL Program
Club Integrity
Aurora FC takes great pride in holding an OPDL license and remains committed to meeting and exceeding the standards established by Ontario Soccer.
Each OPDL team is led by a dedicated Head Coach appointed by the club, supported by qualified technical staff. Our coaches and sport performance staff are highly respected within the soccer community and have a proven track record of developing players for the next level.
Aurora FC also benefits from training and competing in some of the top soccer facilities in Aurora and the surrounding region.
Regional Talent Centre Success
While match results are part of the competitive environment, our primary focus remains player development. Aurora FC has seen more than 80+ players identified and invited to Ontario Soccer Provincial Screening Weekends, an important step within the Canada Soccer talent identification pathway.
About the OPDL
In 2013, Aurora Football Club became one of 18 clubs licensed by Ontario Soccer to participate in the inaugural 2014 OPDL season.
The addition of this elite development program, combined with Aurora FC’s Ontario Soccer Gold Standard Club Excellence designation, demonstrates our commitment to providing a professional development environment for aspiring high-performance players.
The OPDL is Canada Soccer’s first standards-based youth high-performance league. It combines top-level competition with strict training, coaching, and performance standards to support long-term player development.
Aurora FC’s player-centered philosophy aims to develop each player to their full potential while following Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) principles.
For more information on the OPDL, please visit:
www.theopdl.com
OPDL Parent Handbook
Parent Handbook
to help families better understand the OPDL environment and expectations.
Parents are strongly encouraged to review the handbook in full to gain a better understanding of the league and its high-performance standards.
OPDL Standards & Criteria
As Canada’s first standards-based youth league, OPDL requires all license holders to meet strict technical and operational criteria designed to support player development.
Coaching
- Head Coach with a minimum National B Diploma
- Assistant Coach with a minimum C Diploma
Player Assessments
- Two (2) written player evaluations during the season
- One (1) verbal evaluation with players and parents
- Ongoing feedback and development discussions throughout the season
Training & Performance
- 4:1 Training-to-Game Ratio
- One (1) sport performance / athletic development session per week
- Three (3) field training sessions per week
- One (1) match per week
- Implementation of a 4-3-3 playing system
- Periodized training schedule aligned with the OPDL season
- No indoor OPDL competition during the winter months
Game Day
- Season runs May through September
- Matches are typically played on Saturdays or Sundays, with occasional mid-week matches
- Unlimited substitutions at halftime
- Roster Size: Minimum 16 players, Maximum 18 players
2026 OPDL Coaching Staff
| Division | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| U13 (2013) | Terry Katsoris terrykatsoris@gmail.com | Rick Rosemin jrosemin@gmail.com |
| U14 (2012) | Rodolphe Wilhelm rodolphewilhelm@gmail.com | Angelo Papafrangos apapafrangos@gmail.com |
| U15 (2011) | Rodolphe Wilhelm rodolphewilhelm@gmail.com Johnny Borsellino borseljx@gmail.com | Angelo Papafrangos apapafrangos@gmail.com |
| U16 (2010) | Shengyang Song shengyang.song.afc@gmail.com | Johnny Borsellino borseljx@gmail.com |
| U17 (2009) | Johnny Borsellino borseljx@gmail.com | — |