BC SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE
The BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) is a standards-based development environment for girls and boys aged U14 to U18 and is positioned as the highest level of youth development community soccer within BC.
Its purpose is to bring together identified players from the BC Soccer membership in training and game environments that support overall development, as well as provide further opportunities for player identification into higher levels of play including, Provincial Programming, University, League1 BC, Professional, progression into adult community soccer, and ultimately, National teams programming.
It is the goal of BC Soccer to continue to be committed to a comprehensive approach to improve player development in British Columbia, ultimately, to make Canada a stronger soccer nation. Part of the broad-based plan was the creation and development of a High Performance League in BC. This league is known as the “BC SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE”. The BC Soccer Premier League will deliver on the following key development initiatives:
- Support CSA’s “Player First” mentality and its Long Term Player Development strategy
- Provide a CLEAR AND RECOGNIZED PATHWAY for players to be developed, identified and promoted
- Maintain and enhance High Performance Technical Standards
The BCSPL season has two phases over a calendar year.
Phase 1: Late February – June, culminating in the Provincial Premier Cup in late June.
Phase 2: September – November, is a round-robin League Cup competition.
OKANAGAN UNITED FC BCSPL PROGRAM
Okanagan United Football Club (OUFC)
Formerly known as Thompson Okanagan FC, OUFC proudly represents the BC Interior in the BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL), also referred to as the High Performance League (HPL). The BCSPL is the highest level of youth soccer in British Columbia and Canada, supported by BC Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps as the primary pathway for aspiring high-performance players.
OUFC holds the distinction of being the only BC Interior club to meet the standards required for the prestigious Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence. As a founding member of the BCSPL, OUFC is committed to excellence and advancing youth soccer development in alignment with the Canadian Soccer Association’s Long-Term Player Development Model.
Why BCSPL?
The BCSPL serves as the recognized pathway to:
- BC Provincial High-Performance Teams and Programming
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency (Boys) and Girls Elite REX Full-Time Programming
- Canadian and U.S. University and College Scouting Opportunities
Players seeking to elevate their game and get scouted for higher-level opportunities will find the BCSPL to be the ideal platform.
About the League
BCSPL teams compete in approximately 22-25 league games annually, divided into two phases:
- Spring/Summer Season (Phase 1): February to June
- Fall Season (Phase 2): September to November
The league also includes scheduled breaks during the summer and winter months, with OUFC teams attending a high-level tournament annually.
Our Mission
At OUFC, our mission is to meet the needs of our players by fostering excellence and advancement in soccer. We aim to build an active, healthy community while developing youth players to their fullest potential.
Okanagan
United FC
"One of Canada Soccer’s first-ever
National Youth Club Licence holders"
(August 5, 2019) Thompson Okanagan FC has been announced as one of Canada Soccer’s first-ever Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence holders. As the highest amateur youth club designation in Canada, the National Youth Club Licence recognizes the highest achieving organizations from across Canada. The Program is also a key component to Canada Soccer’s Safe Sport Roster that was announced with unanimous support by its membership in May 2019.
“We are pleased to announce the exemplary 39 National Youth Club Licence holders that have worked diligently over the past 12 months to demonstrate a willingness to improve, to collaborate, and most importantly to raise the level of youth football in our country,” said Jason DeVos, Canada Soccer’s Director of Development. “Each club worked with Canada Soccer and their respective Provincial and Territorial Member Association to define a roadmap of standards designed to improve the experience for all who participate in the game.”
National Youth Club Licence holders display characteristics and demonstrate behaviours aligned with the highest expectations of governance, administration, infrastructure, and technical; support their Provincial and Territorial Member Association and Canada Soccer Pathways.
Canada Soccer’s Club Licensing Program was launched in 2017 with the Canada Soccer Professional Club Licence. Canada Soccer announced the expansion of the program to youth soccer in 2018 in collaboration with Provincial and Territorial Association Members and incorporating international best practices.
CANADA SOCCER CLUB LICENSING PROGRAM
NATIONAL YOUTH CLUB LICENCE
The Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence recognizes the highest achieving organizations from across Canada and rewards them with the Canada Soccer Approved Youth Soccer Club endorsement and associated MLS Home Grown Player benefits. Organizations achieving this licence display characteristics and demonstrate behaviours aligned with the highest expectations of governance, administration, infrastructure, and technical, support their Member Association and Canada Soccer Pathways and participate in the highest level of competition in Canada; the Canada Soccer Player Development Program.
Characteristics and Behaviours
- Demonstrates the Characteristics and Behaviours from the Provincial/Territorial Youth Club Licence Level 1 and Level 2
Governance
- Has optimal governance structures, processes and policies or is committed to their development.
- Demonstrates a commitment to continual improvements to its existing governance structures/processes;
Administration
- Has advanced management and operational practices.
- Has advanced operational planning documents that align to the Strategic and Technical Plans.
- Has enhanced community engagement plans, capabilities, and practices. (RECOMMENDATION)
- Has advanced financial practices, development plans, and resources.
Infrastructure
- Has access to a physical space as a headquarters for operations.
- Has access to advanced facilities to allow for the delivery of optimal developmental programming.
- Has a facility strategy aligned to Strategic, Operational, and Technical Plans.
Technical
- Has a Technical Plan that aligns to the Long-Term Player Development Model.
- Has a Game Model that is aligned to the playing philosophy.
- Has Player Management Pathway and associated support mechanisms.
- Supports a holistic approach to player development that takes in to account Physical, Mental, Technical/Tactical, and Social/Emotional development.
- Operates optimal, standards-based, programming.
- Participates in the highest level of competition available.
- Has a Technical Lead with advanced certification (refer to Category Requirements for specifics).
- Has access to Learning Facilitator(s) to deliver Coach Licensing Workshops as guided by Canada Soccer and/or governing organization(s).
- Has a Sport Science and Medicine Plan aligned to the Technical Plan.
- Provides access to appropriate sport science and medicine expertise and support.
- Has access to appropriate technology to support player and coach development.
U13 BCSPL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Okanagan United FC U13 BCSPL Intake Development Program is a professionally administered and coached program for top-level players. The program will be directly included in the highly successful OUFC BCSPL Program (formerly TOFC) and all aspects of the U13 BCSPL player experience (including training curriculum, strength and conditioning training, goal setting, etc.) will be included in the BCSPL Player Development Plan on which the program is built.
OUFC’s U13 BCSPL Intake Development Program is a preparatory development program for the top-tier level of play. The teams will be coached by professional, certified coaches and the curriculum will follow the BCSPL program standards.
Games will be scheduled against other BCSPL Clubs’ BCSPL intake development teams based on cooperation and partnership with the other BCSPL Clubs. Games will also take place against regional TOYSL Select teams 1-2 years older. Teams will participate in selected tournaments that offer top-level competition. Teams will not participate in the local area league. The program runs approximately 10 ½ months of the year in alignment with the BCSPL team program.
