JANUARY 31, 2019 - OSHAWA, ON
- It is with great excitement that The Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club (OKSC) and FC Durham Academy (FCD) announce their acceptance into the 2019
League1 Ontario
Women's Division under the franchise name
FC OSHAWA
!
League 1 Ontario is the only Pro-Am, standards based, senior league in Ontario. Founded in 2014, the league began with a ten team men's division, which has by 2018 grown to 17 teams and includes a separate women's division. League1 Ontario serves as a stepping stone between the youth, amateur ranks, and the professional game.
In January, an application round opened for Ontario soccer organization's interested in seeking a license for the 2019 Women's Division.
"It was an opportunity we could not pass up! Obtaining a license in this league solidifies both organization's strategic direction to be represented among the top standard based leagues in Ontario",
notes FC Durham Academy co-owner Rich Hirst.
FC OSHAWA's
team ownership will be shared-equity between the two strong Oshawa soccer providers. Will Thurber OKSC President commented further
"This partnership is unique, as it brings together a community club and academy to feed Oshawa's top senior women's talented pathway. Both our programs have a long-standing history of providing scholarship opportunities to players making the transition to post-secondary play. This partnership ensures a deep, talented, home-grown player pool providing females the ability to stay local through the summers returning from post-secondary play".
The team will be led by four leaders in the women's game. Each have contributed to the success of countless female players achieving their soccer aspirations. OKSC's Director of Soccer Development Ron Clarke serves as
FC OSHAWA
Head Coach, assisted by FC Durham's Girl's Academy Director/Co-Founder Rich Hirst, OKSC's Kwame Waife-Annoh and joint Goalkeeper Coach Eugene Alves. Fitness coach Matthew Calderoni (
MindBodyFusion
),
Seadon Pereira Game Day Athletic Trainer
and Kevin Choi (
Ajax Family Physiotherapy
) Athletic Therapist complete the team's training staff.
