Happy to be returning for a third season to call League1 Ontario games on the league’s YouTube channel. My first two assignments this year are derby matches beginning this Saturday with a women’s Premier division game between Vaughan and Woodbridge from North Maple. The following weekend I’ll be at iconic Birchmount Stadium for the battle of Scarborough between men’s Championship division rivals Borough FC and Master’s FA.
It will be interesting to follow all eight divisions under the L1O umbrella as the league has gradually expanded over the past decade to include four men’s categories and four women’s as well. Promotion and relegation has been instituted and an in-season cup competition returns. There are new franchises with Cambridge United and Railway City, representing the town of St Thomas, entering teams in both men’s and women’s divisions, while York United’s Academy will feature in the men’s Championship category. There are also newly re-branded clubs in Oakville and Whitby.
L1O and its three provincial allies in BC, Alberta and Quebec, form League1 Canada, and are expected to supply most of the domestic talent that will progress to the Canadian Premier League and the new Northern Super League. A considerable number of L1O men find their way onto CPL rosters each year and as many as 30 L1O women have made the leap to the NSL this year.
The exciting thing for play by play commentators like myself will be the chance to discover L1O talent that demonstrates the ability to excel and earn a move to the next level.
If you have an opportunity to do so this year, come out to your local ground and support the L1O club in your community. You could be watching the future stars and superstars of Canadian soccer.
ADB Creative Consulting 