Ontario Soccer Launches 2025–2036 Technical Development Plan — NFSC’s Paul O’Rourke Contributes to Vision for the Future
Ontario Soccer has officially unveiled its Technical Development Plan 2025–2036, a bold and forward-thinking roadmap set to shape the next 12 years of soccer development across the province. This plan focuses on raising the standard of play, supporting key leaders in the sport, and ensuring inclusive, high-quality experiences for players, coaches, referees, and clubs across Ontario.
We’re proud to share that Niagara Falls Soccer Club’s very own Executive Director and Technical Lead, Paul O’Rourke, was directly involved in the development of this plan. As a member of the OPDL Technical Group, Paul participated in a wide-reaching consultation process—helping shape the long-term strategy that will guide Ontario’s soccer future.
“This plan represents a transformative moment for soccer in Ontario. It’s about building a system that nurtures talent, supports our leaders, and unites our communities through the beautiful game.”
— Johnny Misley, CEO, Ontario Soccer
A Deeply Collaborative Effort
Ontario Soccer undertook one of its most extensive stakeholder consultations in history to bring this plan to life. More than 1,000 stakeholders participated in a province-wide survey, with over 100 individuals contributing their insights through interviews, roundtables, and working groups.
This group included technical leaders, grassroots contributors, academic experts, Canada Soccer representatives, and Ontario Soccer staff and board members. NFSC’s Paul O’Rourke helped represent the voice of the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) within this process, ensuring the plan supports the growth and sustainability of elite development programs like Niagara FC’s OPDL teams.
“This plan, focusing on five core pillars, aims to leave a legacy of collaboration and unified efforts across the soccer community.”
— Matt Ferreira, Director of Development, Ontario Soccer
A Plan Rooted in Action and Long-Term Vision
Spanning three phases of four years each, the Technical Development Plan is designed to be flexible, measurable, and community-focused. It introduces five key technical pillars that will shape soccer development in Ontario:
The Player
- Launch LTPD 2.0 for better long-term environments
- Broaden year-round access to all forms of the game
- Strengthen pathways to elite performance levels
The Coach
- Launch the Ontario Soccer Institute of Learning (OSIL)
- Provide robust education catalogues and mentoring
⚖️ The Match Official
- Modernize education and performance support
- Encourage collaboration with coaches and players
️ The Club
- Develop transformational community hubs
- Support leadership growth and club programming
The Competition
- Introduce high-quality, flexible competition formats
- Offer better tools and clear standards for organizers
OPDL and Beyond: How This Impacts the niagara falls soccer club
As a National Youth Licensed Club and proud holder of the OPDL License, Niagara Falls Soccer Club is committed to aligning with Ontario Soccer’s technical direction. This plan reinforces the value of the OPDL as a critical component of Ontario’s Talented Player Pathway, giving athletes like those on our Niagara FC OPDL teams access to elite training and competition environments.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon—set to arrive in Toronto—this strategy arrives at a key moment for soccer in our country. We’re excited about the opportunities this brings to clubs like ours and to the next generation of players growing up right here in Niagara.
To explore Ontario Soccer’s full Technical Development Plan 2025–2036, visit their official Technical Development Plan page or connect with their Development team for more information.
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