The soccer landscape is continuing to undergo change in Ontario and only time will tell whether the changes are good enough to convince every one to pull in the same direction.

That direction is clear. It points to a system of development and training that gives upper-echelon players a chance to develop their skills to play at the top levels.

Please read that carefully. It says nothing about one size fits all. It’s truly about organizations and players who are desirous of putting time and money into striving to be the best in the sport.

For those who simply want to play for enjoyment, there are still plenty of places to play.

It’s all about long-term player development initiated by the Ontario Soccer Association. Everyone would be bored silly reading all the rules and regulations that now determine how the game will be played but the bottom line is simple: place playing the game first and results second at the early ages, then help those players who are exceptional to find support, good coaching, quality competition and quality teammates as they get older to move up the ladder.

Since this is soccer it couldn’t be done by having everyone agree this was the best direction. It had to be done by administrative rule.

In London, one of the latest clubs to adhere to the OSA development plan is Forest City London, now to be known as FC London. For seven years the team played in the United States-based Premier Development League, winning one championship. From a fan perspective, FC London has provided an evening out to enjoy high quality soccer.

But this year, it will operate men’s and women’s under-23 teams in the semi-pro OSA-driven League 1 Ontario, one of 16 teams in the men’s division and one of 10 teams in a women’s division.

It is all part of the OSA’s mandated development program wanting Canadian teams to play in Canada and develop Canadian players. As of 2017 FC London would not have been able to play in a league outside of Ontario. FC London opted to change a year early.

The move is a step down in terms of the quality of soccer. The PDL often provided a terrific calibre of soccer although there were times when money, travel and the shortness of the schedule turned some games into one-sided embarrassments.

The gains far outweigh the losses in a move to League 1 especially on the women’s side.

“From the sports entertainment side of it, our fans come to be entertained,” said Ian Campbell, owner of FC London. “They come out to get their faces painted, to see their son as a ball boy, come out to socialize and have a beer at the German Club. The game is a component of that. The soccer on the field is only a part of why they come out.”

The reality is that most FC London soccer fans don’t come to see them play Louisville or Pittsburgh. Fans come out to see the local side play.

As an under-23 league, League 1 has low and strict guidelines about the number of players that can be used from outside the province and older than 23.

“London Marconi (senior men’s team) has done well but if you look at Marconi, most of the guys are 23-to-30,” Campbell said. “This is an under-23 team. Like in the past it will be filled with 19, 20, 21, 22-year-olds. It doesn’t affect what Marconi’s doing. It might actually become a feeder system for someone like Marconi.”

There’s also a carrot being dangled to League 1 teams.

“Victor Montagliani, (Canada Soccer president) told us there may be an opportunity for League 1 teams to participate in the Amway Cup,” Campbell said. “We could be playing against Toronto FC, Montreal Impact or Vancouver Whitecaps.”

The Amway Cup is the Canadian club championship. Right now Canadian teams from the NASL and MLS participate.

The move to League 1 means Campbell can cut “between 25 and 30 per cent” from his budget with less travel. There also will play more games than just the 14 in the PDL schedule. With a restricted roster it will ensure more local players get a chance to compete at a higher level.

Sounds like a win, win.

The real carrot in all this though comes with the addition of an FC London under-23 women’s team.

London is known for the high calibre of its women’s soccer programs. They’ve had senior teams in the past that have won Ontario Cups and in 2012 North London won a Canadian championship.

This club will give young women the chance to compete in a 10-team league on a regular basis with some of the best women players in Ontario. Unlike some women’s leagues in the past, this is not an after thought.

“I monitor the tryouts link on the website and the majority of tryouts are on the women’s side,” Campbell said. “We’re getting requests from national team players who want to play and it’s really a bunch of really exciting stuff. That will add a really interesting dimension to women’s soccer in London. We plan on putting a full court press on the women’s side.”

In the end, that’s the ultimate goal in all this . . . a system that gives the players with the most potential and desire, a chance to get to the top.