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“There were some gaps in our age groups last year,” said Ian Campbell, founder and chief executive of FC London. “But we just continue to grow. We went from an executive board of four or five to one that’s now a page and a half long.”

With growth comes change and FC London continues to evolve.

FC London changed their brand during the winter, switching to Toronto FC colours which are dark red. They also changed their logo and kits with the name of their sponsor, Libro, across the front.

“(Toronto FC) executives said we had more of the Seattle Sounders’ colours before,” laughed Campbell.

While it’s the men’s and women’s senior teams that get most of the attention for FC London, the expansion of academy teams is vital not only for development of the club but for giving more players the opportunity to develop be seen.

Kaila Novak played with FC London U21 team and senior team last year and recently scored a pair of goals for Canada’s national U17 girls’ team at the shortened CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament.

Campbell said two other members of FC London’s organization are in provincial team programs; Dante Carrero is with the U14 Ontario boys’ team while Emaly Martin is with the U16 girls’ team. Both players are goalkeepers.

The League1 season is here for both the senior men and women FC London teams. The men open Sunday on the road against the Toronto FC academy team. Their home opener isn’t until May 18.

The women open their season May 5 in London against Toronto Azzurri.