Bayhawks & Eagles Soar Together
Burlington Soccer Club and Erin Mills Soccer Club become affiliate programs
There is an old English proverb that states “birds of a feather flock together” and that proverb rings true as Burlington Soccer Club (BSC) and Erin Mills Soccer Club (EMSC) join forces.
These two historic clubs will become Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) Affiliate Clubs for the 2025 season and beyond as both look to provide value and opportunity for the next generation of soccer player.
The Director of Soccer at BSC, Shane Lammie, agrees that this only serves to advance player development and enhance opportunities for all players. “As Director of Soccer at Burlington Soccer Club, I am excited about our OPDL player movement agreement with Erin Mills Soccer Club. This collaboration not only provides additional opportunities for players at Erin Mills to showcase and develop their talents at the OPDL level but also strengthens the overall player pool at Burlington Soccer Club. Together, we are fostering a more dynamic and competitive environment that will benefit all players involved."
The sentiment was echoed by the Steven Carroll, Technical Director at EMSC and former BSC staff member. “As a club, we are excited by the OPDL affiliation agreement. It complements our current player pathway, enabling players to have further opportunities and exposure.’’
This collaboration will continue to bring long-term value to both clubs. It brings a more complete player pathway for the EMSC Eagles and strengthens the player pool at BSC. In addition, this fosters an opportunity for greater knowledge share along with the opportunity to develop people through sport – a key objective of both soccer organizations. From Eagle to Bayhawk, the ultimate goal is to provide the environment where players can continue to soar.
WHAT IS OPDL?
The Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) is the province’s standard-based, high-performance league. Formed in 2013, it serves as to combine top level competition with strict high-performance traning standards. For our U13 – U17 members, this league is an integral component to the Long Term Player Development (LTPD) pathway. It constitutes their first experience in a true, high-performance environment with the goal to foster growth across all four (4) key corners of player development. The Burlington Soccer Club has proudly been a member since inception and continues to offer nine (9) teams within this high-performance program.
ABOUT BURLINGTON SOCCER CLUB
The Burlington Soccer Club is a non-profit soccer provider located in the City of Burlington. Since 1962 the BSC has continued to serve Burlington and surrounding area with programs for 18 months to adults, embracing all abilities and all skill levels through their recreational, supplementary and competitive programs.
ABOUT ERIN MILLS SOCCER CLUB
The Erin Mills Soccer Club is a non-profit soccer provider located in Mississauga. Situated in the Erin Mills Community of Mississauga, Erin Mills Soccer Club has proudly offered soccer programs since 1972. With a storied history of multiple National and Provincial Championships, Erin Mills SC continues to serve all through its programs.