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Since changing the name from “CSL Reserve League” to “CSL Second Division” the Canadian Soccer League have made a few changes in order to raise competitive levels and help with youth development. One of these changes have been to add three new clubs, these clubs are KW United FC from Kitchener-Waterloo, Prospect FC from Kingston and the focus of this article Niagara United from Niagara Falls.
Although Niagara United Soccer Club is a new club in the CSL they were established in 1973 as Niagara Girls Soccer Club, and since then they have grown to serve both male and female players from U-4 to senior level. The club has looked to establish relationships and extend their network in a variety of ways, starting the first annual Niagara Cup Classic Soccer Tournament this past June, which included boys and girls ages U9 to U18 from all over Ontario and USA as well as playing a friendly match against Bedlington Terriers F.C from Bedlington, England.
From a Canadian soccer perspective the area of Niagara, Ontario seems to be relatively untapped and provided it is in a club's interest, it could be the starting point of a possible pipeline for both the Canadian Men’s and Women’s National teams.
One aspect that sets this club apart from the others in the CSL (except Windsor Stars) is their close proximity to the US border. Even though the goal is to develop Canadian talent, with factors like lack of money and squad depth being major issues in the CSL, clubs like Niagara United need to use every advantage available.
Scouting trips to Western New York would cost the club little to no money and would serve multiple purposes. The main purpose would be to look for players to recruit into their academy, whether it is male to bring through to their CSL club or female players to bring through their academy, it would raise the profile of the club and become a viable option for players in that region.
These networks wouldn’t only service male players but could also give female players an option as well. For example, the club could create a relationship with Western New York Flash of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). Based in Rochester, New York, the women’s side is no more then an hour away and considering the club is only a few years old they could probably use all the networking opportunities available. With the WPS falling on hard times relationships like these could help save the league in the long run, growing the fan base and ultimately getting more eyes on the league via TV deals and online coverage.
These are just some of the ideas that I could see working; whether the club is actually thinking of doing something similar down the line only time will tell. However if this club is ambitious enough they could hold a key position in not both male and female soccer not only in Canada but the United States as well.
Kamal Hylton is Owner/Freelance Soccer Writer at Hylton Sports Media,
he specializes in covering Youth Development in Canada and the
CONCACAF Region as well as European leagues such as Bundesliga, Serie A and UEFA Champions League. Follow him on Twitter to view all his work.
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