Monday, November 18, 2002 (Courtesy Toronto Lynx)
TORONTO, ON -- On Friday, November 1, the Ontario Soccer Association Board of Directors approved the applications from the Toronto Lynx, Toronto Inferno and Ottawa Fury to play in the Super Y-League.
According to Toronto Lynx COO Nicole Hartrell, “We are very pleased with the process that we have been following for the last year to gain approval. The success of the 2002 exhibition season during which we fielded our U14 Toronto Lynx Juniors validated that we are on the right track. We have full faith in the increasing quality of play in the Super Y-League, which will allow our elite young players greater competition in a larger geographical setting. Gary Miller (Bryst International), the director of the Toronto Lynx Elite Development Program and the Super Y League has exceptional credentials and experience and is the perfect person for the job. We are confident that 2003 will be a positive experience for our Toronto Lynx Juniors.”
An evaluation process will be developed by the OSA Executive Committee to evaluate the 2003 season as to whether a league is judged to be a higher league than any available in Ontario. The OSA technical Committee, the CSA Technical Committee and the OSA League Management Committee will all have input in developing the process.
“The inclusion of Canadian teams into the Super Y-League enhances the player development scheme for both countries,” said Matt Weibe, Director of Super Y-League Operations. “International competition only enhances the experience of players and better prepares them for international competition. Both countries should see advancement of the game from their elite level players where there are regions with cross-border play.”
This decision came after a series of meetings during the fall where Gary Miller presented the 2002 exhibition season highlights to the Central League Management Committee and the OSA Board of Directors with a view to getting approval for fielding Toronto Lynx Junior teams in 2003. “Wearing the Toronto Lynx jersey, training with the senior team and playing at Centennial Park Stadium before the regular season home games of the Toronto Lynx is a real turn on for these exceptional young players. We anticipate greater interest from youth clubs, coaches and parents in coming out to these double headers as these youngsters represent the collective dream of young soccer players,” said Hartrell.
The Super Y-League provides a youth development system which is aligned directly with professional clubs as is the case throughout the world. Many current teams in the SYL are associated with professional clubs such as: MLS teams (DC United) and the A-League clubs (Rochester, Richmond, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Vancouver, Cincinnati and Minnesota). This will allow some of the best youth players to have the best opportunities and to register in a professional system with a link to the professional game. These players will train in a professional environment with high quality coaching staff on a regular basis in addition to being mentored by the Toronto Lynx professional players and coaching staff. The SYL recently received Olympic Development Program status in the United States, which underscores the high level of play of which the Lynx Juniors will be a part. The Toronto Lynx are committed to working closely with the Canadian National and Provincial Programs for consistent coaching philosophies and approaches and to co-ordinate the scheduling of matches.
“We have been receiving a lot of interest already from around the province for trials for the Junior teams. We hope to announce more information on plans for the 2003 season soon,” said Gary Miller. Peter Pinizzotto, the Lynx general manager/head coach and Brian Ashton, Toronto Lynx veteran mid-fielder are part of Gary’s coaching team at Bryst during the fall and winter academy sessions.
