March 10, 2011 CSL--Capital City FC joins the Canadian Soccer League (from CSL news release)
Capital City FC joins the Canadian Soccer League
OTTAWA – Thursday, March 10 – Neil Malhotra and the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) jointly announced today the creation of a new professional soccer club - Capital City Football Club of Ottawa to begin play in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) commencing May 2011.
The city of Ottawa will now have a professional soccer team to call its own and the mission of Capital City FC is to bring a high calibre of professional soccer along with a traditional soccer experience that appeals to the diverse population of Ottawa. Capital City FC hopes to build upon soccer's strong roots in the nation's capital and is committed to putting an exciting team on the field.
"Today’s announcement marks the return of professional soccer to Ottawa and adds another critical layer to the local soccer pyramid, providing professional opportunities for the growing local player pool to continue their development," said President and Founder Neil Malhotra.
In addition to today’s announcement, Capital City FC is proud to welcome Ottawa South United (OSU) as its Youth Club partner. Capital City FC and Ottawa South United will work together to create a clear path for local players to the professional ranks, including working together in all aspects from coaching to player development, including joint collaboration on a reserve program and working towards the creation of a true "European-style" academy for Eastern Ontario. According to Malhotra, "Ottawa South United is one of the top youth clubs in the country and they will be a great partner in achieving our goals of growing the game locally as well as contributing to the national program."
"Ottawa South United is looking forward to actively working with and supporting the introduction of professional soccer in Ottawa through the ownership of Neil Mahotra and the Canadian Soccer League (CSL). This is a significant step for the on-going development of soccer in Ottawa. Eastern Ontario is a well known "hotbed" of soccer in Canada but is not serviced by a professional club or league at the adult level. Obviously the participation of MLS's Toronto FC and Montreal Impact's academy teams in the CSL demonstrates how far the CSL has progressed in being the league of choice for developing professional soccer players. OSU believes that Neil Malhotra's and Claridge Homes’ business experience and involvement in the Ottawa community will bring about the professional structure and approach to Capital City FC that also defines and complements OSU's strengths in soccer and know-how in the youth level, so the partnership is natural", said OSU president, Bill Michalopulos. Michalopulos added that the partnership will also "facilitate the opportunity of OSU's graduating youth talent to pursue professional soccer opportunities locally".
"The Ottawa-Valley is a vital part of the overall soccer community, and the CSL is pleased to fill a void at the higher level in Eastern Canada. We are fortunate to have found partners such as Neil Malhotra and Ottawa South United to carry the CSL’s vision for attractive professional soccer and player development in Canada in their region," stated CSL League Administrator Pino Jazbec.
Capital City FC will begin play in May 2011.
Please visit capitalcityfc.com for more information and further announcements will follow regarding venues, tryouts and ticket information.
About Capital City FC of Ottawa
Capital City FC of Ottawa is a non-profit organization established to play in Canadian Soccer League starting in 2011. Capital City FC was established
with the goal of contributing to the local soccer scene and will invest back into the local soccer community and local youth programs.
About Neil Malhotra
Neil is an experienced entrepreneur with strong local roots and a passionate sports fan. For the past 10 years, Neil has been an executive in his family
business, Claridge Homes, and has helped grown the company to Ottawa's largest condominium developer and 2nd largest homebuilder. He also oversees
Claridge's Senior Housing arm, Riverstone Retirement Communities. Neil is a board member of the National Capital Region YM-YWCA Board of Directors and
also active with the Greater Ottawa Homebuilder Association and the Ottawa Art Gallery.
About Ottawa South United
Ottawa South United (OSU) is a soccer club based in Canada's capital, Ottawa. With some 6300 members it is the largest as well as one the most successful
soccer clubs in Ottawa, the province of Ontario and Canada. OSU was created in January 2003 through the merger of the historic clubs of South Nepean United
(SNU) and Osgoode Rideau Soccer Association (ORSA).
Although OSU draws players from the whole Ottawa region for its high performance programs, the core community areas it represents includes: Barrhaven, Stonebridge, Nepean, Riverside South, Greely, Kars, Manotick, Osgoode, North Gower, Chapman Mills, Davidson Heights, Longfields, Half Moon Bay and Findlay Creek. In it's short history and through the founding clubs, OSU has achieved many District, Regional, Provincial as well as National and North American distinction in soccer.
In 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 OSU obtained the coveted *Terra rankings as the #1 Developmental Community Soccer Club in the Province of Ontario.
Other great achievements include: the placement of over 50 players into top Universities in Canada and the US; our exclusive strategic relationships with England's Everton FC and the Dallas Texans; US perennial #1 Ranked youth Club.
2011 Canadian Soccer League
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