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Canada Soccer's Club Licensing Program was designed to guide organizations toward the best principles for organizational development both on and off the field. The goal is to have a framework to increase the quality of soccer programs nationwide and make the sport more safe, diverse, inclusive, and accessible. The licensing process is done through the Club Licensing Software (CLS) which can be found by clicking here.
BC Soccer will play an important role in supporting and working alongside clubs to achieve these goals. This collaboration will allow us to learn more about our clubs’ environment, their challenges, and potential areas of improvement. With that knowledge, we can take more effective actions to support soccer in British Columbia.
Starting in 2024, clubs will need to be licensed to be affiliated and sanctioned by BC Soccer.
Outside the Applications and Assessment Cycles, BC Soccer will continue to provide year-round support and guidance to any organization working to meet the license requirements. For more information
This segment provides resources that are designed to assist Clubs in gaining a deeper understanding of the 'Club Licensing Program'. These templates have been crafted to offer guidance for the application process. These resources have been developed specifically for BC Soccer Clubs and follow the underlying philosophy of the 'Club Licensing Program', which is setting “High Standards” to achieve “Best Principles".
This is the minimum expectation of member organizations in Canada. It is expected that all member organizations provide a developmentally appropriate, safe, enjoyable, accessible, inclusive, and welcoming playing environment for their participants. Please click here for more information.
The MA1 license builds on the characteristics and behaviours of Quality Soccer Providers with a higher expectation across the governance, administration, infrastructure, and technical pillars. MA1 is designed to recognize high-quality grassroots, community, and competitive organizations that have developed their governance and operations. Please click here for more information
Targets organizations with aspirations of moving into the Development/Performance Stream. MA2 license holders are making an enhanced commitment across each of the pillars, which requires significant resources to achieve. Please click here for more information.
Organizations achieving this licence display characteristics and demonstrate behaviours aligned with the highest expectations of governance, administration, infrastructure, and technical, support their Member Association and Canada Soccer Pathways and participate in the highest level of competition in Canada. Please click here for more information.
The Development Grants Program is available for licensed clubs only and aims to expand the capacity for organizations to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for participants in line with Canada Soccer’s Guide to Accessibility & Inclusion and to assist in removing potential barriers for clubs to meet, or exceed, the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Standards. For more information on the Grants Program, please click here.
BC Soccer and its generous donors have been proud to support graduating students within BC Soccer’s membership eager to continue their studies in post-secondary institutions. BC Soccer Scholarships are awarded to successful applicants who, for three or more years, have played in a club licensed by BC Soccer and/or participated in some other capacity in soccer (referee, coach, or administrator). For more information on BC Soccer Scholarships, please click here.
BC Soccer provides insurance coverage to licensed Youth Clubs that are full member associations their teams and the registered players/participants within them via our SBC Insurance (broker) and Gameday (underwriter). For more information about the Insurance Coverage Program, please click here.
The Coach Certification Standards have two main components it: creating a safer and welcoming environment for children and improving the knowledge of coaches to ultimately increase the quality of programming our kids have access to across BC. While these certifications may take more initiative from coaches and clubs, they will equip those running sessions with the necessary information to confidently teach soccer.
As per BC Soccer’s Coach Requirement Policy, as of January 1st, 2024:
All Youth Team Assistant Coaches must have:
All Youth Team Head Coaches must have:
The age groups for the Canada Soccer online theory (Part 1) and on-field practical workshop (Part 2) components shall be defined as follows:
You may provide your coach with the Coach Certification Checklist to make it easier for coaches to keep track of their requirements. Click here to download the Minimal Coach Certification Checklist.
Every coach in BC is asked to take the "Respect in Sport For Activity Leaders" course, and we count on our community clubs to help drive this requirement. This program educates youth leaders, coaches, officials and participants (14-years and up) to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.
How can Club Administrators manage their Respect in Sport codes?
This video is for club administrators and leaders. It outlines how to best implement the program and obtain administrative access to monitor certificate completion by coaches.
What if a coach has already taken the Respect in Sport course for another sport?
Anyone with a valid Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders certificate can add their certificate to the club's Respect in Sport database so that it is recognized as already completed.
Coaches with a valid certificate can use this link for BC Soccer's Respect in Sport program and use the "Already Certified" button to post their certificate to their club's database.
The license application process is done through the Club Licensing Software (CLS). This is an online portal where all the necessary information will be uploaded/answered by the clubs and then reviewed by BC Soccer/Canada Soccer.
To access CLS, clubs need to assign at least one individual who will have a login created by BC Soccer. If required, more logins can be created under the same club so different individuals within the organization can have access to the license application.
Organization Logo
Streams of Participation
Stages of Participation
Club Email Addresses
Coach and Team Personnel
Facilities List
Clubs are required to provide links to the pages where these policies are posted on their website. For these policies to have any legal merit, Clubs need to create customized policies – with their organization's letterhead and details – Do not simply post ones used by either BC Soccer or Canada Soccer.
Code of Conduct to Protect Children
Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Children in Sport
This Anti-Bullying policy template can be used to answer question 6.
Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) Pledge
Accessibility and Inclusion Policy
On questions 1 and 2 of this tab, clubs must provide proof that their programming considers the Long-Term Player Development standards and follows the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards. Simply provide a link to your website where technical information about your program is available, or submit similar documentation (e.g. Coaches’ Handbook)
Standard questions to ensure that the Affiliated Club is in good standing and adheres to the regulations of its governing bodies.
MA Specific questions are specific to BC Soccer Clubs – and do not apply to all MA1 and MA2 license levels. All applicants must answer the questions in this tab. To note:
BC Soccer Technical Resources
To answer question one (1), simply make the following documents available on your website:
Coach Code of Conduct forms aligned with BC Soccer
Organizations Legal Entity
Constitution & Bylaws and Rules & Regulations
Bi-Annual Coach Certification Report
