The Thunder Bay Chill are happy to announce their recent affiliation with the Richmond Hill Soccer Club (RHSC). The affiliation will share a commitment to Long-Term Player Development (LTPD), coaching development, referee development, and will provide opportunities to players in both clubs.

The affiliation was also ratified by Ontario Soccer, as it meets the rationale promoted by the organization. It provides a talent pathway for players graduating from the affiliated LTPD program, and will educate parents and players about Ontario Soccer’s talented pathway.  

“This is a great opportunity for our Club to give additional incentives to players who select this path during their playing careers,” commented Chill PDL Director Saverio Lento. Players will be identified starting at U12 from the Chill Club and collaboration with the Richmond Hill Soccer Club’s Technical Director will then commence. Once coaches, players, and parents are satisfied with the details, the Chill player can be sub-rostered to the Richmond Hill Soccer Club. A Chill player who is sub-rostered to RHSC will then have the opportunity to train and play in OPDL games with Richmond Hill Soccer Club but will keep the Chill as their home club for regular competition. 

Launched in 2014 with the 2001 age group, the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) is the province's first standards-based, youth performance development league that combines top level competition with high performance training standards. This innovative and exciting youth high performance program is an important component of the overall movement to adopt the core principles of LTPD in Ontario and Canada. 

“I think this is a great opportunity for our clubs to share resources while at the same time ensuring players continue to have opportunity in Ontario,” commented Tony Colistro, who is the Chill Director of Soccer Programs. The affiliation will also allow for coaching opportunity when it comes to developing training sessions as well as expanding education and building capacity for all our youth coaching staff. “Opportunities to collaborate with other Clubs and to offer more soccer pathways are important to the growth and success of RHSC; we are so excited to be affiliated with the Chill and we look forward to growing our relationship!” replied Melody Carroll, General Manager of the Richmond Hill Soccer Club.

About Richmond Hill Soccer Club: Founded in 1968, Richmond Hill Soccer Club (RHSC) is the largest soccer club in York Region, offering year-round competitive and recreational programs for both youth and adults. We are an OPDL, Ontario Soccer Gold Standard club who enjoys working relationships with the York Region Soccer Association, Ontario Soccer, and the Canadian Soccer Association. We provide a number of development programs for players, coaches and referees, and have nearly 7,000 players registered annually with our Club. Our professional staff with qualifications and experience of international scope enable us to take pride in being a leader in community soccer development.

About the Thunder Bay Chill: The Chill is a Canadian soccer club based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the Premier Development League(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference. It also registers between 1500 – 2000 recreational players annually with over 300 players playing competitively between the ages of 8 – 18. The club plays its home games at Chapples Park. The team's colours are white and blue.

The Thunder Bay Chill Premier Development League (PDL) team plays in the 72-team prospect focused PDL which is the top developmental men’s league in North America.