The Sudbury Canadians have officially withdrawn from the United Soccer League (USL) W League.
The club has opted to take some time off and examine a number
of issues related to Northern Ontario's participation in the
highest female soccer league on the continent.
The Canadians had begun to work with other southern Ontario
soccer academies to bolster their northern lineup, but a number
of logistical issues regarding games and practices were the
primary issues.
Club head coach Frank Malvaso noted the key question that needs
to be addressed is the ability for Northern Ontario to
reasonably compete in this international league. 
"The vast majority of players in the W League are NCAA players
and national team players that have moved up through the ranks
through elite youth leagues like the Ontario Youth Soccer
League," said the coach in a press release. "While we have some
very good local players that have come through this route, the
reality is that we do not have enough at this level, and the
key question is what we can do to develop this level of
player."
The club has also acknowledged that in order to be reasonably
competitive in the W a significantly broader recruitment
strategies would also need to be employed.
"We know that most W League teams in Ontario draw from a large
area and that challenge we face is how to get players to come
to Sudbury," said Malvaso.
On this issue the Canadians will be talking to other sports
franchises in the North to see how this might be
accomplished.
"I think we have easily come to the conclusion that the north
will have to step up their youth development efforts if they
are to compete with southern clubs at any of the higher levels
and this is the area that we will focus on."
While neither the USL nor the Canadians have made any firm
futures commitments, the two parties have agreed to look at the
various ways that may assist the Sudbury group to work their
way back to the USL.
"We see some opportunities in the future with the USL but the
onus will be on us to come up with a solid plan especially for
our youth players."
