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The global soccer academy will field both a Men’s League2 team and Women’s Championship team next season.

Rush Canada Soccer Academy will take to the field in the new-look League1 Ontario senior soccer pyramid in 2024, having been successfully awarded licenses to participate in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

The Rush Soccer name is already well-known in Canada and around the world, operating more than 110 clubs across six continents, including multiple professional European teams.

On Canadian soil, Rush Soccer have been growing their academy for the past nine years, from 30 players to more than 250. They’ve already fielded several Reserve Division teams in L1ON, making the Women’s U19 postseason this year and winning the Men’s U19 crown after finishing second in the West conference and seeing off Sigma and North Mississauga in the playoffs. The new Rush Canada teams will feature players from their current academy cohort, as well as Rush Soccer’s worldwide Select Program.

After it was initially announced in September 2023 that Rush Canada’s men’s and women’s teams would join League2, St Catharines Roma Wolves’ decision to opt out of Women’s Premier Division soccer and play in League2 saw Rush elevated to Championship level.

Bogdan Brasoveanu, Director and partner owner of Rush Canada, said: “Having this announcement coincide with our 10th anniversary in Canada couldn’t have come at a better time. We are grateful for this opportunity and appreciate the support we have received from Ontario Soccer, League1 Ontario, our players, parents, and coaches.”

Slobodan Pavlovic, Technical Director and partner owner of Rush Canada, said: “Achieving the license is a step closer to our ultimate goal to crown our academy with a semi-professional, and one day professional, team for both our male and female programs.

“Rush Canada Soccer Academy is a member of Rush Soccer, the largest soccer organization globally. They offer elite programs for youth players [Rush Altitude and Rush Select] and provide professional career opportunities in Europe for top talents developed within Rush youth programs.”

Raoul Voss Rush, International Director of Rush Soccer, said: “This shows once again the great work that is being done by Rush Canada for providing the ideal platform for young Canadian talent to showcase their abilities and take the next step towards professional soccer.”

Matthew Braithwaite, Managing Director of League1 Ontario, said: “Rush Canada Soccer Academy has been growing in Ontario for the best part of a decade and we’re excited to be able to support them in their next step of development.

“This will provide Rush Canada players with another level in their pathway – an opportunity for those stand-out performers to not just play against competitive teams, but also gain experience that could move them even further on in Rush’s global network and in the professional game elsewhere.”