Formation 1981 | Type Sports association | |
Headquarters Windsor, Ontario, Canada | ||
Windsor and District Soccer League (WADSL) was a competitive soccer league operating in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. Its offices were located in Windsor, Ontario. The league was established in 1981 and promoted soccer in Windsor and Essex County until it was dissolved and replaced in 2015 by the Essex County Soccer League. WADSL provided a competitive environment to over 100 youth and senior teams from about 15 local clubs.
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The league has graduated players who have played for Windsor FC Nationals, the Ontario Provincial Team, Windsor Border Stars, and Canada men's national soccer team. Some of the players were fortunate enough to receive scholarships all over North America. Stephen Ademolu, a former player of the Windsor and District Soccer League is now playing professional soccer in Norway.
WADSL was an Associate Member of the Essex County Soccer Association (ECSA) affiliated with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA). The league's main objective was to provide a competitive edge of soccer for all youth, and adult players in a safe and harassment free environment.
History
Windsor and District Soccer League (WADSL) was formed in 1981. WADSL was mainly a youth soccer league until 2004 when it merged with the Michigan-Ontario Soccer League (MOSL) which operated only senior divisions. Until 2007, WADSL operated as a male league only. In January 2007, the league merged with the South-Western Ontario Women’s Soccer League (SWOWSL) and became both a male and female district league.
The number of teams playing in WADSL grew steadily over the years: 2006 - 77 teams, 2007 - 116 teams, 2008 - 111 teams, 2010 - 121 teams.
Governance and Structure
WADSL was a non-profit organization incorporated under the Corporations Act of Ontario. The League was governed by the Essex County Soccer Association (ECSA) and classified by the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) under the Pyramid for Play as Youth Level 5 and Senior District League. WADSL was run by its member Clubs, with each Club awarded a number of votes based on how many teams they register with WADSL each year. The member Clubs would elect a Board of Directors each year to operate the League on clubs' behalf.
Profile
Founded: 1981
Dissolved: 2015
Affiliation: Essex County Soccer Association
President: Steve Shearer, Lasalle, Ontario - Resigned 2014 just prior to club folding
Board of Directors: 10 Directors
Executive Committee: 4 Members
Members: 16 Clubs in 2008 season
Teams: (2008 season)
Male: 77
Female: 34
Players:(2008 season)
Male: 1243
Female: 610
Total: 1853
Divisions: 15 in 2008 season