Canadian Premier League players have a brand new opportunity that could lead them to one day joining the professional coaching ranks.

Canada Soccer announced on Tuesday that it has expanded its National Teams Combined C/B Licence Coach Education Program to include CPL players, thus providing them with an opportunity to look at a future in coaching.

The expansion of the program, which was launched last September, offers a pathway for CPLers to earn a Canada Soccer B Licence in an expedited manner in recognition of their professional experience.

As part of the program, each CPL club will be permitted to nominate five players, including one international, with the league office approving each recipient. The courses, which will be taken online in 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, will be paid for by CPL clubs and will not count against the salary cap.

Upon successful completion of all components of the course the candidate will receive the Canada Soccer B Licence.

Several current and former CPL players have already engaged in the Combined C/B Licence Program through their affiliation with the Canadian Men’s National Team (Kyle Bekker, David Edgar, Kyle Porter, and Jamar Dixon, who have all earned Canadian senior caps, began coach licensing courses last Fall).

Canada Soccer expands combined Canada Soccer C/B Licence Program for National Teams players in collaboration with the Canadian Premier League.https://t.co/KM1eQq85aj

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) January 12, 2021