RUSH UNIFORM RELEASE 2025

Former Rush Canada player makes Men's U16 National Squad

By Rob Stirling • August 14, 2026

Niko Brodar Selected to Canada’s U16 National Team Rush Canada is extremely proud to congratulate Niko Brodar on his selection to the Canada Men’s U16 National Team. Niko, a 2010-born defender, has been named to Canada’s U16 roster for the upcoming international camp in Santiago, Chile, where Canada will face Chile in two international friendlies on August 20 and August 23. Niko’s journey is one that we are especially proud to have been part of. Before joining the Toronto FC Academy, Niko competed with Rush Canada’s 2009 Boys OPDL squad, playing a year above his birth year. His talent, determination, passion and desire to improve were evident from the very beginning. His continued development has now earned him the opportunity to represent Canada on the international stage. We are incredibly proud of Niko and his family and are honoured to have played a part in his development. From his time in the Rush Canada environment to Toronto FC Academy and now the Canadian Youth National Team, Niko continues to demonstrate what can be achieved through commitment, hard work and a relentless desire to improve. Congratulations, Niko!

2027 OPDL Youth Trail Dates

By Rob Stirling • August 14, 2026

Rush Canada Soccer Academy is pleased to announce the trial periods for the 2027 OPDL season. Players interested in joining our OPDL program should take note of the following trial windows: 2027 OPDL Trial Periods Phase I — September 1 to October 19, 2026 Designed to identify talented players outside of the current OPDL environment who are looking for an opportunity to compete at the OPDL level. Phase II — October 20, 2026 to February 21, 2027 A period focused on evaluating players within the existing OPDL and Talented Player Pathway environments, while continuing to identify players who may be a strong fit for Rush Canada. Phase III — February 22 to April 3, 2027 The final trial period provides an opportunity for eligible players from any environment to be evaluated for remaining roster positions. U13 – 2014 Birth Year For players born in 2014, the U13 pathway includes an extended open-session period running from August 26, 2026 through April 3/4, 2027. 2027 OPDL Age Groups U13 – 2014 U14 – 2013 U15 – 2012 U16 – 2011 U17 – 2010 Rush Canada is committed to providing opportunities for talented players from all soccer environments, including those who have not previously participated in OPDL. Rush Canada’s specific trial dates & locations will be provided by the coaches once you have completed your youth trial registration form found throughout our Website. Take your next step. Challenge yourself. Earn your place.

2027 Youth Trails Starting Soon

By Rob Stirling • July 29, 2026

The countdown to the 2027 Youth Soccer Trials is on! While final trial dates and schedules are still being confirmed, most age groups are expected to begin in mid-August. We encourage all players and families interested in joining Rush Canada Soccer Academy to stay informed as announcements will be made over the coming weeks. Be sure to keep a close eye on: Our Website Our Facebook, Instagram, and other social media channels As soon as trial dates, times, and locations are finalized, they will be posted across all of our communication platforms. Complete Your Youth Trial Form Today If you are interested in attending our 2027 Youth Trials, we strongly encourage you to complete the Youth Trial Registration Form as soon as possible. The form is available: On the home page of our website Throughout our website Via links on our social media platforms Submitting the form ensures you receive the latest trial information, updates, and important communications as they become available. We look forward to welcoming both returning and new players to Rush Canada Soccer Academy for another exciting season. Stay tuned—more details are coming soon!

Rush Canada Named OPDL Coach of the Month

By Rob Stirling • July 28, 2026

Rush Canada's Coach Cris named OPDL Coach of the Month for June 2026 Rush Canada Soccer Academy is proud to congratulate Cristian Bogdan, Head Coach of our Girls U15 OPDL team, on being recognized as the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) Coach of the Month for June. This well-deserved recognition reflects Cristian's outstanding leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the development of every player in his program. Throughout the month of June, his dedication to creating a positive, challenging, and player-centred environment helped guide the Girls U15 squad through an excellent stretch of performances while continuing to foster both individual growth and team success. Cristian's coaching philosophy emphasizes technical excellence, tactical understanding, and character development, ensuring that every player is supported both on and off the field. His passion for the game, attention to detail, and commitment to helping young athletes reach their full potential embody the values of Rush Canada Soccer Academy and the OPDL. Awards such as this are a testament not only to Cristian's hard work but also to the collective commitment of our players, coaching staff, and families who contribute to the positive culture within our Girls U15 program. Congratulations, Cristian, on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly proud to have you as part of the Rush Canada family and wish you and the Girls U15 team continued success throughout the remainder of the season! Congratulations once again on being named the OPDL Coach of the Month for June!

Rush Canada Boys 2011 OPDL Shine!

By Rob Stirling • April 9, 2026

Jefferson Cup Showcase 2026 - 1st Place Rush Canada’s 2011 Boys delivered an outstanding performance at the Jefferson Cup, competing in a highly competitive 12-team showcase division. The squad finished top of the group with a perfect record—three wins, six goals scored, and just one conceded—demonstrating consistency and quality on both sides of the ball. The level of competition was excellent, with all three victories coming against strong opponents, including last year’s U14 ECNL National Champions. In the final match, facing a top team from the opposing group with first place on the line, the boys rose to the occasion with an impressive 3–1 win, capping off a dominant three days of soccer. A complete team performance and a great reflection of the group’s development—well done, boys

Canada Soccer Grassroots Update

By Rob Stirling • February 10, 2026

GRASSROOTS UPDATED STANDARDS are now active. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards have been designed to create the best possible learning and development environment for young players in Canada. First introduced in 2020, the Grassroots Standards are based on Sport for Life’s Long-term Athlete Development (2007) and Canada Soccer’s Long-term Player Development (2008) as well as global best practice while considering the realities of Canadian soccer and will become mandatory for all member organizations (clubs, academies, districts/regions, leagues) in Canada in advance of the 2026 playing season. In Canada, our goal is to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to as many Canadians as possible developing a passion for the ball, being skillful, with the ability to adapt and find solutions to soccer problems. To develop skillful players who are comfortable with the ball and have the technical proficiency and tactical understanding to solve soccer problems, it is essential that young players interact with the ball as often as possible by fostering an environment that maximizes one-on-one encounters, quick decision making, and final acts (goals, shots, crosses). Given the uniqueness of our country, where geography, climate, and infrastructure can be vastly different from one region to the next, it may not always be possible to implement the Grassroots Standards in their entirety. Recognizing this reality, member organizations may apply for special dispensation through their Provincial/Territorial Member Association by providing supporting rationale and an action plan to achieve the standard (if applicable) if they are not able to meet all required standards. This approach allows for some flexibility to account for the different environments and contexts in which soccer is played, while setting a standardized national direction for grassroots soccer in Canada. As adults, it is our responsibility to ensure that all children can enjoy soccer in a safe, fun, accessible, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment. The Grassroots Standards are structured around a set of guiding principles for grassroots soccer in Canada. GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Grassroots Programs should be appropriately structured for the age and stage of the participating players and allow for the opportunity for multi-sport participation, activity sampling, and life balance. Grassroots Matches should be played on fields, with goals and balls, and following a match day format that is developmentally appropriate for the participating players. Coaches have the greatest impact on the experience of players and every child deserves a properly qualified coach. Children register to play soccer, not to watch others play or spend time traveling. Teams should strive for fair playing time and limit travel time as much as possible. Talent Identification and selection should be delayed as long as possible to provide as many players as possible with the best training environment available. Match results should not be the focus of grassroots soccer as this restricts player development and negatively impacts the player experience. At Rush Canada we have embraced the guidelines and have structured our programs accordingly. Feel free to contact us for more information at info@rushcanada.com.

Rush Canada Soccer Academy

RUSH CANADA SOCCER ACADEMY