By Rob Stirling
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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.
