Competitive Program

The NTSC Competitive Program provides an environment where players can develop technique, skill, creativity and game-understanding to their full potential. Long-term player development drives all coaching activities at NTSC and is thus core to the design of the Competitive Program.  Coaching programs are crafted to suit the specific needs of each age group, ensuring that all players are given the opportunity to maximize their potential in a supportive environment that matches their level of commitment and their stage of development. Complete soccer players are developed in the program through a holistic approach involving the four key aspects of athletic training: the technical, the psychological, the physical and the social. We believe that long-term love of the game arises from the enthusiasm of coaches who foster the development of technique, skill, game sense and creativity. Soccer coaching encourages crucial life-skills, including teamwork, dedication, perseverance, discipline and hard work. The starting point for all soccer development is mastery of the ball.

Recent Developments

Our ambition to progress as a Club is highlighted, not only through the introduction of a 10 month Program, but also the addition of a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 2011/12 season, a structured Goalkeeping Program, introducing the iSoccer Player and Coach Assessment tools, and affiliation with to the Toronto FC Club Academy Program.
 

TFC Academy Affiliation

Toronto FC is in the process of creating a structured path of excellence from entry level to 1st team. The Club Academy Program (CAP) provides stability and continuity in the development of players in Ontario through partnerships with progressive youth clubs and programs. The CAP demands a premium level of training that allows all players a pathway to Toronto FC. The CAP creates training environments that simulate the professional experience that Toronto FC’s current Academy teams are accustomed to, and through club co-operation, allows for friendly competition and collaboration for additional scouting and coaching development opportunities. North Toronto Soccer Club’s affiliation to this Program is the milestone by which we strive to achieve within the Competitive Program – building individuals to compete as a team.

Player Selection for the 2011/12 Competitive Program

Selection will be run by Club Technical Staff under the stewardship of the Club Head Coach on the dates advertised. They will be run over two sessions encompassing game related practice and technical skill using a standardised Player Assessment Tool. Coaches will have been asked to complete the assessment for players currently involved in the NTSC Competitive Program and so allowing focus on newer players.   

Pools of players will be selected and upon signed commitment to the Program will start practicing with their Age Group Head Coach in November. Those players who did not make the cut will be offered the opportunity to continue their development in our Indoor Development Program which will be led by Technical Staff, and if found to have reached the Rep Team standard will be given the further opportunity to make the Competitive Program.   

The U8 and U9 Competitive Teams will be Balanced Teams as per Canadian Soccer Association “Wellness to World Cup” Long Term Player Development Guidelines. Those teams U10 and above will be tiered teams working together allowing the best teams to represent our Club. Player Assessments will take place four times a season to monitor player development and player requirements.   

Within the Competitive Program there will be Rep and Select Teams. Rep Teams will take part in regular Ontario Soccer Association authorised League and Cup Competitions throughout the Spring and Summer months. This is the highest level of soccer offered in a Club structure. Select Teams are for players unable to commit to Rep or who have been found in need of further development before making a Rep Team. Select Teams train on a regular basis and compete in OSA sanctioned tournaments from April to September as a means of competition. Players from a Select Team will also have the opportunity to play as call-ups on a Rep Team as required.