Overview: The C Diploma develops the coach’s capacity to meet the demands of coaching grassroots soccer and is the entry-course to the Advanced Coach Education Pathway.
Target Coach: The C Diploma is a requirement for OPDL and League1 Ontario Assistant Coaches but is open to all coaches looking to advance their careers and understanding of the game.
Course Duration: 75 hours
Learning Environment:
Pre-requisite:
Course Fee: $1,650
Licence Validity: Upon successful completion of the C Diploma the coach will receive a coaching licence valid for three (3) years. The licence may be maintained by following the Canada Soccer Maintenance and Renewal Process.
Application window is open until January 21, 2025
Successful coaches will be notified by February 4, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by February 18, 2025
To submit an application for the Canada Soccer C Diploma please use the following Jotform.
In-person Classroom and Field at Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre (7601 Martin Grove Road, Vaughan, Ontario)
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Location |
Date |
Time |
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Online Learning |
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
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Tuesday, March 18, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
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Monday, April 1, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
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In-person On-field Learning |
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Monday, June 2, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Observation of Competency |
Completed by October 31, 2025 |
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Location: Vaughan, Ontario
In-person Classroom and Field at Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre (7601 Martin Grove Road, Vaughan, Ontario)
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Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
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Tuesday, March 25, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
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Monday, April 8, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
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In-person On-field Learning |
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Thursday, April 24, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Friday, April 25, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Monday, June 9, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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Observation of Competency |
Completed by October 31, 2025 |
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Please note: 100% attendance and engagement is required for the duration of the course. Coaches must be in a workspace that allows them to actively participate in the course online with their cameras on.
Coach Enhancement Bursary
Up to a maximum of $300 per individual in the fiscal year (April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025) will be available to cover up to 60% of eligible course registration fees (workshop training) and up to 90% for completion of certification process (portfolio + evaluation).
If you have completed a C Diploma and would like to apply, please click HERE for a link to the Coaches Ontario website.
Ontario Soccer supports the Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Program through the provincial delivery of the Canada Soccer C Diploma (formerly known as the National C Licence). Effective in 2024, the Canada Soccer C Diploma (to be renamed the Concacaf C Diploma in the future) has undergone significant development to align with the Concacaf Coaching Convention; most notably the expansion of content and contact hours (previously 32 hours to over 70 hours).
This new C Diploma course is significant in scope and the commitment demanded of coaches - so Ontario Soccer, with the support of Canada Soccer – have developed a new course to offer further education and address the needs of an entry-level coach.
Despite initially being branded as the “D Diploma”, this course will be piloted and launched as the Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma through 2024. A comparative chart is included below to assist with understanding these changes.
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Canada Soccer National C Licence (Pre-2024 - no longer offered) |
Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma (NEW 2024) |
Canada Soccer C Diploma (NEW 2024) |
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| Cost | $850 | $800 | $1650 |
| Hours | 32 hours | 35 hours | 75 hours |
| Learning Environment |
1 day, in-person (on-field) 8x 2-hour online sessions Observation of Competency |
2 day, in-person (on-field) 8x 1.5-hour online sessions Assessment of Understanding |
6 days, in-person (classroom & on-field) 3x 2-hour online sessions Assessment of Competency |
| Minimum Certification Requirement to Access Competitions |
OPDL Assistant Coach L1O 'B' & U20 Team Assistant Coach IModel Pilot Project Head Coach |
U13 OPDL Assistant Coach IModel Pilot Project Head Coach Ontario Cup Head Coach |
U13 OPDL Head Coach U14-17 OPDL Assistant Coach L1O 'B' & U20 Team Assistant Coach |
| Pre-requisite | Learn to Train or Soccer for Life (Trained) | Learn to Train or Soccer for Life (Trained) | Learn to Train or Soccer for Life (Trained) or Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma (Certified) |
*The Safe Sport Roster, in full, is a requirement across all levels (except for Recreational soccer) in Ontario
The changes relative to access to competitions are recommended for 2024 and will be fully mandated as minimum certification requirements for 2025.
Please note: Coaches who hold a valid National ‘C’ Licence trained or certified status will continue to be recognized until such a time as an upgrade or transition process is announced by Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer. Coaches can also be provided an opportunity to submit a Coach Development Plan as they work to achieve the required certifications.