Overview: The Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma supports the coach in the grassroots and competitive environments.
Grassroots soccer is all soccer that is non-professional and non-elite. This includes, but is not limited to, children's, schools and youth, amateur, soccer for disabled players, and walking soccer.
Target Coach: The Grassroots Diploma is a requirement for U13 OPDL Assistant Coaches, Ontario Cup Head Coaches and IModel Pilot Project Head Coaches but is open to all coaches looking to advance their careers and understanding of the game. Please refer to each league’s rules & regulations for up-to-date information on Coach Licensing Requirements.
Course Duration: 35 hours
Learning Environment:
Maximum Number of Candidates: 36
Pre-requisite:
Course Fee: $800
Licence Validity: Upon successful completion of the Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma the coach will receive a coaching licence valid for five (5) years. The licence may be maintained by following the Ontario Soccer Maintenance and Renewal Process.
Structure of the Grassroots Diploma
Intensive Delivery: the course will consist of four (4) in-person days which include classroom & on-field components
Blended Delivery: the course will consist of eight (8) online sessions and two (2) on-field practical sessions.
To submit an application for the Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma use the following Jotform.
Successful coaches will be informed of their acceptance based on the timelines below. They must complete payment to secure their placement in the course by the date listed below for each course.
Course #1 – KITCHENER – Blended Delivery:
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
In-person On-field Learning at RBJ Schlegel Park – (1664 Huron Rd, Kitchener, ON N2R 1R6).
Application window is open until December 20, 2024
Successful coaches will be notified by January 10, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by January 24, 2025
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Monday, February 10, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
Monday, February 24, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, March 10, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, March 24, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, April 12, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
Sunday, April 13, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
|
Observation of Competency |
Completed by September 5, 2025 |
|
Course #2 – KINGSTON – Blended Delivery:
Location: Kingston, Ontario
In-person On-field Learning at Richardson Stadium (366 Hargreaves WY, Kingston, ON K7M 5W9).
Application window is open until December 20, 2024
Successful coaches will be notified by January 10, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by January 24, 2025
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Monday, February 10, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
Monday, February 24, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, March 10, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, March 24, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, April 12, 2025 |
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
|
Sunday, April 13, 2025 |
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
|
|
Observation of Competency |
Completed by September 5, 2025 |
|
Course #3 – ST. CATHARINES – Blended Delivery:
Location: St. Catharines, Ontario
In-person On-field Learning at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (101 Glen Morris Dr, St. Catharines, ON L2T 2N1).
Application window is open until December 20, 2024
Successful coaches will be notified by January 10, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by January 24, 2025
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, April 12, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
Sunday, April 13, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
|
Observation of Competency |
Completed by September 5, 2025 |
|
Course #4 – NEWMARKET – Blended Delivery:
Location: Newmarket, Ontario
In-person On-field Learning at Newmarket Soccer Club (621 Newpark Blvd, Newmarket, ON L3X 2S2).
Application window is open until January 24, 2025
Successful coaches will be notified by February 11, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by February 25, 2025
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
In-person On-field Learning |
Friday, May 9, 2025 |
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
|
Saturday, May 10, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
|
Observation of Competency |
Completed by September 26, 2025 |
|
Course #5 – OTTAWA – Blended Delivery:
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
In-person On-field Learning at Carp River South (100 Charlie Rogers Pl, Kanata, ON K2V 1A7).
Application window is open until January 31, 2025
Successful coaches will be notified by February 19, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by March 5, 2025
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
|
|
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, May 17, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
Sunday, May 18, 2025 |
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
|
Observation of Competency |
Completed by October 3, 2025 |
|
Course #6 – PETERBOROUGH – Blended Delivery:
Location: Peterborough, Ontario
In-person On-field Learning at Eastgate Park (2150 Ashburnham Dr, Peterborough, ON K9L 1P8).
Application window is open until February 14, 2025
Successful coaches will be notified by March 3, 2025
Confirmation of placement through payment by March 17, 2025
|
Location |
Date |
Time |
|
Online Learning |
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, April 28, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, May 12, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
Monday, May 26, 2025 |
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|
|
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, May 31, 2025 |
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
|
Sunday, June 1, 2025 |
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
|
|
Observation of Competency |
Completed by October 17, 2025 |
|
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.
|
Canada Soccer National C Licence (Pre-2024 - no longer offered) |
Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma (NEW 2024) |
Canada Soccer C Diploma (NEW 2024) |
|
| 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.