Grassroots Diploma
Grassroots Diploma
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:
- 2 days, In-person (On-field)
- Independent Online Learning (asynchronous)
- Collaborative Online Learning (synchronous)
- Assessment of Understanding
Maximum Number of Candidates: 36
Pre-requisite:
- Learn to Train or Soccer for Life (Trained)
- NCCP Make Ethical Decision (MED) Workshop
- NCCP Make Ethical Decision (MED) Online Evaluation
- Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders (Soccer)
- NCCP Making Head Way in Sport
- NCCP Emergency Action Plan
- NCCP Understanding the Rule of Two
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.
Application
Registration for 2026 courses open now!
To submit an application for the Ontario Soccer Grassroots Diploma use the Jotform linked below.
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 - St. Catharines roma - Blended Delivery
Location: St. Catharines, Ontario
Application window closes on January 8, 2026
Successful coaches will be notified by January 20, 2026
Confirmation of placement through payment by February 3, 2026
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
Asynchronous Online Learning - Module Access |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | |
Synchronous Online Learning |
Monday, March 23, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Monday, April 6, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | |
| Monday, April 20, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | |
| Monday, April 27, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | |
In-Person On-Field Learning |
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 10, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
Observation of Competency |
Completed by August 9, 2026 |
Course #2 - Peel Halton Soccer Association - Blended Delivery
Location: Peel Halton, Ontario
Application window closes on January 8, 2026
Successful coaches will be notified by January 20, 2026
Confirmation of placement through payment by February 3, 2026
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
Asynchronous Online Learning - Module Access |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | |
Online Learning |
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
Observation of Competency |
Completed by August 9, 2026 |
Course #3 - Southeastern Ontario Soccer Association - Blended Delivery
Location: Southeastern, Ontario
Application window closes on January 8, 2026
Successful coaches will be notified by January 20, 2026
Confirmation of placement through payment by February 3, 2026
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
Asynchronous Online Learning - Module Access |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | |
Synchronous Online Learning |
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | |
In-Person On-Field Learning |
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 10, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
Observation of Competency |
Completed by August 9, 2026 |
Course #4 - Hamilton - Blended Delivery
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Application window closes on January 8, 2026
Successful coaches will be notified by January 20, 2026
Confirmation of placement through payment by February 3, 2026
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
Asynchronous Online Learning - Module Access |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | |
Online Learning |
Monday, April 13, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Monday, April 27, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
| Monday, May 4, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
| Monday, May 11, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
In-person On-field Learning |
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 24, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
Observation of Competency |
Completed by August 23, 2026 |
Grassroots Diploma Host Application & Guide
Ontario Soccer now offers a hosting opportunity for the Grassroots Diploma. If your organization is interested in becoming a hosting partner for an upcoming Grassroots Diploma Course you can review the Grassroots Diploma Hosting Guide below and submit an application through our jotform.
Changes to the Coaching Education Pathway in Ontario
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 | $850.00 | $800.00 | $1,650.00 |
| 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), |
6 days - in-person (classroom & on-field), |
| Minimum Certification Requirement to Access Competitions | OPDL Assistant Coach, L1O 'B' & U20 Team Assistant Coach, IModel Pilot Project Head Coach |
U13 OPDL Assistant Coach, |
U13 OPDL Head 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.