Long Term Player Development

Wetaskiwin Soccer Club puts our players’ needs first. Our goal is to create not only good athletes, but good people. The skills that players learn can be carried through life with them. Our Technical Director creates programming based on the Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Model provided by Canada Soccer, and using the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards. This ensures that players are learning the right skills at the right time based on their current level of development. This approach, combined with the support of their coaches, parents, and club volunteers helps to create a lifelong love of the game.

Skill Centre Model

Our club also utilizes the Skill Centre model, which allows players to move within different teams within their age group throughout the season to ensure that all players are being challenged appropriately. This also assists with skill development for players who are introduced to soccer at a later stage (U9-U13) to ensure they do not fall behind their peers.

Programs are offered by level of development as follows:

U3-U4 (Active Start)

A Grassroots soccer approach is used to build individual soccer skills: stop & go, dribbling, turning, pace, shielding, etc. The games also give the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills.
This group does not include formal matches. All players are active with their own ball (size 3) for the duration of the session.
This group meets once per week for a 30 minute session. The season duration is 8-9 weeks. All sessions take place in Wetaskiwin. Field size is approx 15x20 meters, 3x5 pop up nets are available. Maximum coach to player ratio is 6:1.
Parents are required to stay at the field, and must assist their child with activities when necessary.
Coaches are actively involved on field supporting and encouraging the players. All head coaches & program facilitators are required to be certified at minimum of “Coaching Soccer in Canada”, CPIC, and RiS/MED. Any volunteer that is assisting with teams and has direct involvement with children is required to provide CPIC and RiS/MED. “Active Start” certification is recommended for all coaching staff.

U5-U6 (Active Start)

A Grassroots soccer approach is used to build individual soccer skills: stop & go, dribbling, turning, pace, shielding, etc. The games also give the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills.
Each session consists of 4 games/activities. All players are active with their own ball (size 3) for the first 3 activities. The 4th activity includes small sided 3v3 games, giving the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills.
This group meets twice per week for a 45 minute session. The season duration is 8-9 weeks. All sessions take place in Wetaskiwin. Field size is approx 15x20 meters, 3x5 ft pop up nets are available. Maximum coach to player ratio is 8:1.
In addition to regular training sessions, players may participate in 3 additional game days (45 min duration) that take place on Saturdays or Sundays in May & June (Dates TBD). These game days provide an extra opportunity to play during our short season, and build the feeling of community and the love of the game.
Parents are encouraged to stay at the field and cheer on their athlete.
Coaches are actively involved on field supporting and encouraging the players. All head coaches & program facilitators are required to be certified at minimum of “Coaching Soccer in Canada”, CPIC, and RiS/MED. Any volunteer that is assisting with teams and has direct involvement with children is required to provide CPIC and RiS/MED. “Active Start” certification is recommended for all coaching staff.

U7-U8 (Fundamentals)

A Grassroots soccer approach is used to build individual soccer skills: stop & go, dribbling, turning, pace, shielding, etc. The games also give the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills.
Each session consists of 3-5 games/activities. All players are active with their own ball (size 3) for the initial activities. The final activity includes small sided 3v3 games, giving the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills.
This group meets twice per week for a 60 minute session. The season duration is 8-9 weeks. All sessions take place in Wetaskiwin. Field size is approx 15x20 meters, 3x5 ft pop up nets are used. Maximum coach to player ratio is 10:1.
In addition to regular training sessions, players may participate in 3 additional game days (60 min duration) that take place on Saturdays or Sundays in May & June (Dates TBD). These game days provide an extra opportunity to play during our short season, and build the feeling of community and the love of the game.
Parents are encouraged to stay at the field and cheer on their athlete.
Coaches are actively involved on field supporting and encouraging the players. All head coaches & program facilitators are required to be certified at minimum of “Coaching Soccer in Canada”, CPIC, and RiS/MED. Any volunteer that is assisting with teams and has direct involvement with children is required to provide CPIC and RiS/MED. “Fundamentals” certification is recommended for all coaching staff.

U9 (Fundamentals)

A Grassroots soccer approach is used to build individual soccer skills: stop & go, dribbling, turning, pace, shielding, etc. The games also give the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills. Players also begin to learn key game elements - positions, boundaries, rules of the game, etc. Players have the option to join the CASA U9 Development League. Games will include travel to surrounding Central Alberta Communities. Recommended game format is 4x10 min quarters with 5 min breaks in between. Game may be led by coach or ASA Certified mini referee.
Each session consists of 3-5 games/activities. All players are active with their own ball (size 4) for the initial activities. The final activity includes small sided games (ranging from 3v3-7v7), giving the players an opportunity to work together to find success and learn the importance of teamwork skills.
This group meets twice per week for a 60 minute session. The season duration is 8-9 weeks. Size 4 ball is used, field size is 25x30 meters, 5x8 ft goals are used. Maximum coach to player ratio is 10:1.
In addition to regular training sessions, players may participate in 3 additional game days (60 min duration) in Wetaskiwin that take place on Saturdays or Sundays in May & June (Dates TBD). These game days provide an extra opportunity to play during our short season, and build the feeling of community and the love of the game.
Parents are encouraged to stay at the field and cheer on their athlete.
Coaches are actively involved on field supporting and encouraging the players. All head coaches & program facilitators are required to be certified at minimum of “Coaching Soccer in Canada”, CPIC, and RiS/MED. Any volunteer that is assisting with teams and has direct involvement with children is required to provide CPIC and RiS/MED. “Fundamentals” certification is recommended for all coaching staff.

U11 (Learn to Train)

This program includes a regular skill centre with peers twice per week. This skill centre model allows the players opportunity to develop their individual soccer skills through our short season: stop & go, dribbling, turning, pace, shielding, etc. Players also begin to learn key game elements: positions, boundaries, rules of the game, etc. Players will also have the option to play in the U11 CASA Development League. Games will include travel to surrounding Central Alberta Communities. Games follow FIFA rules and league guidelines. Preferred format of 7v7 or 8v8. ASA Certified referees are utilized for games.
This group meets twice per week for an 80 minute session. The season duration is 8-9 weeks. CASA Development games would occur in addition to these two sessions per week. Size 4 ball is used, field size is 30x40 meters, 6x16 ft goals are used, with adaptations in other travel communities when required. Maximum coach to player ratio is 12:1.
All head coaches & program facilitators are required to be certified at minimum of “Coaching Soccer in Canada”, CPIC, and RiS/MED. Any volunteer that is assisting with teams and has direct involvement with children is required to provide CPIC and RiS/MED. “Learn to Train” certification is recommended for all coaching staff.

U13-U19 (Soccer for Life)

This program participates in the CASA Travel League. Games will include travel to surrounding Central Alberta Communities. Games follow FIFA rules and league guidelines. Preferred format of 9v9 or 11v11. ASA Certified referees are utilized for games.
This group meets twice per week for a 90 minute session. The season duration is 8-9 weeks. Size 5 ball is used. Field size and goals follow FIFA requirements. Maximum coach to player ratio is 16:1.
All head coaches & program facilitators are required to be certified at minimum of “Coaching Soccer in Canada”, CPIC, and RiS/MED. Any volunteer that is assisting with teams and has direct involvement with children is required to provide CPIC and RiS/MED. “Soccer for Life” certification is recommended for all coaching staff.