Standards for Quality Soccer

CMSA Member Clubs must all have a club license to maintain membership.

The Canada Soccer Standards for Quality Soccer are designed to outline the minimum expectations of member organizations in Canada. It is expected that all member organizations provide a developmentally appropriate, safe, enjoyable, accessible, inclusive and welcoming playing environment for their participants, which differentiates it from non-member soccer and unorganized play. In order to be considered as a quality soccer provider, member organizations must also be in good standing with their governing organization(s) and meet the expectations of membership.
 

Characteristics and Behaviours

Governance

• Is located in Canada.
• Is a Member in Good Standing with its governing organization(s).
• Is compliant with the by-laws, policies, and directives of its governing organization(s).
• Has basic governance structures.
• Adheres to Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Administration

• Registers all participants with its governing organization(s).
• Has basic management and operational structures.
• Distributes information from Canada Soccer and its governing organization(s) to its participants.
• Infrastructure
• Has access to appropriate facilities and equipment to provide its programming.

Technical

• Provides a safe, accessible, and inclusive soccer experience.
• Provides an enjoyable soccer experience focused on long term participation.
• Operates programming that is aligned to Long Term Player Development stage-appropriate best principles. 

Canada Soccer Standards For Quality Soccer

The Canada Soccer Standards for Quality Soccer are designed to outline the minimum expectations of member organizations in Canada. It is expected that all member organizations provide a developmentally appropriate, safe, enjoyable, accessible, inclusive and welcoming playing environment for their participants, which differentiates it from non-member soccer and unorganized play. In order to be considered as a quality soccer provider, member organizations must also be in good standing with their governing organization(s) and meet the expectations of membership.

National Youth Club License 

The Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence recognizes the highest achieving organizations from across Canada and rewards them with the Canada Soccer Approved Youth Soccer Club endorsement and associated MLS Home Grown Player benefits. Organizations achieving this license display characteristics and demonstrate behaviours aligned with the highest expectations of governance, administration, infrastructure, and technical, support their Member Association and Canada Soccer Pathways and participate in the highest level of competition in Canada; the Canada Soccer Player Development Program.  

Characteristics and Behaviours 

Demonstrates the Characteristics and Behaviours from the Provincial/Territorial Youth Club Licence Level 1 and Level 2

Governance

• Has optimal governance structures, processes and policies or is committed to their development.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continual improvements to its existing governance structures/processes;

Administration

• Has advanced management and operational practices.
• Has advanced operational planning documents that align to the Strategic and Technical Plans.
• Has enhanced community engagement plans, capabilities, and practices. (RECOMMENDATION)
• Has advanced financial practices, development plans, and resources.

Infrastructure

• Has access to a physical space as a headquarters for operations.
• Has access to advanced facilities to allow for the delivery of optimal developmental programming.
• Has a facility strategy aligned to Strategic, Operational, and Technical Plans.

Technical

• Has a Technical Plan that aligns to the Long-Term Player Development Model.
• Has a Game Model that is aligned to the playing philosophy.
• Has Player Management Pathway and associated support mechanisms.
• Supports a holistic approach to player development that takes in to account Physical, Mental, Technical/Tactical, and Social/Emotional development.
• Operates optimal, standards-based, programming.
• Participates in the highest level of competition available.
• Has a Technical Lead with advanced certification (refer to Category Requirements for specifics).
• Has access to Learning Facilitator(s) to deliver Coach Licensing Workshops as guided by Canada Soccer and/or governing organization(s).
• Has a Sport Science and Medicine Plan aligned to the Technical Plan.
• Provides access to appropriate sport science and medicine expertise and support.
• Has access to appropriate technology to support player and coach development.