About Us

OUR VISION

We believe that only the strongest people can become the best players, and that the lessons learned in sports are invaluable in developing a positive leader and influence outside of the game.

With that foundation, Ottawa TFC aims to provide the most talented and committed players in Ottawa with the opportunity to fully develop their playing potential as people and players.

We strive to develop future college, university, and professional-level players with a humble, winning and growth mindset.

Developing skills in players | Building quality in community | Achieving excellence in soccer.

Developing skills in players

Building quality in community

Achieving excellence in soccer

Awarded by

Ontario Soccer

PEOPLE FIRST

We believe that only the strongest people can realise their full athletic potential and become the best players, and that the lessons learned in sports are invaluable in building great leaders and influencers beyond the game.

With that foundation, players come next. Ottawa TFC is dedicated to creating the best possible environment for youth development, helping players reach their full potential in the sport. We offer programs for all ages and skill levels, from entry-level and recreational to some of the strongest in the province. These advanced programs routinely graduate players into university, professional, and national team environments.

OUR VALUES

PASSION - OUR PRIMARY VALUE

What brings people here, and makes them stay. Passion for the game at OTFC permeates all genders, nationalities, cultures, and the infinite differentiators that make us humans so awesome.

This is a place where we come together for one purpose, in a shared love of the game… it is the place and time that we are at our very best.

ONE FOR ALL – UNITY

It is not about individuals – our team comes first. When the club, squad and team are successful, so are the players!

TODAY WE GET BETTER – GROWTH MINDSET

Bringing our best each day, with humility and a passion to learn and improve.

FIRST IN, LAST OUT – WORK ETHIC

We approach every chance to play with a passionate mentality. We fight for every inch and compete every play to our maximum.

CANADA STRONG – EXCELLENCE

Creating a pathway from the grassroots ages all the way up to the highest level of the sport.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY

At Ottawa TFC, we are committed to the core principles of the Long-Term Player Development model. This comes with the understanding that players develop at different rates and need tailored guidance at each stage of their journey. Each age group and program in our club follows a specific training curriculum, designed to build on the last, ensuring every player and team reaches their full potential.

We also emphasize work ethic, discipline, respect, and a positive approach to sports and academics. Our programs develop well-rounded individuals who embody our culture both on and off the field. Ottawa TFC players take responsibility for their growth, respecting their peers, coaches, programs, facilities, and the game itself.

Regardless of age and level, all programs are designed with the 4 corner model in mind:

1 – Technical

Individual abilities with the ball, including but not limited to:

Ball mastery
- Juggling (specific list available in the Technical Schedule)
- "VTA touches" (Coerver drills – individual ball exercises)
Dribbling
- Running with the ball
- Shielding and protecting the ball
- Body feints and 1v1 skills
- Turning with the ball
- Dribbling with the weak foot
Finishing
- Basic shooting techniques (various parts of the foot)
- One-touch finishing (including volleys and headers)
- Shooting from distance
- Breakaways (1v1 finishing)
- Rebounds, scrappy goals, solutions inside the box
Passing
- Inside-of-the-foot passing (accurate, firm and without bounces)
- 1-touch passing and give-and-go's
- Long passing techniques
Receiving
- Varied first touch techniques (parts of the foot)
- Moving first touch to space
- Receiving to turn

2 – Physical

Physical capabilities to move as an athlete.

Speed
Strength
Coordination and agility
Fitness and endurance
Flexibility

3 – Tactical

How to play the game - individual and collective decision-making used to give yourself and your team a competitive advantage.

Basic principles of play include:

Off the ball
- Hard work
- Fluidity
- Compactness
On the ball
- Switching the play
- Breaking lines
- Creating
- Scoring

Ottawa TFC game models cover each playing format in detail, whether it be at 11v11, 9v9 or 7v7.

4 – Social/Mental

Mentality, character and interpersonal skills… who you are when nobody is watching, combined with who you are in a team setting.

Resiliency
Intrinsic motivation
Values and behaviours
Leadership traits

COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Ottawa TFC coaches are committed to continuous improvement and accountability in their roles as coaches and mentors.

We are very proud to feature a primarily “homegrown” coaching staff, that is also highly educated and qualified. Most of our staff boasts extensive playing backgrounds along with top-tier coach experience and education. Coaches stay updated on the latest trends in the game via conferences, club visits and the regular hosting of international guest coaches to the club.

The club has developed a well-defined coach development pathway, with many graduates growing into senior leadership and coaching roles at the club and beyond. We are proud to have produced several club leaders in both Canada and Europe, who developed their coaching craft here at our club, before moving on to lead other organisations. This too, is part of our mission.

CLUB HISTORY

25+ years of history impacting our community

Pathway to Professional

In 2018 Ottawa TFC partnered with with Major League Soccer mega club Toronto FC, working together to build a model professional player pathway and soccer development partnership.

Toronto FC supports Ottawa TFC as a regional satellite club, providing professional technical player and coaching development at the youth level.

SEE OUR PLAYER PATHWAY

National Club Licensing

In the spring of 2019, Canada Soccer awarded Ottawa TFC a National Club License, one of only 39 clubs across the country to be given this prestigious honour.

Canada Soccer's Club Licensing Program is designed to guide member organizations throughout the country toward best principles for organizational development both on and off the field. Our club is regularly audited to ensure these high standards are not only being met, but exceeded.

2019 National Championship

In the Fall of 2019, the club won its first national championship, when the U17 Girls team (born 2002, 2003 and 2004) defeated team Quebec in the finals in Charlottetown, PEI.

Ontario Player Development League

U13 to U17 Ottawa TFC teams in the High Performance Academy have the privilege of competing in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), giving our strongest players the chance to play against the best clubs in the province, and to be seen by prospective post-secondary coaches across Canada and the US.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM