Whitecaps London follows Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Standards—age-specific formats designed to maximize touches, fun, and fair play while building strong technical foundations for every player.
Whitecaps London follows Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer’s Grassroots Standards to ensure that every player experiences a safe, enjoyable, and developmentally appropriate environment. These playing formats are designed to maximize touches on the ball, encourage creativity, and promote equal participation across all skill levels. Each age group follows specific guidelines related to roster size, field dimensions, practice ratios, and game structure to support learning and long-term development.
U6 – Active Start (3v3, No Goalkeeper)
Maximum Game Day Roster: 6 players
Ball Size: 3
Open program, no tryouts or selections
Playing Time: Fair rotation in all positions (max 40 minutes per day)
Practice-to-Play Ratio: 1:1
Game Duration: 30 minutes
Practice Duration: 45 minutes
No throw-ins or corner kicks; restarts are pass-ins or dribbles
Retreat Line: Halfway line
Field Size: 18–22m × 25–30m
Goal Size: Pugg nets or 5ft × 8ft (1.52m × 2.44m)
Coach-to-Player Ratio: 1:6
Program Seasons: Winter (16 weeks), Spring (6 weeks), Summer (16 weeks)
U7 – FUNdamentals (4v4, No Goalkeeper)
Maximum Game Day Roster: 8 players
Ball Size: 3
Open program, no tryouts or selections
Playing Time: Fair time in all positions (max 60 minutes per day)
Practice-to-Play Ratio: 1:1 or 2:1
Game Duration: 40 minutes
Practice Duration: 45 minutes
No throw-ins or corner kicks; restarts are pass-ins or dribbles
Retreat Line: Halfway line
Field Size: 25–30m × 30–36m
Goal Size: Pugg nets or 5ft × 8ft
Coach-to-Player Ratio: 1:8
Program Seasons: Winter (16 weeks), Spring (6 weeks), Summer (16 weeks)
U8 – FUNdamentals (4v4 or 5v5)
Maximum Game Day Roster: 10 players
Ball Size: 3 or light 4
Open program, no tryouts or selections
Playing Time: Fair time in all positions (max 60 minutes per day)
Practice-to-Play Ratio: 1:1 or 2:1
Game Duration: 40 minutes
Practice Duration: 45 minutes
No throw-ins or corner kicks; restarts are pass-ins or dribbles
Retreat Line: Halfway line
Field Size: 25–30m × 30–36m
Goal Size: Pugg nets or 5ft × 8ft
Coach-to-Player Ratio: 1:10
Program Seasons: Winter (16 weeks), Spring (6 weeks), Summer (16 weeks)
U9–U10 – Learn to Train (7v7)
Ideal Game Day Roster: 9 players
Maximum Game Day Roster: 12 players
Ball Size: 4
Open program, no tryouts or selections
Playing Time: Fair rotation (max 80 minutes per day)
Practice-to-Play Ratio: 1:1 or 2:1
Game Duration: 50 minutes
Practice Duration: 60–70 minutes
Restarts: Pass-ins or dribbles (no throw-ins)
Retreat Line: One-third of the field
Field Size: 30–36m × 40–55m
Goal Size: 6ft × 16ft (1.83m × 4.88m)
Coach-to-Player Ratio: 1:12
Program Seasons: Winter (16 weeks), Spring (6 weeks), Summer (16 weeks)
U11–U12 – Learn to Train (9v9)
Ideal Game Day Roster: 12 players
Maximum Game Day Roster: 16 players
Ball Size: 4 or light 5
Open program, no tryouts or selections
Playing Time: Fair time for all players (max 80 minutes per day)
Practice-to-Play Ratio: 1:1 or 2:1
Game Duration: 70 minutes
Practice Duration: 60–70 minutes
Restarts: Standard throw-ins
Retreat Line: One-third of the field
Offsides in play
Field Size: 42–55m × 60–75m
Goal Size: 6ft × 18ft (1.83m × 5.49m)
Coach-to-Player Ratio: 1:16
Program Seasons: Winter (16 weeks), Spring (6 weeks), Summer (16 weeks)
These guidelines ensure that all players receive balanced playing time, equal opportunities to develop in every position, and an appropriate progression in technical and tactical learning. Whitecaps London’s grassroots model is based on long-term player development principles, prioritizing enjoyment, skill growth, and inclusion above results.
