Development Soccer Program

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Overview
Our Development Program is tailored toward intermediate soccer players who are seeking to improve their skills in a supportive and motivating setting with two sessions per week. Through a combination of skill development drills, physical literacy, and small-area games, we aim to help participants reach their full potential. This program is more advanced than our Learn-to-Play program, and is suitable for players who aspire to join our Academy teams in the future.

Toronto Soccer Association
TOP Soccer is now an accredited member of the Toronto Soccer Association, the governing body for soccer in Toronto. All players must be registered members of the TSA to participate in this program. Annual TSA registration fees are subsidized by TOP Soccer and a portion is included in participant fees.

Development Program Seasons

• Spring Season (May to June)
• Summer Season (July to August)
• Fall Season (September to October)

Do Players Need Previous Experience To Play?

No, Learn-to-Play and Development programs have an open registration process and previous experience is not required. Generally, we recommend that players complete one season for LTP before moving to a Development program. 

Required Equipment

• Soccer cleats (mandatory for ALL programs)
• Shinguards (mandatory)
• Knee-length soccer socks
• Shorts
• Jersey (provided)

Parent Supervision Policy

At ALL Learn-to-Play and Development sessions (ages 4-10), parents must remain at the field for the entire duration of the program. To maintain proper supervision of the whole session, our coaches are unable to leave the field at any time and will not be able to take your child to the bathroom or fill their water bottles. If your child is in the care of another parent, they are responsible for helping your child with any of these issues.

Are Bathrooms Available At The Programs?

We strongly encourage all players to use the bathroom before arriving at a program as bathrooms are not available at some facilities. Our coaches are NOT permitted to take children to the bathroom at any time. Parents must accompany their children to and from the bathroom.

For more information about the program, please email tom@topsports.ca.

What is the Development Program?

The Development Program is an intermediate soccer program running during the Spring, Summer & Fall terms, featuring skill development and age-appropriate small-area games. The Development Program is a great way for kids to fall in love with soccer, offering a chance to improve and work on skills, but also play age-appropriate games each.

What is the difference between our Academy Teams and the Development Program?

The main difference between our Academy teams and the Development Program is the commitment level per week. The Academy teams have 2-3 events per week, 1-2 weekday practices and 1 weekend practice, whereas Development has 2 events per week depending on the season. All players are welcome to join the Development program.

What is the format of the Development Program?

Each week, the schedule is split between skills sessions and games, offering players a mix of practice and gameplay designed to help players reach the next level. During sessions, players are split into small-groups working on fundamental skills and athletic development. During the gameplay, players focus on small-area skills, channeling competitive energy, and building passion for soccer. 

Can I sign my child up with a friend?

We encourage players to sign up with friends, and every effort will be made to place friends on the same group for the majority of the sessions.