2026 Grassroots Soccer Program FAQ

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2016 - 2017 - 2018

Beginning March 2026 these age groups (8-10) will follow the Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Standards which emphasize inclusive, developmentally appropriate environments. Key changes include eliminating tryouts, introducing open registration, rotating training groups, and replacing leagues with festival-style event.

Moving forward, all soccer for players aged 8 to 10 will be delivered through the standardized Grassroots Program model — there will no longer be “developmental” vs “recreational” streams within this age group.

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

The Grassroots Program is a child-centered, development-focused way of delivering soccer. It ensures every young player gets quality coaching, fair playing time, and fun, meaningful experiences—helping them build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of the game.

As the reimagined grassroots soccer model continues to be implemented in Manitoba, the following is a collection of questions that have been asked within the province by local community leaders, convenors, and staff. 

For 2026, it should be noted that all WYSA Member Organizations are required to offer Grassroots Programming as part of their membership obligations. Accordingly, any organization that wishes to offer U11-U18 programming must also offer U8-U10 Grassroots Programming; this is a mandatory requirement with no option to opt out.

INTRODUCTION TO GRASSROOTS SOCCER

Q: What is the Grassroots Program?

A: The reimagined Grassroots Standards and Grassroots Programming is Canada Soccer’s updated, nation-wide approach to soccer for children up to U13. It focuses on creating a fun, safe, and age-appropriate environment where kids can learn, play, and stay involved in the sport for as long as possible. Canada Soccer redesigned this program to give all young players—no matter their ability—access to quality coaching, proper training, meaningful games, and positive experiences. The goal is simple: to enable more kids to play, learn, and love soccer in the best environment possible.

To support this, Canada Soccer introduced Grassroots Standards based on key principles, including:

• Programs and games should fit the child’s age and stage of development.
• Kids should get plenty of playing time and not spend long hours traveling.
• Coaches should be properly trained to support young players.
• Talent selection should happen later, so all kids have time to grow.
• The focus should be on fun and development—not on scores or standings.

Q: How does it work in Manitoba?

A: The Manitoba Soccer Association (MSA) and the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) are working together to bring these national standards into local communities. This includes coach training, community outreach, and support for clubs as they adjust to the new model. Manitoba will roll out the Grassroots Program in phases starting in 2026 with U8, U9, and U10. U11 will join the program in 2027. Programs will run in four seasonal Blocks throughout the year, with set Training Days and Match Days. Clubs will use Station-Based Training and flexible, weekly match-day rosters to help players learn, grow, and enjoy the game.

Families can choose Grassroots Level 1 (one practice per week) or Grassroots Level 2 (two practices per week). All players train and play in the same pool—levels only determine training frequency.

There will be two registration periods each year (spring and fall), and WYSA will organize regular Match Days with multiple organizations and a larger Jamboree with everyone once per Block to bring players together from across the city and region.

Q: What are the new changes to Grassroots soccer in Manitoba?

A: Manitoba Soccer is aligning its grassroots programming with Canada Soccer’s national standards, which emphasize inclusive, developmentally appropriate environments for players aged 8-13. Key changes include eliminating tryouts, introducing open registration, rotating training groups, and replacing leagues with festival-style events.

Q: Who does this effect?

A: All MSA member youth clubs delivering U8-U13 programming will be required to follow this model. MSA will support clubs through training, audits, and resources.

Q: Why is Manitoba Soccer changing its Grassroot model? Why now?

A: These changes are not arbitrary — they are part of a national alignment initiative with Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Standards, which must be implemented by 2026. The current model has shown systemic inefficiencies in how young players are grouped, trained, and supported. The new model is designed to better serve all players, not just early bloomers or those with prior access to experienced coaching.

Q: What's wrong with the current Grassroots system?

 A: While many clubs work hard, the existing model has flaws that limit player development: - Inexperienced coaches are often placed with teams of mixed-ability players without adequate mentorship or structure. - Coaches are frequently left to manage small groups (5-6 players) alone when attendance is low. - Training quality and consistency vary wildly between teams. - The current game structure still prioritizes results and fixed team identity, stifling broader development and causes friction between coaches and clubs when relationships deteriorate.

Q: How does the new model fix these issues?

A: This new training model requires each club to deliver training through a technical team. Novice coaches still participate, but in mentored roles responsible for repeating one activity throughout the session — increasing their confidence and skill while being supported by the lead staff.

Q: Why are these changes important?

A: They foster inclusive, player-first environments, remove early selection pressures, improve coaching consistency, and align Manitoba with national player development standards.

Q: Why is Grassroots a good thing?

A: Grassroots soccer is a good thing because it puts the child’s enjoyment and development at the center of the game. With age-appropriate training, fair playing time, and qualified coaches, the program creates a fun, safe, and supportive environment where kids can learn, grow, and build confidence. By focusing on skills and experiences rather than scores or standings, children can develop at their own pace without the pressure of early selection or competition. This reimagined approach also helps keep soccer family-friendly and accessible, with less travel, clearer program structure, and more meaningful opportunities for players of all backgrounds and abilities.

COMPETITON, TEAMS AND PLAYERS

Q: What is the difference between developmental and Grassroots programming now?

A: The primary goal of Grassroots Programming is to keep more young players involved in soccer for longer by providing them with an enjoyable experience through access to high quality training and meaningful competition based on interest rather than ability. Clubs are encouraged to offer programming based on training frequency. Families who wish to take part more 'recreationally' would be able to do so regardless of ability level while still receiving quality programming.

Q: Does the new Grassroots program separate players based on competition levels?

A: The new grassroots approach does not differentiate between the various steams of competition. Within grassroots soccer, the training program should be considered separately from the level of competition in which a player participates. As an example, a player training three days a week may not necessarily be able to compete regularly at the highest level of competition and, alternatively, involvement in a one day a week training environment does not restrict a talented player from playing at the highest level of competition as has occurred traditionally with the separation of developmental and recreational programming. With the new approach, players are placed into player pools or training groups, rather than onto static teams. While player pools may be further divided for activities and small-sided games within a training environment, these groups are fluid and should be changed frequently to allow for a variety of learning experiences for young players.

Q: What's the difference between Level 1 and Level 2?

A: Grassroots Level 1 and Level 2 are family-choice commitment levels and are not separate training groups. They determine how many times per week a child attends training, and all children train together. The difference between levels is not player ability, but an organization’s operational tier and readiness - ex: staffing.

Q: Who can offer Level 1 and who can offer Level 2?

AA: An organization’s operational tier determines who can provide Grassroots Level 1 programming and who can offer Level 2 programming.

• Level 1: Leadership requires Grassroots age-appropriate training.
• Level 2: Leadership requires a C Diploma or Children’s Diploma.

An organization that does not have meet the requirements of Level 2 cannot provide Level 2 programming.

Q: What's the difference between the blocks and which ones are more/less competitive?

A: All programming blocks are considered equal opportunities for player development. Families can register for either or both of the offered Blocks for a given season (Outdoor and Indoor) and can choose Grassroots Level 2 if they would like to increase the number of training sessions they attend. Grassroots Level 1 and Level 2 players for each age group will play and develop together as part of the same player pool for a given Block.

Q: Is this just a move away from competition? Will kids still play games?

A: Players will absolutely continue to compete — the format is simply evolving. Instead of traditional weekly league play, competition will take place in the form of festival-style events. These events still feature structured games, with each team typically playing at least two matches. On alternate weekends, clubs can host internal game days or collaborate with other clubs to create local match opportunities. The competitive experience remains central — it’s just delivered in a way that emphasizes development, variety, and inclusion over standings or fixed team outcomes.

Q: How often will match days occur and who will coordinate them?

A: As per the Block Overview, WYSA will administer WYSA Match Days every second week following the Match Day Format. Remaining Match Days will be administered by the Member Organization.

Q: Will Community Centres be financially responsible for organizing and staffing match days?

A: Community Centres and other sanctioned Member Organizations may work together to host a Member Match Day, however collaborating with another organization is optional and the member may choose to host the event on their own. WYSA Match Days and the once-per-block WYSA Jamboree will also provide an additional source for players to play matches.

Q: Why remove tryouts and permanent rosters?

A: Fixed teams can create early barriers to development and bias. The new model promotes fluid grouping based on effort, engagement, and growth, not exclusionary selection.

Q: Why are there no more teams?

A: By moving away from a team-based approach and toward player pools with open rosters for competition, it facilitates more meaningful competition (fewer one-sided results), a variety of experiences for players (sometimes a stronger player on a team, other times playing alongside others who are more advanced at that moment in time), and de-couples team formation from the training program in which a player participates.

Q: What are open rosters?

A: An Open Roster System allows players to be moved between teams on an ongoing basis rather than the traditional approach of fixed rosters which place a group of players onto a team at the beginning of the season with limited or no opportunity for movement. In addition to exposing children to a variety of experiences, including being a leader and follower, playing with friends and having the opportunity to make new ones, amongst others, open rosters also better facilitate meaningful competition between teams, which is instrumental to player development.

Q: How will players be grouped if there are no tryouts or permanent rosters?

A: Players will be placed into fluid groupings that change week to week based on growth, engagement, and effort. This model supports player development without the pressure of fixed rankings.

Q: What will the cost be for players?

A:  WYSA has established a Grassroots Per-Player Fee which will be $12.50 per player per block. The fee can be found as part of WYSA’s fee schedule, which is available on our website by clicking here

Q: How will programming costs be utilized?

A: The Per-Player Fees will be allocated in the same general manner as WYSA’s Team Registration Fees. These funds support the overall operation of our programs, including standard administrative needs, organizational overhead, and the resources required to deliver league services and jamborees.

Q: Is this change mandatory?

A: Yes. The rollout will be phased in to allow for smooth adaptation: - Year 1: U8-U10 - Year 2: U11 - Year 3: U12-U13

Q: Is there a way for organizations to opt-out from the new Grassroots programming?

A:  Member Organizations will be required to participate in the Grassroots Program as an obligation of membership. There will not be an “opt-out” option for soccer providers.

TRAINING, MATCH DAY FORMAT, AND COACHES

Q: What is station-based training? 

A: Station-based training is a format where players rotate through small-group stations focused on specific skills. It ensures higher engagement and more touches on the ball. 

Q: What are rotating training groups?

A: Rotating groups mean players will consistently train with different teammates and coaches to ensure broad exposure, reduce bias, and support well-rounded growth.

Q: How will the year be structured for soccer programming?

A: Programming will be delivered in seasonal blocks, potentially totaling 30 weeks per year, split into three blocks of 8-12 weeks from March to January. Families can register for one, two, or all blocks

Q: How will the Grassroots calendar be structured to align with existing recreational programming timelines?

A: The Grassroots Calendar has been split into 4 blocks as follows:

• Block 1: May & June
• Block 2: August & September
• Block 3: Mid-October to Mid-December
• Block 4: February & March

The blocks have been created to ensure consistency with existing programming. Grassroots Level 1 & 2 may have their Match Days on the same day, rather than separated as originally indicated. WYSA will have a window of days for WYSA Match Days throughout the 2026 Season. It is important to note that Grassroots Programming could have Training and Match Days scheduled for any day of the week based on what works best for the organization. WYSA will discuss with Member Organizations in advance as to the Match Days that will be scheduled.

Q: What options are available in winter months when space is limited?

A: Clubs may offer futsal-style play, scaled-down indoor station training based on space availability, or outdoor festivals where weather permits.

Q: Why is there no more League play?

A: League Play is no longer offered because it does not align with Canada Soccer’s model for meaningful and developmentally appropriate competition in the grassroots age groups. Traditional leagues—with fixed standings, uneven matchups, and a focus on winning—often lead to games that are either predictable or one-sided, which does not support player development.

Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Standards require clubs to create competition formats that prioritize balanced games, flexible grouping, and age-appropriate rules, field sizes, and game durations. These standards ensure that young players are matched with others of similar ability, so they stay engaged, motivated, and confident.

Starting in the 2026 playing season, all member organizations in Canada must follow these standards, which replace traditional League Play with competition formats designed to provide meaningful, development-focused experiences for all players.

Q: How do teams work on match days?

A: Teams are formed on Match Days with the player pool of available players for that day.

Q: What is a festival style match day and how does the match day format work?

A:  A Festival-style Match Day follows the required Match Day Format for grassroots programs, where multiple teams gather at a single venue to play rather than using a traditional home-and-away league format. Teams may play one or two matches, and there are no placement or elimination games. Match Days rotate throughout the season, with some hosted locally by each organization and others hosted by WYSA. When WYSA hosts, two or more organizations come together at a shared venue, creating a larger event atmosphere, but not on the scale of a WYSA Jamboree (a Jamboree is a WYSA-hosted Festival that brings all teams within a competition together with additional activities and amenities). This Festival-style approach emphasizes fun, development, and community by having divisions play in a unified, energetic environment.

Q: Are you saying the current coaches aren't good enough?

A: Not at all. This model supports community coaches by giving them better tools, mentorship, and structure. It acknowledges that many are doing their best with limited resources — this system helps raise the floor for everyone while preserving relationships and meaningful engagement.

Q: Were Grassroot coaches consulted before making these changes?

A: The structure of this model reflects years of learning not only from within our local soccer community, but also from nationwide trends, continental standards, and global best practices in youth development. While not every grassroots coach was formally surveyed, the design builds upon what many coaches in Manitoba already do well—shared sessions, skill-focused instruction, and creating fun, inclusive environments for players of all abilities. These enhancements are aligned with Canada Soccer’s national standards, which themselves draw from global leaders in grassroots programming. The model is built around methods that have consistently delivered stronger player retention, better coach support, and more positive sport experiences in countries where long-term development is prioritized over early selection. This is not a top-down imposition, but a scalable framework that continues to evolve with input from the people delivering it—local technical leads, coach developers, and mentors who work directly with players and volunteer coaches. In many ways, the new system formalizes and scales what effective coaches are already doing, providing them with the structure and support to go even further.

Q: What support will WYSA and MSA provide to help volunteers meet these expectations for 2026?

A: As the MSA is the body responsible for coach certification and education, please contact them directly. 

Q: Are there any changes to coaching certification for Grassroots programming?

A: Manitoba Soccer is reviewing the courses to determine the best course of action that also aligns with Canada Soccer. At the end of the day, this isn’t about Recreational or Developmental, it’s just about Soccer.

Q: What minimum certification requirements will be mandated for U8-U12 recreational coaches in 2026?

A: WYSA has consulted the MSA on this subject. The MSA has confirmed that QSP members must meet these minimum standards in order to provide the following levels for Grassroots Programming.

• Grassroots Level 1 - Leaders must hold one or more of the following CSA age-appropriate Grassroots Training: Active Start, FUNdamentals, or Learn to Train.
• Grassroots Level 2 - Leaders must hold one or more of the following CSA age-appropriate Grassroots Training: Children’s Diploma or C License.

Q: Who will manage the games if referees are not used in younger age groups?

A: Games at the grassroots level (festival style) will be facilitated by Game Leaders, scheduled by the host club. One or two Game Leaders will help run each match with the active support of both team coaches. The Game Leader will look to achieve a few objectives on the field: Enable children to have a fun and rewarding experience while competing in small-sided games; Ensure player safety; Implement simplified rules while keeping the game moving — limiting stoppages and assisting the young players with all restarts. Referees will not be used for the younger age groups, as the emphasis is on development, enjoyment, and learning rather than formal officiating.