Jr. Academy Youth Recreational Soccer
A Canada Soccer–Approved Grassroots Recreational Program for Ages u2–u14
Unionville Milliken SC is proud to launch its Outdoor Junior Academy, a recreational and developmental soccer program for ages 2–14, designed and delivered according to the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards and Ontario Soccer’s Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) model.
Our goal is simple: to create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment where every child can learn, play, and love soccer with certified coaches, player-to-coach ratios, and developmentally appropriate formats for every age and stage.
🗓 Season Options
Full Outdoor Season: May 23 – August 29 (14 weeks)
Partial Outdoor Seasons:
- First Term: May 23 – July 10 (7 weeks)
- Second Term: July 13 – August 29 (7 weeks)
🕒 One session per week (training + game)
🎽 Uniform included: Jersey, shorts & socks
✅ Ontario Soccer & Government safety protocols in place
⚽ Program Structure by Age Group
(Aligned with Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards)
| Stage | Age Group | Day & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents & Tots | U2–U3 (Boys & Girls) | Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM | Berczy Park North, 447 Bridle Walk, Markham |
| Active Learning | U4–U6 (Boys & Girls) | Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM Tuesday 6:30-7:30 PM | Berczy Park North, 447 Bridle Walk, Markham |
| FUNdamentals | U7–U9 (Boys) | Monday 6:30–7:30 PM Wednesday 6:30-7:30 PM | Berczy Park North, 447 Bridle Walk, Markham |
| FUNdamentals | U7–U9 (Girls) | Tuesday 6:30–7:30 PM Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM | Berczy Park North, 447 Bridle Walk, Markham |
| Learn to Train I | U10–U12 (Boys) | Monday 6:30–7:30 PM Wednesday 6:30-7:30 PM | Milliken Mills (Top of Hill), 7700 Kennedy Road, Markham |
| Learn to Train I | U10–U12 (Girls) | Tuesday 6:30–7:30 PM Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM | Berczy Park North, 447 Bridle Walk, Markham |
| Learn to Train II | U13–U14 (Boys) | Monday 6:30–7:30 PM Wednesday 6:30-7:30 PM | Milliken Mills (Top of Hill), 7700 Kennedy Road, Markham |
| Learn to Train II | U13–U14 (Girls) | Tuesday 6:30–7:30 PM Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM | Berczy Park North, 447 Bridle Walk, Markham |
U2–U3 (Born 2023 - 2024) | Parents & Tots (Active Start – Parent Participation)
- Focus on movement, balance, coordination, and fun.
- Parents assist and participate to promote comfort and engagement.
- Goal: Develop early physical literacy and a positive attitude toward activity.
U4–U6 (Born 2020 - 2021 - 2022) | Active Start (Boys & Girls)
- Emphasis on fun, activity, and participation over competition.
- Learn to dribble, pass, and move with the ball through game-based play.
- No standings or scores. Every child plays equally.
U7–U9 (Born 2017 - 2018 - 2019) | FUNdamentals (Boys & Girls)
- Focus on ball mastery, teamwork, and creativity.
- Practice-to-match ratio: 2:1 or 3:1 (more training touches than games).
- Matches are festival-style, no standings.
- Goal: Develop coordination, decision-making, and confidence on the ball.
Learn to Train Stage (U10–U13)
The “Learn to Train” phase builds the foundation for future technical and tactical understanding—still recreational, but with structured learning in a fun and inclusive environment.
U10–U11 (Born 2015 - 2016) | Learn to Train (Stage 1)
- Developmental focus on ball control, passing combinations, spacing, and awareness.
- Introduces basic tactical principles while maintaining equal playing time.
- Festival-style or non-competitive league format (no scores or standings).
- Retreat line used to encourage playing out from the back.
- Goal: Build technical comfort and game understanding while keeping soccer fun.
U12–U14 (Born 2012 - 2014) | Learn to Train (Stage 2)
- Focus on technical refinement, game intelligence, and team play.
- Players begin to understand positions, transitions, and collective movement.
- Equal playing time and position rotation remain mandatory.
- Matches emphasize skill execution and learning, not results.
- Goal: Prepare players for lifelong soccer enjoyment, recreational or competitive.
🏟 Technical & Match Metrics
UMSC is guided by the CSA/OSA Technical & Match Metrics
| Category | U2-U3 & U4–U6 | U7–U9 | U10–U12 | U13–U14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season / Block Length | 6–16 weeks | 6–22 weeks | 10–22 weeks | 10–22 weeks |
| Practice-to-Match Ratio | N/A | 2:1 or 3:1 | 2:1 or 3:1 | 2:1 or 3:1 |
| Session Duration | 30–60 min | 45–75 min | 60–75 min | 60–90 min |
| Match Days / Week | N/A | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Memorable Events (Festivals) | N/A | Up to 2 / Season | Up to 2 / Season | Up to 3 / Season |
| Match Format | 3v3 | 4v4 / 5v5 | 7v7 | 9v9 |
| Goal Size (max) | 3×5 ft | 5×8 ft | 6×16 ft | 6×18 ft |
| Field Size (indoor equivalent) | 18×25 m | 25×36 m | 30×50 m | 45×70 m |
| Match Duration (max) | 30 min (2×15) | 40 min (2×20) | 50 min (2×25) | 70–80 min (2×35/40) |
| Max Match Time / Player / Day | 60 min | 80 min | 100 min | 120 min |
| Rest Between Matches | N/A | Duration of one match | Duration of one match | Duration of one match |
| Roster (Ideal / Max) | N/A | 6–9 | 8–12 | 10–14 (U11) / 14–18 (U13) |
| Referee / Game Leader | Coach-led | Game Leader | Game Leader / Referee | Referee |
| Restarts from Sidelines | Dribble-in | Dribble-in or Pass-in | Throw-in (U10+) | Throw-in |
| Offside | No | No | Yes (one-third line) | Yes |
| Substitutions | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Retreat Line | N/A | Halfway line | One-third | No |
| Scores / Standings | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded | Optional in festivals only |
| Playing Time | 100% participation | Minimum 50% | Minimum 50% | Minimum 50% |
| Travel Time | Within organization | ≤60 min | ≤60 min | ≤60 min |
| Team Formation | Open rosters | Balanced rosters | Balanced (no tryouts) | Streamed (no tryouts before U14) |
🧠 Program Principles (Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards)
- All players participate equally fair playing time for everyone (minimum 50%).
- No tryouts or player selection under U13 open rosters and mixed-ability groups.
- No scores or standings up to U12.
- Coach education standards followed:
- NCCP Active Start / FUNdamentals / Learn to Train
- Respect in Sport
- Make Ethical Decisions
- Emergency Action Planning & Headway (Concussion)
- Practice-to-match ratios designed to maximize skill development (2:1–3:1).
- Match formats, field sizes, and ratios per official Grassroots metrics.
❤️ Why Choose Unionville Milliken SC?
- Fully compliant with Ontario Soccer & Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards
- Certified coaches in every age category
- Safe, supportive, and player-centered environment
- Small group ratios for better engagement and learning
- Flexible seasonal options for busy families
Come join Unionville Milliken SC — your child’s soccer home where fun, learning, and development come together!