Episode 4 - Teams Update, Trials Season, and New Grassroots Standards

Sanford Carabin

Welcome back to the Touchline Podcast, where we bring you the latest stories, updates, and insights from inside the FC Durham Academy. Whether you’re a player, a parent, or just a fan of the game, this is your space to catch up on what’s happening across the Academy.

Sanford Carabin

Alright, let’s get things rolling and start with our teams update!

Sanford Carabin

This past weekend was a busy one—five of our squads hit the road to Montreal for the Lakeshore Classic. We had 2014 and 2013 Boys and Girls teams all making the trip. The Lakeshore Classic is always a highlight on the calendar, and honestly, this year’s lineup of teams was as strong as we’ve seen in a while.

Ron clarke

Yeah, totally! And, you know, the Lakeshore Classic has a vibe you just don't get at most tournaments. You get teams from Quebec and Ontario, even some from further out, and the whole thing just feels—well, it's competitive but also super friendly. This year our teams did quite well, competing with the top teams across both provinces. Special mention has to go out to our 2013 Girls who made it to the finals and our 2014 Boys who made it to the semi-finals.

Sanford Carabin

Yeah and from a coaching point of view, these tournaments are gold for development. You really get to push the players a bit—put them in unfamiliar spots, see how they react under a bit of travel pressure. Some of our kids, it might be their first big trip away with the team, which is a whole new learning curve, even off the pitch. And playing unfamiliar teams—that's a challenge that gets them thinking and adapting.

Ron clarke

Right. It’s about more than just results—like we always talk about, development takes centre stage. We want them to compete, of course, but also to grow through these experiences. The Lakeshore Classic always delivers on that: new competition, new friends, learning to deal with pressure—all tied together in one trip. Hopefully parents and players were able to soak up the atmosphere and have a blast.

Sanford Carabin

Shifting gears now, just a short note on fields— training sessions are moving from Vaso over to the Civic and Ajax turf fields for the rest of the summer. They’re fantastic surfaces, perfect for high-tempo training. Just make sure you double-check your team calendars and emails so you don’t end up in the wrong parking lot.

Sanford Carabin

Turf brings its own quirks, but it also gives us the consistency to keep sessions sharp, rain or shine.

Ron clarke

Yeah good point.

Ron clarke

Before we wrap up our teams update, a quick congratulations to a couple of groups making waves at the Academy. First, our League 1 Men’s U20 team put in a strong run this season, just falling short in the semis, but flying the FCD flag at that level is a huge achievement. Secondly, our 2009 OPDL girls earned the Gatorade Team of the Month award from Ontario Soccer last month. This is a fantastic recognition of their effort, spirit, and growth.These are the kinds of milestones that show what FC Durham is building, on and off the pitch.

Ron clarke

Now, speaking of growth—its that time of the year!

Ron clarke

Tryouts are right around the corner and this year we expect things to take a big leap forward with the addition of trials between FCD East and FCD West at the grassroots pathway. So to ensure everyone is up to speed we wanted to explain how our trials and tryout process will work this year.

Ron clarke

Ok lets start with the grassroots age groups-U8 to U13. This is for players born between 2013 and 2018

Ron clarke

To register for trials at these age groups, visit FC durham academy.com and on the front page of our website, in the top right corner you will see a link for our grassroots trial assessments. Click this link and it will prompt you to open a playmetrics account to register for trials. You will be asked a series of questions to complete the registration. Whats important to know is the geographic region you'd like to register in. This year, FCD will be running two trial locations for each grassroots age group. If you live in Darlington, Oshawa, Port Perry or Whitby. we recommend you register for the East Location trials. If you live in Pickering, Ajax, Uxbridge etc we recommend you register for the West Location trials. FCD will operate teams in both geographic regions for the 2026 season.

Sanford Carabin

Yeah great information Ron. There is some urgency though....as trials for our grassroots kick off August 27th for our U13 age group and September 2nd for all our u8 to u12 age groups.

Sanford Carabin

All East Team Trials will be located at the South Courtice Arena and all the West Team Trials will be located at the Monarch Turf fields in Ajax. Once you register, you will be contacted about precise dates and times for your child's trial.

Sanford Carabin

Ok now lets discuss the older age groups. For players born between 2012 and 2006

Sanford Carabin

Tryouts for these competitive teams, which is U14 and up (both imodel and OPDL) will follow a phased in approach as recommended by Ontario Soccer. Beginning September 3rd, Phase 1 tryouts will commence for all players that are currently not playing at the OPDL Level. These tryouts will be located at the Oshawa Civic Turf Fields. Again, we dropped the registration link on the website, so if you’re looking to get in that mix, definitely sign up as soon as possible. OPDL’s always a big draw, and we get a wave of new faces every year at Phase 1 Tryouts. It gets a bit hectic, but honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sanford Carabin

Then following the conclusion of the current OPDL season in October, Phase two tryouts will immediately commence, beginning October 20th. Phase two trials are for all players, including current OPDL players.

Ron clarke

Thanks for the quick summary sanford. Tryout season is always a bit of a whirlwind. For the academy, it’s nonstop—fields, schedules, and making sure everything lines up. For players, it’s a mix of excitement and nerves, with everyone wanting to put their best foot forward. And for parents, it can feel like a juggling act—registrations, new venues, and being there to support through all the ups and downs. It’s a stressful stretch, no doubt, but it’s also where the real growth happens and where the energy across the whole academy is at its highest.

Sanford Carabin

Exactly Ron, we are really looking forward to making the best of this busy tryout season.

Sanford Carabin

Okay, last thing we want to dive into is the new Canada Soccer grassroots standards. These just came down the pipe, and—well, there’s a lot in there, but, to sum it up: It’s about creating more consistent, age-appropriate programming for all our young players across the country. No longer is there different standards between Ontario and bc, or Quebec and Alberta....all the provinces will finally be aligned when it comes to developing young players at the grassroots age groups.

Sanford Carabin

What are the Main changes? well. more focus on game formats that fit the players’ development level, stricter coach certification requirements, and clearer guidelines for parent communication. It’s not a total overhaul, but it sharpens up a bunch of areas coaches, players, and, honestly, parents have been asking for clarity on.

Ron clarke

Yeah, it just gives us a better foundation to build on, right? We touched on this in maybe episode two, I think, how the right environment is crucial at that grassroots level. These standards are gonna help ensure every kid, whether they're just kicking a ball around or already dreaming of OPDL, has a clear pathway and good support from coaches. Less guesswork, more structure—but still fun, you know?

Sanford Carabin

Yeah for sure. It just highlights how, by sticking to these National-led standards—whether it's OPDL or grassroots—we're building something pretty unique here.

Sanford Carabin

The individual awards and team success are fantastic. But more than that, it's about momentum. When people see FCD teams out there, they know we're setting the bar for development and community spirit, and, yeah, that’s something everyone can be proud of. Players, parents, staff—whole lotta effort goes in behind the scenes.

Ron clarke

Couldn’t have said it better. We’ll keep pushing, sharing updates as the standards evolve and as more teams make headlines. That’s it for this week—Sanford, always good catching up with you, and thanks everyone for tuning in. Big weeks ahead us with seasons ending and tryouts beginning, and plenty more FCD stories on deck.

Ron clarke

See you out on the pitch, everybody! Catch you in the next one.