Community Centre Programs

As I’ve mentioned numerous times, I’m a grassroots soccer coach. While I have taken a lot of workshops & courses, I don’t really feel comfortable coaching competitive programs (yet). I love getting right in my sessions, running with the ball, passing & playing keep-away with my players. I tend to shine with U5, U7, and U9 players that are just starting their soccer journeys.

Unfortunately, most of the grassroots or beginner-level programs for this age-group don’t really continue beyond their summer seasons. Those that do, tend to be quite expensive or repeat the same playing points every few months. This results in a repetitive program that limits the growth of grassroots players in a cost-prohibitive manner. If a program is going to repeat every 2-3 months, there isn’t much point to paying several hundred dollars every month or so, especially at the grassroots level.

Enter the Community Centre.

While a community centre’s program is largely unstructured, it’s very budget friendly (we paid $75 CAD for a 2-month program). Additionally, since it isn’t typically limited to set programs, mini-games, and teaching points, there is greater potential for grassroots players to continue their growth and development.

Even better, it’s a low-pressure environment allowing the little ones to develop without fear of feeling embarrassed by their lack of ability. As a result, community centre programs are a great space for self-conscious players who may be joining the game for the first time to learn & perfect the basics in preparation for a proper season.

My youngest (7 yrs) is using the fall & winter program at the community centre to focus on the specific skills he needs to try to move into a more competitive league for spring training. Sure, he needs a bit more than the coaches there can provide, but he has the drive to look it up & practice on his own between sessions so he can bring it out every week and see how it plays out on the field & in the gym. He started a little later than most of his friends and school, but has quickly caught up and can more than hold his own. The community centre was also his first experience playing basketball, giving him a stress-free environment to try something completely new to him.

My eldest (10 yrs) likes to play, but has little interest in competitive-level sport. For him, it’s just a chance to get out and get active with friends. A community centre program is good for him because his friends at school meet there & they play at a more relaxed pace than would be required if he were to stick with a proper club through the off-season year. He’s playing for fun & has little drive for more.

A community centre program is great for both of these kinds of kids during the off-season, and it may just be the right space for your young athlete. It builds a consistent schedule, keeping little ones away from their screens and active for at least an hour. While not the right place for kids already at a competitive level, it’s a good spot to get the basics, stay fit, and ramp up their skills so they can feel comfortable when the real season starts next summer.

Set programs with clubs have their place, but for many young & newer players, the community centre offers them a fun, low-stress place to play with friends. For grassroots-level players, it’s often the right place to be during the off-season. The community centre isn’t for everyone, but its low-cost nature makes it easier to try without creating massive regrets if it turns out to not be for your child.