Atléti Start
The Atléti Start Program (U3–U7 children born between 2019 and 2023) is the foundation of Atlético Kingston Football Club’s player development pathway. This stage aligns with Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Standards and Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) model, specifically the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages, where the focus is on building a lifelong love of sport and physical activity.
Our objective is simple: create a fun, safe, and engaging environment where children develop movement skills, confidence with the ball, and a passion for the game that we love!
At this stage, children are introduced to soccer through movement-based games and parent-supported activities that develop basic physical literacy.
Focus areas include:
Sessions emphasize free play and exploration, helping children develop comfort with the ball and movement.
Players begin to interact more regularly with the ball and develop basic soccer techniques through small-sided activities and guided play.
Key development areas include:
Players participate in small-sided games (3v3 or 4v4) which maximize touches on the ball and encourage creativity.
At U7, players begin to experience a more structured training and game environment while still prioritizing fun and skill development.
Development focuses include:
Players participate in festival-style game days, where teams play multiple short games in a fun and supportive environment.
Atlético Kingston’s grassroots programs follow national development guidelines designed to support young players.
Key principles include:
• Small-sided games to maximize touches on the ball
• Equal playing time for all players
• No standings or results emphasis at young ages
• Age-appropriate field sizes, balls, and match formats
• Qualified coaches trained in Canada Soccer grassroots methodology
These standards help ensure children develop skill, creativity, and confidence before competition becomes a focus.
Following Atléti Start, players progress into the U8–U13 Atlético Kingston Development Program, where training begins to emphasize:

This progression connects to the broader Atlético Kingston Player Pathway, which includes:
U3–U7 → Atléti Start (Grassroots)
U8–U13 → Development Program (Grassroots)
U14–U17 → Competitive Pathway
U18+ → University, League1 Ontario, and Adult Soccer Opportunities
This structured pathway ensures every player has a place in the game, whether their goal is high performance competition or lifelong participation in soccer.
For more information about the Grassroots program, please watch the following video.
To see cost and if there is space available, please log into PowerUp.
