About Us

A New Chapter, Rooted in Our City

Atlético Ottawa Juniors (formally known as Ottawa TFC) marks the next evolution of our club, one built on deep roots, shared values, and a bold vision for the future.

By formally joining forces with Canadian Premier League champions Atlético Ottawa as their first-ever affiliated youth club, we are strengthening our connection to our city while elevating what is possible for players across all levels of our programs.

This affiliation reflects who we have always been: a community-driven club committed to development, humility, and creating opportunities for young people to grow on and off the field.

Our partnership establishes a clearer, more connected pathway from grassroots soccer to the professional game, right here in Ottawa.

Among the key initiatives is the development of a new reserve team program for older boys and girls, designed to bridge the gap between youth and professional environments, with more details to follow.

Beyond the local impact, this affiliation connects our players to the global Atlético family, including Atlético de Madrid and Atlético de San Luis, ensuring that every player feels part of something bigger while remaining grounded in our community.

As we approach our 35th anniversary in 2026, we do so with pride in our history and excitement for what lies ahead, ready to take the field as Atlético Ottawa Juniors.

This partnership establishes a clearer, more connected pathway from grassroots soccer to the professional game, right here in Ottawa.

As we approach our 35th anniversary in 2026, we do so with pride in our history and excitement for what lies ahead, ready to take the field as Atlético Ottawa Juniors.

OUR VISION

We believe that only the strongest people can become the best players, and that the lessons learned in sports are invaluable in developing a positive leader and influence outside of the game.

With that foundation, Atlético Ottawa Juniors aims to provide the most talented and committed players in Ottawa with the opportunity to fully develop their playing potential as people and players.

We strive to develop future college, university, and professional-level players with a humble, winning and growth mindset.

Developing skills in players | Building quality in community | Achieving excellence in soccer.

Awarded by

Ontario Soccer

PEOPLE FIRST

We believe that only the strongest people can realise their full athletic potential and become the best players, and that the lessons learned in sports are invaluable in building great leaders and influencers beyond the game.

With that foundation, players come next. Atlético Ottawa Juniors is dedicated to creating the best possible environment for youth development, helping players reach their full potential in the sport. We offer programs for all ages and skill levels, from entry-level and recreational to some of the strongest in the province. These advanced programs routinely graduate players into university, professional, and national team environments.

Pathway to Professional

From grassroots to high-performance, players can progress within a connected system that aligns training standards, coaching methodology, and competitive benchmarks with the professional game.

This pathway is strengthened through the global Atlético network, operating under the shared philosophy and identity of Atlético de Madrid, providing players with exposure to world-class standards while remaining rooted in their local community.

SEE OUR PLAYER PATHWAY

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY

At Atlético Ottawa Juniors, we are committed to the core principles of the Long-Term Player Development model. This comes with the understanding that players develop at different rates and need tailored guidance at each stage of their journey. Each age group and program in our club follows a specific training curriculum, designed to build on the last, ensuring every player and team reaches their full potential.

We also emphasize work ethic, discipline, respect, and a positive approach to sports and academics. Our programs develop well-rounded individuals who embody our culture both on and off the field. Atlético Ottawa Juniors take responsibility for their growth, respecting their peers, coaches, programs, facilities, and the game itself.

Regardless of age and level, all programs are designed with the 4 corner model in mind:

1 – Technical

Individual abilities with the ball, including but not limited to:

Ball mastery
- Juggling (specific list available in the Technical Schedule)
- "VTA touches" (Coerver drills – individual ball exercises)
Dribbling
- Running with the ball
- Shielding and protecting the ball
- Body feints and 1v1 skills
- Turning with the ball
- Dribbling with the weak foot
Finishing
- Basic shooting techniques (various parts of the foot)
- One-touch finishing (including volleys and headers)
- Shooting from distance
- Breakaways (1v1 finishing)
- Rebounds, scrappy goals, solutions inside the box
Passing
- Inside-of-the-foot passing (accurate, firm and without bounces)
- 1-touch passing and give-and-go's
- Long passing techniques
Receiving
- Varied first touch techniques (parts of the foot)
- Moving first touch to space
- Receiving to turn

2 – Physical

Physical capabilities to move as an athlete.

Speed
Strength
Coordination and agility
Fitness and endurance
Flexibility

3 – Tactical

How to play the game - individual and collective decision-making used to give yourself and your team a competitive advantage.

Basic principles of play include:

Off the ball
- Hard work
- Fluidity
- Compactness
On the ball
- Switching the play
- Breaking lines
- Creating
- Scoring

Ottawa TFC game models cover each playing format in detail, whether it be at 11v11, 9v9 or 7v7.

4 – Social/Mental

Mentality, character and interpersonal skills… who you are when nobody is watching, combined with who you are in a team setting.

Resiliency
Intrinsic motivation
Values and behaviours
Leadership traits

Ontario Player Development League

U13 to U17 teams in the High Performance Academy have the privilege of competing in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), giving our strongest players the chance to play against the best clubs in the province, and to be seen by prospective post-secondary coaches across Canada and the US.

LEARN MORE

COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Atlético Ottawa Juniors coaches are committed to continuous improvement and accountability in their roles as coaches and mentors. We are very proud to feature a primarily “homegrown” coaching staff, that is also highly educated and qualified. Most of our staff boasts extensive playing backgrounds along with top-tier coach experience and education. Coaches stay updated on the latest trends in the game via conferences, club visits and the regular hosting of international guest coaches to the club.

The club has developed a well-defined coach development pathway, with many graduates growing into senior leadership and coaching roles at the club and beyond. We are proud to have produced several club leaders in both Canada and Europe, who developed their coaching craft here at our club, before moving on to lead other organizations. This too, is part of our mission.

CLUB HISTORY

35 years of history impacting our community

National Club Licensing

In 2019, Canada Soccer awarded Atlético Ottawa Juniors a National Club License, one of only 39 clubs across the country to be given this prestigious honour.

Canada Soccer's Club Licensing Program is designed to guide member organizations throughout the country toward best principles for organizational development both on and off the field. Our club is regularly audited to ensure these high standards are not only being met, but exceeded.

2019 National Championship

In the Fall of 2019, the club won its first national championship, when the U17 Girls team (born 2002, 2003 and 2004) defeated team Québec in the finals in Charlottetown, PEI.