Can I hold tryouts or pick a top team at U12?
Rule- Canada
- Canada Soccer
- Grassroots Standards
- Grassroots soccer
- U12
- 2026
- Coaches
Not through tryouts. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards say:
- Teams cannot be formed using tryouts or similar evaluation events in grassroots soccer up to U13.
- Tiering of players and teams is not permitted before U10. Streaming (placing players with others of similar ability) can begin at U10, but placement cannot be done through a tryout process.
- Programs must support "open rosters", which allow players to move between teams on a regular and ongoing basis.
- There are no provincial/territorial or regional select teams before U14.
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)
Added 25 Oct 2026