PRAIRIE FIRE FC PLAYER PATHWAY

Aligned With Canada Soccer Long-Term Player Development

The Prairie Fire FC Player Pathway provides a clear place for every player—from their first experience with a ball to competitive soccer and lifelong participation in the game.

Our pathway is built around four connected programs:

• Foundations: A positive, play-based introduction to soccer for U3–U7 players
• Club: Inclusive team programming for U9–U17 players
• Performance: Increased training and structured competition for U9–U17 players
• Academy: Additional technical, positional and individual development for U9–U17 players

Players are not locked into one pathway. Movement between Club and Performance is supported when a player’s interest, readiness, commitment and development change.

Academy programming supports both Club and Performance players and may also be accessed as a standalone development opportunity.

U3 — LITTLE SPARKS

Birth Year: 2024
LTPD Stage: Active Start
Prairie Fire Program: Foundations
Format: Eight-week parent-and-child program

Player Focus

• A positive first experience with soccer
• Fun, imagination and exploration
• Running, stopping, jumping and balancing
• Early coordination and physical literacy
• Becoming comfortable with a ball
• Confidence participating in a group
• Playing alongside a parent or caregiver

Little Sparks uses short activities, movement stories and simple ball games. There are no formal teams, positions, scores or standings.

Play. Explore. Belong.

U5 — FIRE STARTERS

Birth Years: 2022–2023
LTPD Stage: Active Start
Prairie Fire Program: Foundations
Format: Eight-week program

Player Focus

• Fun and love of the game
• Ball familiarity and frequent touches
• Running, stopping, starting and changing direction
• Balance, coordination and agility
• Dribbling, turning and kicking
• Confidence and creativity
• Learning to participate with others

Fire Starters sessions use short, station-based activities that keep players active and engaged. Children learn through play, repetition and exploration—not through lines, laps or lengthy instruction.

Play. Learn. Belong.

U7 — RISING FLAME

Birth Years: 2020–2021
LTPD Stage: Active Start to FUNdamentals
Prairie Fire Program: Foundations
Format: Eight-week program

Player Focus

• Developing confidence with the ball
• Dribbling in different directions
• Passing and receiving introductions
• Shooting and scoring
• Movement, coordination and physical literacy
• Creativity and simple problem-solving
• Learning through small-sided games
• Positive interaction with teammates and coaches

Rising Flame builds on the movement and ball familiarity developed at U5. Players begin solving simple soccer problems while still learning primarily through play.

Play. Develop. Ignite.

U9 — FUNDAMENTALS

Birth Years: 2018–2019
LTPD Stage: FUNdamentals

Program Options

• Prairie Fire Club
• Prairie Fire Performance
• Prairie Fire Academy

Players may choose Club or Performance and are not required to participate in both.

Club

An inclusive, development-focused team environment for players who want to learn, improve and enjoy playing soccer with a manageable weekly commitment.

Performance

Increased training and structured competition for players ready for a greater commitment. Performance teams may participate in the Forge Spring Soccer League, friendly matches and tournaments.

Academy

Optional additional development through technical training, goalkeeper sessions, camps, position-specific instruction and small-group opportunities.

Player Focus

• Strong technical foundations
• Dribbling, passing, receiving and finishing
• Physical literacy and athletic movement
• Decision-making through small-sided games
• Confidence and creativity
• Learning to support teammates
• Simple attacking and defending principles

U11 — LEARN TO TRAIN

Birth Years: 2016–2017
LTPD Stage: Learn to Train

Program Options

• Prairie Fire Club
• Prairie Fire Performance
• Prairie Fire Academy

Club

Quality coaching, weekly training and meaningful games in a positive environment. Club provides a strong development experience while allowing players to balance soccer with other activities.

Performance

Increased training, commitment and structured competition. Performance teams may participate in the Forge Spring Soccer League, friendly matches and tournaments.

Academy

Additional technical, goalkeeper, position-specific, camp and small-group development opportunities.

Player Focus

• Passing and receiving under pressure
• First touch and ball control
• Dribbling with purpose
• Combination play
• Decision-making and game understanding
• Support, width, pressure and recovery
• Confidence, resilience and communication
• Learning through small-sided and positional games

Players continue rotating through positions to build complete technical skills and a broad understanding of the game.

U13 — LEARN TO TRAIN TO TRAIN TO TRAIN

Birth Years: 2014–2015
LTPD Stage: Learn to Train to early Train to Train

Program Options

• Prairie Fire Club
• Prairie Fire Performance
• Prairie Fire Academy

Club

Coed programming where appropriate, with regional games against neighbouring rural communities. Some travel is required to provide meaningful competition.

Performance

Increased training and structured competition through league play, the Forge Spring Soccer League where applicable, friendly matches and tournaments.

Academy

Additional technical, goalkeeper, position-specific, small-group, individual and camp opportunities.

Player Focus

• Technical execution at increased speed
• Passing and receiving under pressure
• Dribbling to create advantages
• Combination play
• Tactical awareness
• Attacking and defending principles
• Decision-making during transitions
• Physical development through growth and maturation
• Confidence, resilience and accountability

Players may be grouped flexibly when appropriate to provide the right level of challenge and support.

Coaches consider differences in growth and maturation and will not judge long-term potential only by current size, speed or strength.

U15 — TRAIN TO TRAIN

Birth Years: 2012–2013
LTPD Stage: Train to Train

Program Options

• Prairie Fire Club
• Prairie Fire Performance
• Prairie Fire Academy
• External advanced opportunities where appropriate

Club

Regional team programming for players who want to continue developing and competing while balancing soccer with school, other sports and life commitments. Coed programming may be used where appropriate.

Performance

Increased training and more demanding competition. Performance teams may participate in structured league play, tournaments and 11-a-side Provincial competitions.

Prairie Fire FC intends to form one U15 Performance team where registration numbers and player readiness support it. Evaluations will be led by the Technical Director and coaching staff.

Players not selected for Performance will be offered a place in the Club program.

Academy

Additional technical, tactical, goalkeeper, position-specific and individual development opportunities.

Player Focus

• Technical consistency at speed and under pressure
• Position-specific development
• Tactical understanding in all four moments
• Game awareness and decision-making
• Physical preparation through growth and maturation
• Healthy training and recovery habits
• Confidence and emotional control
• Accountability and leadership
• Greater ownership of individual development

U17 — ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG PARTICIPATION

Birth Years: 2010–2011
LTPD Stage: Train to Train and transition toward advanced or lifelong participation

Program Options

• Prairie Fire Club
• Prairie Fire Performance
• Prairie Fire Academy
• External advanced opportunities where appropriate

Club

Meaningful regional competition for players who want to continue playing while balancing soccer with school, employment, other sports and personal commitments.

Performance

High-commitment training and competition in a development-driven environment. Teams may participate in structured league play, tournaments and 11-a-side Provincial competitions.

Prairie Fire FC intends to form one U17 Performance team where registration numbers and player readiness support it. Evaluations will be led by the Technical Director and coaching staff.

Players not selected for Performance will be offered a place in the Club program.

Academy

Additional technical, tactical, goalkeeper, position-specific, small-group and individual development opportunities.

Player Focus

• Consistent technical execution under pressure
• Position-specific performance
• Tactical awareness and adaptability
• Game management
• Physical readiness and match fitness
• Injury-aware training and recovery
• Confidence and resilience
• Leadership and communication
• Accountability and professionalism
• Preparation for adult and lifelong soccer

Prairie Fire FC supports different futures at U17, including competitive adult soccer, recreational soccer, post-secondary opportunities, coaching, refereeing and volunteering.

Understanding the Four Programs

Key Pathway Principles

Development Before Labels

Players are not defined permanently as Club or Performance players. Interest, confidence, maturity and commitment can change over time.

Movement Is Supported

Players may move between Club and Performance when appropriate. Choosing Club does not close the door to Performance, and choosing Performance does not guarantee a permanent place in that program.

Every Pathway Has Value

Performance is not the only successful pathway. Club players are equally important members of Prairie Fire FC and receive meaningful opportunities to learn, compete and belong.

Academy Supports the Individual

Academy allows players to work on specific needs outside regular team programming. It supports development without replacing the importance of team training and games.

Players Develop at Different Rates

Players move through developmental stages based on more than age. Coaches consider physical, technical, tactical, psychological and social readiness.

Growth and Maturation Matter

Current size, speed and strength are not complete measures of long-term potential. Prairie Fire FC works to support both early- and late-developing players.

Appropriate Movement Between Age Groups

Players may occasionally be invited to train or play with an older age group when it provides a meaningful developmental opportunity.

These decisions will consider:

• The player’s technical and tactical readiness
• Physical and emotional safety
• Social readiness
• The needs of both teams
• The player’s long-term development
• Canada Soccer and Saskatchewan Soccer rules

Playing in an older age group is a development decision—not a status symbol or permanent promotion.

Development Over Short-Term Results

Winning and competition matter, especially within Performance programming, but they do not come before learning, player welfare or long-term growth.

One Connected Club

Foundations, Club, Performance and Academy are not separate organizations. They are connected parts of one Prairie Fire FC pathway.

Every player wears the same crest, belongs to the same club and matters to the same family.

One Club. One Pathway. Every Player.

Prairie Fire FC provides a place to begin, a place to grow and a pathway to pursue individual goals.

Some players will seek advanced competition. Others will play for friendship, fitness and a lifelong connection to the game. Both journeys matter.

More than soccer—we build players, people and community.