Imagine a central hub for all things Canadian soccer. A complex that could be a centralized venue for players, coaches and referees to train, learn and grow. A multi-use stadium at its apex, a world-class facility with the ability to host international matches, domestic finals and maybe even a home for York United FC of the Canadian Premier League or a Northern Super League team that fits the bill (hello AFC Toronto!). And it could even host concerts and other events that a municipality can lure in.
That complex is coming with finalized plans set for 2025 and shovels in the ground by 2026.
Of course, this is not news. The promise of a national training centre was at the top of Canada Soccer president Peter Augruso’s mandate when running for the job last year, with ambitious plans for such a venue at Woodbine in Toronto reported on as far back as 2022.
However, with the recent Canadian soccer news cycle being dominated by drones, labour issues and coach firings and resignations, it is important to remember that work on other, more positive projects has certainly not fallen by the wayside. Indeed, it is still very much on the front burner.
What has been determined is that the Greater Toronto Area will house the project. That decision may upset some on the East and West coasts, but the geography simply makes too much sense when you consider travel time from Europe and the proximity to the country’s main business hub. There was only ever going to be one fit for a location, but the question remains: which municipality in the GTA will land the rights?
How to finance such a project is of course yet to be determined, but Canada Soccer is not necessarily counting on the private sector. FIFA sponsorship appears to be the driving force, with World Cup legacy funding a contributing factor. What exactly this looks like remains to be seen, but the potential of tens of millions of dollars kick-starting the new centre is expected.
A national training centre appears to no longer be a pipe dream. It is very much in the works, and it is critical in the development of the sport in Canada.
HERDMAN BEATS CSA TO THE PUNCH
While John Herdman’s resignation as Toronto FC head coach last Friday came as little surprise, it could be considered a missed opportunity for Canada Soccer. The new CSA leadership is desperate to separate itself from previous iterations and suspending Herdman before he had a chance to step away on his terms would have been ideal — optically, at least. That said, disciplinary action is still being considered and a nation-wide sanction is likely still on the table.
There is a hope that the Olympic drone saga will be wrapped up over the next two weeks or so. When all is said and done, it is expected more individuals will be implicated, and it could result in others losing their jobs as well.
LABOUR UPDATE
Negotiations to finalize the collective bargaining agreement between players and the association continue and are reaching a conclusion. It appears a re-worked deal between Canada Soccer Business and Canada Soccer is all that remains to be completed. While CSB maintains its strategy of “no comment,” concessions have been made and it does appear that an improved deal is close at hand.
Looking ahead to 2025, let’s hope the focus for Canadian soccer is back on the pitch rather than the boardroom … if for nothing else, my sanity!
