Niagara Falls Soccer Club

NIAGARA FALLS SC - NIAGARA FC OPDL 2025/2026 Open Trials Registration Form

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Welcome

WELCOME TO THE NFSC - NIAGARA FC OPDL OPEN TRIALS REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE 2026 OPDL SEASON!

This registration session will allow you to submit contact information, make payment, and sign up for participation for the 2025/2026 NIAGARA FC OPDL Open Trials in all phases will be for the following teams for both Full-Time and Development Player positions;

U13 2013 Boys and Girls
U14 2012 Boys and Girls
U15 2011 Boys and Girls
U16 2010 Boys and Girls
U17 2009 Boys and Girls

 

See below for the explanation of the different Phases of OPDL Trials as put forth by Ontario Soccer and the OPDL (Ontario Player Development League)

OPDL Players coming to trial from other OPDL Licence holders outside Niagara FC teams will need to supply a completed and signed OPDL Trial Permission Form (please see form below).  

Note:  Any player that participated in a league or is coming from a Club outside of Canada must commence the International Transfer Certification - ITC process.

There is a $55.00 non-refundable fee for Trials. Trial Forms/Registration must be done at a minimum, a day in advance, online, and submitted prior to attending your session so that Coaches can prepare for the numbers of players accordingly.

"Walk-on" evaluations will not be permitted. 

Please have your Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Visa Debit ready.

 

Please read below and through each page carefully to ensure that all information is provided accurately. 

 

Thank you for your 2025-2026 OPDL Trials form submission and GOOD LUCK!

 

Continue to the next page via the "CONTINUE" button at the bottom of this page.

 

Trial dates will be released shortly please visit our OPDL Trials page on our website for updates!

OPDL TRIAL PERMISSION FORM - For use if player is coming from another OPDL Licence Holder (Current OPDL Players ONLY)

OPDL Players shall use this form when requesting permission from their current OPDL License Holder to attend trials with a new Licence Holder during “Phase II”.  Players must bring this form with them to the first trial.

The form shall be submitted in writing to the current Licence Holder Technical Director and response shall be received within 72 hours. 

NEW INCOMING U13 AGE GROUP (Born 2013)

Objective:  Identify incoming players born in 2013 outside of OPDL environments

Activity:  Open Sessions

Period:  August 27th, 2025 to April 4th, 2026

Phase I – Players outside the Talented Player Pathway only

Objective: Identify players outside OPDL environments

Activity: Open Trials and Invitation Only Trials

Period: September 2nd to October 20th, 2025

Phase II – Players within the Talented Player Pathway

Objective: Select Full-Time Players - Finalize minimum 14 rosters February 22nd

Activity: Open Trials and Invitation Only Trials

Period: October 21st to February 22nd, 2026

Phase III – Any Player

Objective: Identify players inside & outside OPDL environments for remaining spots

Activity: Open Trials and Invitation Only Trials

Period: February 23rd, 2026 to April 4th, 2026

What is an OPEN TRIAL

An open trial is open to players who desire an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to participate within an OPDL Licence Holder and is of the appropriate age for registration and gender for the team’s designation.  

Current OPDL Players are eligible to participate in Trials during Phase II and III.

A player must have the opportunity to attend a minimum of three Open Trials before a final decision is made on that player.

Players may attend more than one open trial simultaneously with different OPDL Licence Holders.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ to ensure your players success

  • Players are asked to wear a White Jersey or t-shirt and must come prepared, wearing appropriate footwear, clothing, as well as shin guards to all sessions.
  • Players must bring their own properly inflated ball - Size 5.
  • No Jewelry will be allowed to be worn on the field at any time.

OPDL Team Positions Available

OPDL Full-Time Player

Full-Time OPDL players are committed, year-round athletes competing at the highest level of development within Ontario Soccer. Players must be registered with the league (14–20 per team) and are committed to their team for the full season (11 months) as outlined in their Player Commitment Letter.

They are expected to:

  • Attend all games, training sessions, and team events
  • Prioritize OPDL over other sports during the OPDL season
  • Be registered in theopdl.com to be eligible
  • Full Time players are considered committed to the OPDL Licence Holder until the conclusion of the OPDL Season as defined in the Player Commitment Letter.
  • Always be included in match day rosters

Led by top-level Nationally certified coaches, full-time players benefit from high-performance training, wellness support, and leadership development.

OPDL Developmental Player

A Developmental Player (DP) trains regularly with an OPDL team but plays primarily with a regional or competitive team under the same Licence Holder or an approved OPDL Player Movement Agreement affiliated Club. This position is ideal for high-potential athletes not yet ready to fully commit to full-time OPDL demands.

They are expected to:

  • Train anywhere from 1-3 times/week with the OPDL team while attending training and playing regular minutes with their competitive team.
  • Participate in up to six (6) OPDL games per season (three for U12 players)
  • Be selected for OPDL matches based on team needs and technical staff evaluation
  • Sign an OPDL Developmental Player Commitment Letter
  • Follow all OPDL policies and procedures during games, training, and events

Developmental Players cannot participate in OPDL Cup, playoffs, or the Gary Miller Charity Shield, and are not eligible for "Playing Up" permits.

A Developmental Player may possibly be moved to full-time status once per season, following an evaluation conducted in consultation with Ontario Soccer Technical Staff. Once promoted, the player cannot return to Developmental Player status.

Note: One Developmental Goalkeeper may be permitted if a team has only one full-time goalkeeper.

Questions

Please direct questions to:

Paul O'Rourke

Paul O'Rourke

Niagara Falls Soccer Club - NIAGARA FC Executive Director - Technical Lead

Christina Stranges

Christina Stranges

NFSC - NIAGARA FC OPDL Lead Administrator

Phone: 905 374 4040