What is Long Term Player Development?

"Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is a progressive pathway of development that recognizes the distinct stages of physical, mental, cognitive and emotional development in child athletes. It addresses the needs of those who are able-bodied and those who have a disability, and it also addresses both early and late developers."  quoted from Canadian Sport for Life.

Eastside Youth Soccer Association follows, as closely as possible, the Long Term Player Development Model when planning our programs, activities and tournaments.  This means a higher practice to game ratio whenever possible, limiting the number of games and practices per week to an age appropriate number, limiting the length of competitive games, and putting an emphasis on fun and basic physical development at younger ages, and not focusing on winning and competitiveness until later.

The Long Term Player Development model (LTPD) is the Canadian Soccer Association's implementation of the Sport Canada Long Term Athlete Development model.  They are essentially the same, except that the CSA model is adapted for the sport of soccer.  You can find information on the program at the following link:

Canadian Soccer Association's Long Term Player Development Model