Team Ontario Men’s Tackle
THE ROADMAP
Road to Team Ontario
Becoming a Team Ontario tackle athlete happens in five phases, from an open identification camp to representing Ontario at the national level.
PHASE 1
Identification Camps
January: Waterloo, Toronto
February: Ottawa, Sudbury
- Skills and drills to evaluate prospective Team Ontario tackle student-athletes.
- Each camp includes combine testing, plus on-field individual and compete periods.
PHASE 2
Development Camp
April: University of Guelph
- For the top 250 student-athletes per age group, identified and invited from the Phase 1 ID camps.
- 6–8 hours of skills and development, both on-field and in classroom meetings.
PHASE 3
Top 90 Red/Black Weekend
May: Queen’s University
- Saturday: early morning check-in, two on-field practices and multiple in-class meetings.
- Sunday: Team Red vs. Team Black intra-squad game.
PHASES 4 & 5
U16 Eastern Challenge & U18 Canada Cup
June–July: Bishop’s University (Sherbrooke, QC)
- Final roster of up to 40 athletes plus 14 reserves.
- National-level competition against other provincial football teams.
BETWEEN PHASES 1 & 2: the Virtual High-Performance Academy gives athletes online meetings, resources and access to experts to support their development off the field.
PHASE 1
Identification Camps
Identification (ID) camps are the open entry point to the Team Ontario tackle program. Prospective student-athletes register for one camp and are evaluated by Team Ontario coaches.
What to expect
- Skills and drills to evaluate prospective Team Ontario tackle student-athletes.
- Combine testing, plus on-field individual and compete periods.
- Each age group has a 120–165 minute block of field time.
- Includes a Team Ontario ID camp shirt and access to virtual High-Performance Fundamentals sessions.
Camp locations
- Waterloo – University of Waterloo Field House
- Toronto – University of Toronto, Varsity Stadium
- Ottawa – Carleton University Fieldhouse
- Sudbury – Lancer Dome
How to register
- Register for one camp on TeamLinkt.
- Complete the waiver and health form in the registration link.
- Bring a shirt, shorts, cleats and a mouthguard.
BETWEEN PHASES 1 & 2
Virtual High-Performance Academy
Between Phase 1 and Phase 2, athletes take part in our Virtual High-Performance Academy: online meetings, resources and access to experts in the space to support their development off the field.
Online meetings
Live virtual sessions with Team Ontario coaches and staff.
Resources
Tools and materials athletes can use to prepare for the next phase of the pathway.
Expert speakers
Sessions led by experts on the off-field side of high-performance sport.
Past speakers
Past speaker profiles and session recordings coming soon.
PHASE 2
Development Camp
The top student-athletes from the Phase 1 ID camps are invited to a full day of development at the University of Guelph.
About the camp
- For the top 250 student-athletes per age group, identified and invited from the Phase 1 ID camps.
- Each student-athlete is invited to one camp only.
- 6–8 hours of skills and development, both on-field and in classroom meetings.
- Coaches lead drills, install systems, evaluate players over the day and assess coachability.
Location
University of Guelph, Alumni Stadium
What’s included
- Team Ontario hoodie and shorts, and a practice jersey.
- Access to the Virtual High-Performance Academy sessions.
Important tasks
- Register on TeamLinkt.
- Book accommodations, if needed.
GALLERY
Phase 1 & 2 Photos
Identification Camps
Photos coming soon.
Development Camp
Photos coming soon.
PHASE 3
Top 90 Red/Black Weekend
The top 90 athletes come together at Queen’s University for a weekend of practices, meetings and an intra-squad game.
The weekend
- Saturday: early morning check-in, two on-field practices and multiple in-class meetings.
- Sunday: Team Red vs. Team Black intra-squad game.
- Maximum of 90 athletes.
What’s included
- Team Ontario backpack and three meals.
- One night of accommodation in residence (U16 and U18).
Important tasks
- Register on TeamLinkt.
Thank you to our Red/Black Weekend partners
Red/Black Weekend award winners
Men’s Tackle
Women’s Development Camp
Interviews from the weekend
INTERVIEW
Head Coaches
Team Ontario’s U16 and U18 coaches on the Red/Black Weekend experience and preparing for national competition.
INTERVIEW
Queen’s University
Queen’s Football Head Coach Steve Snyder on the value of Red/Black Weekend for athletes, coaches and the host university.
INTERVIEW
JT Tsui
Director of Culture and Sport, Football Ontario
On the growth of Red/Black Weekend since 2022 and showcasing the province’s top tackle talent.
PHASES 4 & 5
U16 Eastern Challenge & U18 Canada Cup
The final Team Ontario rosters represent the province in national-level competition against other provincial football teams. In 2027, both events will be held at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, QC.
The final roster
- Maximum of 40 athletes plus 14 reserves.
- A training camp, followed by the national tournament.
- Game time for the final game depends on results from earlier games, so travel home is scheduled for the day after the medal games.
What’s included
- Return travel from training camp to the tournament.
- Overnight accommodations and meals.
- Under Armour Team Ontario track jacket and shorts.
- Sponsorship and fundraising tools for every Team Ontario family.
Important tasks
- Register for the final roster on TeamLinkt.
Questions about the Team Ontario tackle pathway? Contact Football Ontario’s Director of Sport, JT Tsui, at jtsui@footballontario.net.
STAFF & ROSTERS
Team Ontario Men’s Tackle Rosters
Coaching staff and athletes are listed in each roster announcement. For every roster on record, see Team Ontario History.
2026 SEASON
Current Rosters
2025 SEASON
Previous Rosters
PHASE 5 · NATIONALS
Football Canada Cup
Established in 1995, the Football Canada Cup (FCC) is the premier pre-university football tournament in Canada, which annually showcases the top Under-18 football players from across the country.