By Ottawa Sports Pages, for Atlético Ottawa Juniors
It’s not all about the crest.
Members of the club formerly known as Ottawa TFC and Cumberland/Capital United are rightfully excited about soon wearing the colours of Canadian Premier League-champion Atlético Ottawa and parent club Atlético de Madrid, but the enthusiasm for the club’s freshly-unveiled Atlético Ottawa Juniors name runs deeper than the brand.
“I believe this could be something that really changes the scene and really changes both the pro side and the youth side of soccer in Ottawa,” highlights Atlético Ottawa Juniors General Manager Pavel Cancura. “It’s a great time for us to grow together. We’re really excited about it.”
The launch of Atlético Ottawa’s first formally-affiliated youth club drew a full house to the Orleans Dome during the holidays.
The announcement was the product of many hours and meetings between the pro and youth clubs to ensure both sides had congruous values, visions and objectives.
The youth club’s agreement with Toronto FC was up for renewal at the end of 2025, and while theirs was a valued affiliation for seven years, local leaders were keen to explore if it was still the only/best possible partnership, particularly when it came to local players at the top of the development pyramid.
“We’re consistently creating great teams and graduating great youth, so what role are we going to play in that final piece, beyond the club on the pro pathway?” Cancura remembers the youth club asking itself.
A key objective for AOJ will be to develop a reserve program for Atlético Ottawa’s first team, alongside a girls’ squad of a similar level, with an eye on one day creating a funded academy where players on the pro pathway will no longer have to pay to play.
“The whole intention is trying to build out that tier for youth that doesn’t exist currently,” Cancura indicates. “You have your OPDL and your high-performance pathway, but then nothing beyond that. We all know there is one step beyond that, there’s a pro academy level where you’re not quite pro yet, but you’re starting to pull the best of the best together.”
Another attraction was the practicality of a local partner. A big benefit was illustrated last Friday afternoon when the entire Atlético Ottawa squad dropped in for a fun skills competition during an AOJ Sport-Études training session at École secondaire catholique Garneau (which has trials coming up on Jan. 22).
“It’s special when you see the kids and the professional players interacting,” signals Atlético Ottawa Chief Strategy Officer Ron Palaczka. “And when you see a guy like Gabe Tardif that was playing in this club, who is now with the first team, it shows that it’s possible.”
Palaczka, who joined Atlético Ottawa this past summer, has been involved in local soccer for 35 years, dating back to the time AOJ’s root clubs at Cumberland and FC Capital United’s were formed.
“It’s been amazing to see their growth,” Palaczka indicates. “Their club has gone from being a relatively small community club to now a national-licensed club, competing at multiple levels, they’re now recognized as one of the top OPDL clubs in the province.
“For us, being connected with a club like this is an absolute no-brainer.”
Cancura notes there will be valuable opportunities to learn from Atlético de Madrid and collaborate on player and coach development methodology, but having deep-rooted local leadership at Atlético Ottawa was an essential ingredient in the partnership.
“This is our home, our kids, our community, our families,” he explains. “To me, it meant a lot that they’ve immediately hired a local community connection and emboldened it and trusted it and empowered it.”
Atlético de San Luis Femenil coach visits Ottawa for women’s combine
Staying true to its core philosophies, the youth club wanted to ensure that its female players would also benefit from the new partnership. Right off the bat, coach Valeriana Cornejo flew up to Ottawa from Atlético de Madrid’s affiliate club in San Luis, Mexico (which has both women’s and men’s teams) to participate in a combine for alumni, AOJ senior girls and players from other clubs.
“Considering that’s a first step, a first event, that’s very, very encouraging,” reflects Cancura, noting that the event spurred conversations about how to make it possible for local players to train in Mexico, and that Ottawa players could advance into San Luis or Atlético de Madrid Femenino youth academies in the future as well.
“There is at least an opportunity for top tier talent to move into the pro pathway. That alone moves the bar,” adds Cancura. “Here, the intent is anything that we’re building for the boys, we’re building for the girls as well.”
‘Exciting next step in our evolution’ alongside CPL champs
While the name has changed, the tremendous club culture and traditions built over many years hasn’t suddenly evaporated.
“We understand that we are more than just a shirt. The crest doesn’t make or break you,” Cancura underlines. “This is the next step in our evolution and we’re really excited about it.”
Nevertheless, there is an undeniable electricity among players, their parents, coaches and staff knowing they’ll soon be wearing the kits of the CPL champions, who were crowned unforgettably amid a November blizzard.
Cancura and other club leaders got to watch the championship game from a heated area at TD Place, which perhaps wasn’t quite as rowdy as the supporters’ section, but that all changed with David Rodriguez’s famous icicle kick goal.
“You can’t help but just go berserk about that,” Cancura smiles. “If you love this sport, that was just such a great goal. That game was so much fun. Really cool moment.”
There will be plenty of perks for AOJ families, such as discounted ticket offers for Atlético Ottawa games and getting to participate in on-field halftime activities. Some of the club’s renowned game of the week matches will likely be hosted at TD Place before Atlético Ottawa contests, providing an additional showcase for youth soccer, not to mention the chance to catch the attention of scouts.
Beyond aspiring players, AOJ staff and coaches have “a twinkle in their eye too” knowing that there could be eyes on their work from the pro club, Cancura details, explaining that the partnership elevates “everybody’s vision and potential, and therefore performance.”
“There’s a lot I like about [the new association],” he adds. “I like that it’s local. If you’re dreaming of entering the pro scene, the CPL is approachable.
“I also like that it’s Atlético de Madrid – one of the biggest brands and biggest powerhouses in the sport. You can dream as big as you can dream – Champions League, everything – and yet it’s right at your doorstep.”
Learn more at AtleticoOttawaJuniors.com.
