Inter Toronto FC is opening another door for young Canadian soccer players, launching a new round of OPL Pathway tryouts as the club looks to identify and develop the next generation of talent.
The Canadian Premier League club will hold the trials at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan, with players born in 2008 through 2011 eligible to participate.
The tryouts are designed to give young players an opportunity to showcase their abilities within Inter Toronto’s professional development environment and take another step toward the professional game.
Players will be divided into two groups based on birth year. Group 1, for players born in 2008 and 2009, will attend morning sessions, while Group 2, for players born in 2010 and 2011, will take part in the afternoon.
The scheduled trial dates are August 19, August 21, September 2 and September 3, with each participant taking part in two sessions.
Inter Toronto says the opportunity is open exclusively to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The club’s Pathway has already produced a notable example of what that development route can lead to in Chimaobim Onyeocha.
The 16-year-old Timmins, Ontario native progressed through Inter Toronto’s Pathway after initially attending open tryouts. He moved through Inter Toronto IV, III and II before earning opportunities to train with the first team and eventually signing a professional contract.
Onyeocha’s rapid rise reached another milestone in June when he made his CPL debut. He became the youngest player to appear for Inter Toronto in a Canadian Premier League match, making his debut at 16 years and 30 days old and breaking the club record previously held by Shola Jimoh.
His development has continued on the international stage, with Onyeocha receiving a call-up to the Canada U-16 national team.
His journey is now being held up as an example of the possibilities within Inter Toronto’s development system — from an open tryout to the OPL and ultimately the CPL.
For the next group of young players heading to Vaughan, the upcoming trials could provide the first step on a similar journey.
Inter Toronto’s latest Pathway initiative reinforces the club’s growing emphasis on identifying local talent and creating a pathway for Canadian players to progress into the professional game.