TFC’s post-COVID rebuild continues to press forward

The Tillsonburg U15 girls hosted London Dinamo Monday, Aug. 11 at the Tillsonburg Soccer Park. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The Tillsonburg Football Club’s (TFC) post-COVID rebuild continues to press forward.

“We’re seeing a lot of success on the field and our numbers of teams are increasing too,” said TFC Club Head Coach/Technical Director John Twinem. “It’s looking good all around.”

This year, TFC fielded competitive teams at the boys’ U8, U9, U11, U12, U14 and U17 age divisions, along with U9, U10 and U15 girls’ squads, with two at the U12 level.

“Next year, we’re looking to add another team at the bottom of the age groups,” said Twinem of an effort to continue building from there on up. “We’re working grass roots and seeing good things happening.”

Integrating with the community’s house league soccer program has provided two-way benefits says Twinem. Beyond offering a wide talent development pool for TFC, the association offers flexible roster depth for competitive squads and opportunities to ‘play up’ for affiliated house league players.

TFC’s broader commitment to player development is two-fold, beginning with a cadre of coaches with experience in the sport’s higher levels, including former professional players. TFC has also brought in Jose ‘Garrincha’ Figueredo, a supplemental skills and technical development expert who continues with work with women’s national team captain Jessie Fleming. ‘Garrincha’ supports TFC coaches, working with each team within the organization.

“We want to bring in that extra level of opportunity for our players,” said Twinem, emphasizing an effort to build individual skills.

“And then help players understand how to work in a team concept.”

TFC squads play within the Elgin-Middlesex District Soccer League, travelling to centres including Ingersoll, Woodstock, London, St. Thomas, Chatham and Sarnia. Younger age groups compete in what are termed league festivals says Twinem, an opportunity to measure progress without over-emphasizing wins and losses at an early age.

Standings are kept for the older age groups, with promotion and relegation between Tier I, II and III loops.

Twinem credits a strong commitment from volunteers throughout the organization for moving its agenda forward, providing a program ‘of tremendous quality’ that remains financially accessible.

“We’re trying to give players a high-level experience and maintain affordability.”

Twinem identified the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), essentially a high-performance training opportunity, as a longer-term goal for TFC. The OPDL has male and female teams in the U13, U14, U15 and U17 age groups, which says Twinem, enter through an early-season qualification process.

“It’s that next level,” he said. “That’s ultimately where we hope our teams get to.”

Admittedly, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted significant TFC progress and momentum, however continued hard work has reversed that unfortunate tide.

“It’s kind of picked back up since 2023,” said Twinem. “We’re really starting to pick up steam.

“We are really happy with the steps forward we are making.”