2025-2026
ONC Junior Program
Founded in 2017 as St. Anthony’s Baseball Academy, the Ottawa Nepean Canucks Baseball Club provides elite baseball development and competitive opportunities for youth athletes across Eastern Ontario
Ottawa's Premier Youth Development Program
The Ottawa Nepean Canucks trace their roots back to the Junior Ravens, a pilot project launched to test the viability of Ottawa travel baseball in 2017. In October 2018, the team was formally established as the St. Anthony Baseball Academy by George Rigakos and Andre Robidoux.
For five seasons St Anthony enjoyed remarkable success in developing players, securing tournament victories and league championships. It was widely considered the strongest youth baseball program for 10U-12U in Eastern Ontario. In 2023, St. Anthony briefly merged with the Ottawa Knights before that organization merged into Watson Elite. Finally, in July 2024, we adopted our current name and agreed to a partnership with the Ottawa Nepean Canadians. Under this partnership, our players now have the opportunity for a seamless transition into the CPBL with the Ottawa Nepean Canadians.
ONC Program
Fall Season
The Fall Season begins the first week of September and runs until Thanksgiving. All teams will train 2–3 times per week and participate in simulated intersquad games and internal assessments. Depending on team schedules and readiness, some teams may also compete in one tournament during the fall window.
Training sessions are dynamic and fast-paced, with players split into smaller position-based groups to maximize reps and engagement. Our focus remains on development—working hard every day to improve. Simulated games will target all facets of play: innings for pitchers, at-bats for hitters, defensive reps, and in-game scenarios.
Off-Season Training
Off-season training starts in January and runs for 17 weeks. Each team will train twice a week, combining weekly sessions at ONC Labs with a second organizational session indoors (location to be determined).
Workouts will focus on skill development, open hitting and pitching, fielding, and strength and conditioning. Athletes will receive dedicated positional instruction and game-rep scenarios to prepare for the upcoming season. With strong planning and a fast-paced environment, players will make significant strides in their development during this critical training window.
League Play (ENYTB / CanAm)
League play begins in April and continues through early August. Canucks teams compete in both the Eastern New York Travel Baseball (ENYTB) and CanAm leagues, offering a highly competitive schedule balanced with development-focused training.
These leagues expose players to a wide variety of opponents, helping develop adaptability, teamwork, and game IQ. Travel expenses—including accommodations, meals, and transportation—are the responsibility of each player’s family.
Tournaments
From May to late July, teams will participate in multiple tournaments across Canada and the U.S. These events provide valuable experience competing against strong teams from different regions and help players build confidence in high-pressure environments.
Tournaments are selected to support player development and give athletes a chance to test their skills against top-level competition. These events lay the foundation for future opportunities by exposing players to elite-level baseball early in their development.
As with league play, travel costs for players and families—including hotels, meals, and transportation—are not covered by the program.
In-Depth Player Assessment
As part of the ONC Elite experience, all players will undergo a professional-grade Player Assessment using FieldPro AI, our custom-built performance tracking software. Assessments are conducted at ONC Labs, using cutting-edge technology like Trackman, Rapsodo, and HitTrax to capture detailed data on pitching and hitting mechanics.
Each player receives a personalized performance profile, including:
- Pitch velocity, spin rate, and movement metrics
- Hitting exit velocity, launch angle, and contact zone analysis
- Multi-angle video review
- Benchmark comparisons by age/level
- Key development areas and training priorities
This data-driven approach allows our coaching staff to create customized development plans and monitor progress throughout the year. Players also have the ability to control privacy settings and make their profiles public for sharing with coaches and family.
Developing Youth Athletes
Commitment
We encourage multi-sport participation, asking players to communicate with coaches when absent from team activities. However, players should prioritize Ottawa Nepean Canucks commitments during league play and tournament season.
Personal Development
Participation in sports is crucial for youth well-being, both physically and mentally. Whether continuing in baseball or moving on to other pursuits, the Ottawa Nepean Canucks provide an elite experience that prepares athletes for the future, helping them build resilience and community spirit.
Fees are paid in four instalments, with initial payment due on acceptance:
- Initial Deposit: $1062.50
- Due October 30th, 2024: $1062.50
- Due January 10th, 2024: $1062.50
- Due April 1, 2025: $1062.50
/player
Program includes:
- Fall Training & Player Assessment
- Indoor Winter Development
- League Play (ENYTB/CanAm)
- Three Tournaments
- 40-45 Game Season
- Mizuno Player Kit