We at Victoria are very pleased to announce the launching of the Victoria Academy.

The Academy will get its official launch in November 2011 as we start our winter program, but we will be running some aspects of it this summer.  Once in full swing we will be running two sections for the Academy: May-July then again from November-April.

This Academy will be staffed by licensed coaches, most of which holding their National B License.  Adhering to the Canadian Soccer Associations Long Term Player Development model as outlined in the Wellness to World Cup program, our Academy will strive to deliver age appropriate player development.  Concentrating on individual player technical development, players in the Academy can expect to learn and master the technical skills required to play this game at the highest level.  As players progress through the Academy, they can expect to learn to advance through the attacking and defending principles of play.  Concepts of full-team play will be taught consistently throughout the program whether that is small number combination play at the youngest ages to functional and phase of play sessions for the oldest players. 

As seen with the success of our current U-17 men's national team where the majority of the players have come from the academy systems of Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, and the Vancouver Whitecaps.  Further to that, 17 of the 20 players on that roster have been involved in our National Training Centers.  It will be the goal of the Academy to push players to achieve the highest they can and certainly we will measure our success by the number of players moving on to represent our province at the provincial and national levels.

This Academy will only be open to Victoria players and combined with the work of our team coaches, we expect to give our athletes every opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.  Further information will be available soon.

The Victoria technical department will be launching a complete program for player development.  Concerned with the technical and tactical development of every player in our club from the U10 Academy up to our senior programs, the Victoria Soccer Club is committed to delivering the most comprehensive technical program in our province.  There will be the introduction of a few new programming initiatives with our U10 Academy now running and our full Academy launching in November 2011.  Combined with the addition of keeper training and a finishing school, we feel that this club is now placed to lead player development in Alberta.

Running June-August, this summer will see the launching of the Victoria Finishing school.  While many coaches and players are comfortable moving and keeping the ball in the defending and middle thirds of the field, it is the attacking third that proves to be the most difficult.  This program will work with players on the technique of shooting and finishing plus teach players the types and patterns of movement that are necessary to find success in the most challenging part of the pitch.  This course will be ideal for strikers and midfield players.  Details to be released soon.