Over 80 highly skilled Alberta players have been chosen to take part in the FC Edmonton REX, Alberta South REX, and the Whitecaps Boys Academy for the 2017-18 program.

“Alberta Soccer is very pleased with the standard of the players that have been selected to participate in the FC Edmonton REX, Alberta South REX and Whitecaps Boys Academy programming this year. The outstanding partnerships that we have forged with Canada Soccer, FC Edmonton and the Vancouver Whitecaps have allowed players of potential to be identified and placed into an environment that will put them front and centre with decision makers in the upper echelons of Canada Soccer,” said Shaun Lowther, Alberta Soccer Technical Director. “Historically, Alberta has produced players who have represented the country at all levels and I believe this current crop of young players will see a number of athletes afforded the opportunity to compete for inclusion in National Team projects or Professional team environments in years to come.”

This fall marks the first year for the Whitecaps FC Alberta South Academy Centre, with head coach Ricky King leading the group. Here’s what King had to say about the upcoming season and program:

“The Whitecaps and REX programs here in Alberta will allow the players to start on the pathway into the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program on the boys side or youth national teams on the girls side. To help with such a transition up the pathway, both programs have been set up utilizing the Whitecaps/CSA Philosophy and Methodology.

 

We believe that we have to work on more than just the technical and tactical side of the game, as such, we have set up additional opportunities to work on other areas of player development such as, self-assessment, goal setting and college transition. As well as this, the sport science staff at both the Whitecaps and CSA are working with the Athlete Factory to provide the players with specific Strength and Conditioning programs to help develop their physical needs based on the game models of both the Whitecaps and CSA national teams.

 

If you take all of this into account along with the quality of players and staff we have been able to assemble, we believe that this program will enable the players to fulfil their true potential. “

Similar Academies already exist in most provinces across the country, and Alberta Soccer is thrilled to be participating in this network.

The players selected to participate are:

Follow along with the groups on Twitter: @WFCAlberta | @FCEdmontonREX