(September 10, 2019) With Canada Soccer’s introduction of the National Youth Club license and the launch of the Alberta Youth Soccer League (AYSL) in the Spring of 2020, Alberta Soccer is making adjustments to its Provincial Training Program.

Starting this Fall, both the U13 and U14 Provincial Team Programs will be put on hiatus. Instead of the regularly scheduled training sessions the Provincial Training Program has held in the past, Alberta Soccer aims to host 2-3 player identification events throughout the year.  These events will showcase identified U14 players to professional clubs and Canada Soccer youth and senior team EXCEL staff.  This development will help broaden the base of players who will participate in Alberta Soccer Programming, as well as expose more players to decision-makers in the sport who can help them continue along their developmental pathway.

“The soccer landscape in Canada is changing at an extraordinary pace,” says Franc Cioffi, Alberta Soccer Technical Director.  “With the implementation of the CPL and its two Alberta franchises, Canada Soccer’s introduction of Club Licensing, and the on-going evolution of the Canada Soccer men’s and women’s EXCEL programs, player pathways are becoming more defined. Alberta Soccer programming needs to evolve with these changes to help facilitate the work of local, national and professional stakeholders who identify and advance players along the player pathway, rather than perform the hands-on work of player development.  Although change is sometimes difficult, the positive adjustments to Alberta soccer programming will provide benefits to a greater number of Alberta players.”

Alberta Soccer will communicate new developments to the evolving Provincial Training Program as they are identified and welcomes feedback regarding how it can best support the advancement of more Alberta players.

All questions regarding this can be emailed to Franc Cioffi, Alberta Soccer Technical Director – click here to email