Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the tentative weekend schedule for the first annual Whitecaps West Coast College Showcase at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey, BC, on March 6 to 8.
"The Whitecaps West Coast College Showcase is much more than a tournament," said Washington State-based 'Showcase of Champions' president and Whitecaps alumni Greg Ion. "Beyond the tournament-style competition - the classroom sessions, information for players and parents, player college bound workbook, and coaches workbook profiling every team and athlete - set this event apart from a tournament-style event, while it also provides a valuable investment in a families' future post-secondary plans."
The opening day will include daytime Showcase games #1 followed by a Showcase opening night of presentations for the players, parents, and coaches.
Opening night presentations are still to be confirmed, but will include:
- What a college coach looks for in a student athlete
- Expectations of a freshman student athlete
- Opportunities for Canadian players in college and beyond
- Understanding the scholarship opportunities in the United States
- A player’s perspective from youth to college
- Moving athletes from good to great
Day Two will see the second round of Showcase matches being played, including games #2 and #3. During the day, in between those games, there will be a series of Showcase presentations for players, coaches, and parents. These will include:
Freshman (Grade 9) players and parents
Topic 1: Understanding NCAA I, II, III, NAIA, and Canadian college affiliations
Topic 2: The four-year guidelines - from youth to college
Sophomores (Grade 10) players and parents
Topic 1: Making Contact with the College Coach (rules, timelines, marketing)
Topic 2: Players - Goal-setting - How to take my game to the next level
Topic 3: Parents - College Admission - What is my responsibility?
Juniors and Seniors (Grades 11 & 12) player and parents
Topic 1: Narrowing down my college choice - finding the school that is right for me
Topic 2: Players - SAT/ACT college admission requirements
Topic 3: Parents - The costs of college and college scholarships
The Showcase concludes on Day Three with final matches.
With support from the Washington State-based 'Showcase of Champions', the invitation-only Whitecaps West Coast College Showcase provides U-15 to U-18 players from across Western Canada a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talents to college and university coaches and scouts. The Showcase will combine high-level competition, college search workshops, and guest speakers from around North America.
For more information on the Whitecaps West Coast College Showcase, CLICK HERE or contact Chris Murphy at cmurphy@whitecapsfc.com or by phone at 778.866.0977.
