VANCOUVER, BC – After announcing a new Northern Academy Centre in March in partnership with Prince George Youth Soccer (PGYSA), Vancouver Whitecaps FC are now set to offer the first series of development programs this summer in Prince George, including a Skills Camps for all levels, a Prospects Camp for advanced/motivated players, and an abbreviated summer Prospects Academy that will act as a selection tool for a full academy launch in September.
“Since our Academy Centre announcement in March we’ve been working closely with our Whitecaps FC regional head coach Sonny Pawar, and our club partner PGYSA, on the development of the right programs for Prince George and Northern BC,” said Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC director of soccer development. “One of our goals was to work with PGYSA to help grow soccer in the North and we believe that our summer program and full academy launch in September will start us off on the right foot”.
“Our summer program will provide a taste of Whitecaps FC programming and an opportunity for players of all levels to take part as we get set for the official Academy program launch in the Fall,” said Whitecaps FC regional head coach Sonny Pawar.
“PGYSA are ready to work with Whitecaps FC on this partnership, and we’re looking forward to energizing soccer in the North to an even greater level,” added Steve Raper, PGYSA projects director. “Whitecaps FC programs are now part of our club development structure, and we fully support them. We also welcome participation from players from all over Northern BC as we work towards providing more opportunities for local youth soccer players.”
This summer’s Whitecaps FC programs will provide three separate opportunities for players of all levels. A Prospects Camp will kick off summer programming and will run from July 9 to July 12. Motivated and advanced boys and girls U-10 to U-18 will take part in the four day camp which will include 90-minute session daily. This camp will be led by Whitecaps FC Pre-Residency and Academy Centre head coach Bart Choufour and provides an evaluation opportunity for selection to the invite only Prospects Summer Academy. The Academy will be for advanced players and will run from July 15 to 31 and will include eight 90-minute sessions. This program will be led by Whitecaps FC regional head coach Sonny Pawar with visits from Whitecaps FC Residency head coach Gordon Forrest. This is an invitation only program from the Prospects camp or directly from Sonny Pawar.
Both the summer’s Prospect Camp and Prospects Academy will act as a selection tool for the invite only Northern Prospects Academy program set to launch in September.
Lastly, a Whitecaps FC Skills Camps will take place the weekend of July 27 and 28. Boys and Girls U-7 to U-14 of all skill levels will enjoy a three-hour session on both the Saturday and Sunday. The Skills Camp will be led by former Whitecaps FC and Canadian national team captain Sam Lenarduzzi and will include a visit from Whitecaps FC legend and club ambassador Carl Valentine and a Whitecaps FC MLS player.
All the programs will take place at the Prince George Youth Soccer Fields and include an official Whitecaps FC t-shirt, poster, and more.
Registration is now open but space is limited. For more information and registration for the Skills and Prospects Camps visit www.whitecapsfc.com/camps or call Toll Free: 1.855.932.1932 or locally contact Sonny Pawar at spawar@whitecapsfc.com
Media inquiries:
Local - Sonny Pawar – 250.649.5856
Vancouver - Sam Lenarduzzi – 778.928.0453
