VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC RESIDENCY
Overview
• Identification as a prospect for a career opportunity in soccer
• Development as a professional prospect
• Placement as a professional player
“Integration of school, training and competition, with a connection to the Whitecaps Men's team and European opportunities, provides perfect conditions for professional development. Whitecaps Residency provides elite players with the opportunity to train in a professional environment unlike any other in North America”.
Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Soccer Culture in a World Class City
Vancouver is a world-class city known for its natural scenery and rich soccer history, including the Whitecaps North American Soccer League Championship in 1979.
Today, the Whitecaps are Western Canada's professional club including men's, women's and youth teams. In 2006, the Whitecaps men and women both won USL North American Championships.
The Whitecaps recently announced plans for a spectacular 15,000-seat soccer stadium on the downtown waterfront.
Development Gateway to a Professional Career in Soccer
The Whitecaps have now made a significant investment in a residency program to develop North America’s top youth players.
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC full-time Residency Program provides elite youth players with a development gateway to professional opportunities with the Whitecaps Men’s team and European clubs.
The Whitecaps Residency Program is an integral part of the Whitecaps club model.
The Men’s professional team is supported by the Residency Program, Pre Professional Prospects and teams, Junior Development programs and camps and regional and club development partnerships.
Professional Coaching
Players train daily under the guidance of Managing Director and head coach Thomas Niendorf.
Thomas Niendorf is a European coaching specialist who holds a DFB (German Soccer Federation)professional coaching license, and maintains an extensive network of contacts in Europe.
“Too often young players are not prepared for the challenges of a professional career. Through the Whitecaps professional club environment we can prepare these players mentally, physically and socially for a career in Europe or here with the Whitecaps”.
Thomas Niendorf - Director Whitecaps FC Residency
Proven Development Record
Some of the top players Thomas has placed in Europe include:
• Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich)
• Kevin McKenna (FC Energie Cottbus)
• Lars Hirschfield (FC Energie Cottbus)
• Nik Ledgerwood (1860 Munich)
• Tam Nsaliwa (FC Nuremberg)
Owen Hargreaves trained with Niendorf in Calgary before obtaining his trial with Bayern Munich. He played seven seasons with Bayern Munich before transferring to Manchester United and has gone on to represent England.
“Being a professional footballer demands discipline, preparation and the ability to take your opportunities when they present themselves. Thomas understands the professional football environment and how to develop the physical, mental and cultural qualities that are needed of a player to make the step to a professional.”
Owen Hargreaves - Manchester United, England National team
“Thomas gave me the opportunity that I needed in order to take the next steps in my goal of becoming a professional soccer player. It is imperative for the growth of soccer in our country that Canada's elite youth players are given the opportunity to be developed and recognized as prospects for a career in soccer. I believe the Whitecaps Residency program will provide that.”
Kevin McKenna - FC Energie Cottbus, Captain Canadian team
Professional Placement
Thomas Niendorf has strong ties to the European market for development relationships for Whitecaps player placement. An initial relationship has already been established with the German U19 Bundesliga.
The Whitecaps Residency program launch will include a three year development process (players sign 2+1 contracts) as follows:
1. Year: U17/U18 residency program in Vancouver.
2. Year: U19 German Bundesliga (apprentice arrangement)
3. Year: Professional team contract (mentorship)
• Players finish high school.
• Players receive proper preparation for Europe (integration with Men's team).
• Players placed according to abilities at appropriate club in Germany to secure playing time.
• Players receive first-class conditioning training while in Germany throughout playing season.
• Players are developed during two year transition period toward U20 National programs.
International Standards and Preparation
The Whitecaps Residency Program philosophy is designed to prepare players for the mental and physical demands of European professional environments. Key areas include:
• Individual training programs target areas of ability/deficiency using statistical/video analysis.
• Sports science support including conditioning, psychology, nutrition, and medical support.
• Age-specific training with emphasis on speed of play and performance criteria.
• Competitive environment including exhibition matches, tournaments, and overseas matches.
• Cultural training including language.
“We have a great deal of respect for the work of Thomas Niendorf in Canada and his history of providing talented young players for the European market. I have been working with Thomas over the past eight years and look forward to partnering with him here at Bayern Munich on the Whitecaps Residency program
Werner Kern - Head of Junior Team, Bayern Munich
Optimum Conditions for Player Development
The Whitecaps Residency Program is committed to cooperation and communication with Provincial and Canadian National team programs.
Each player's professional commitments, education, club, and national or provincial team responsibilities are carefully considered, and coordinated for optimal periodization.
“We want to provide young players in our club with an environment
where they can prosper as individual players, and contribute to the
success of the men's team.”
Bob Lilley, former Whitecaps men's Head Coach
"The Residency Program will provide a world-class development platform for the best U17 _U20 players that graduate from our BCSA provincial programs and will help prepare them for professional and/or national opportunities".
Bjorn Osieck, BCSA Executive Director
Professional Facilities and Education
Soccer training, education, and accommodations are all situated in Burnaby.
The Whitecaps Residency Program is based at the Whitecaps Training Centre at Simon Fraser University. Players have access to sports psychologists, nutritionists and conditioning resources. The facility includes top of the line equipment, fitness centre, artificial turf fields, pool, student housing, and dining facilities.
Acommodation and billeting
Prospects accommodation options include billeting with a local family, or residential housing on the SFU campus.
Billet families play a vital role in enhancing the player’s experience in Vancouver, and helping them reach their full potential. Help the Whitecaps develop players of the future. The Whitecaps are looking for community volunteers to billet Residency players.
If you would be interested in billeting an elite athlete in September 2007 and learning more about host family benefits, please contact Angela Whitfield at 604-669-WAVE (9283), ext 2280 or email awhitfield@whitecapsfc.com.
First class, full-time education
Academically, a school that understands a developing athletes unique needs is paramount to their success. Well respected for its intensely supportive athletic program, students will attend Burnaby Central Secondary.
With an emphasis on balance, students can pursue their rigorous practice and playing schedule supported by a strong highly individualized academic program. Testimony to their success, Central has proudly fostered the careers of many athletic professionals.
