Help a young player achieve their dream
Every year, young players leave behind their friends and family to move to Vancouver and pursue their dream of becoming a professional soccer player in our Girls Elite Academy and MLS Academy (boys). A key part of these players' success is living in a safe, comfortable home with a warm family environment. That's what makes our host families so important.
Share in the journey
As a host family, you'll welcome a Whitecaps FC BMO Academy player into your home for the duration of the season. You'll provide safety, stability, and emotional support, so the player can focus on training and continuing their studies at secondary school.
You'll share in the journey of a talented young athlete as they grow in confidence and ability over a short period of time. Our players are ideal role models for younger family members. They show what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
Build a lasting relationship
Billeting is a wonderful opportunity to build a lasting relationship with a dedicated young athlete. Many host families stay in touch with players and follow their careers as they play professionally for Whitecaps FC or clubs worldwide.
Graduates of the Billet Program include current and former Whitecaps FC first team players like Russell Teibert, Thomas Hasal, Theo Bair, and, famously, Alphonso Davies, who went on to win the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020.
The perfect match
If your application is successful, we'll match you with one of our young players. At a minimum, all host families should be able to:
- Provide a warm, family home near to our training centres at UBC (Boys MLS Academy), and in Burnaby (Girls Elite Academy).
- Offer a safe and comfortable living space, including a private room with a double bed and desk.
- Provide three nutritious, freshly prepared meals for your player(s) every day, seven days a week.
- Host a player from mid-August to July the following year.
What we'll provide
Our dedicated Billet Program Coordinator will be on hand to help with anything you need. We'll also provide:
- Financial compensation to cover food and utility costs.
- Whitecaps FC season tickets for MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and League 1 BC. Perhaps someday you can watch the player you host in action!
Become a host family
Apply today. If you're interested in becoming a host family for the upcoming season, please fill out the form here.
Whitecaps FC BMO Academy staff will follow-up with all applicants within 3-5 business days to set up a short phone interview and information session.
FAQ
To view the FAQ, please click here.
Contact us
For more information on the billet family program, please email Marc Shimwell - Billet Program Coordinator at mshimwell@whitecapsfc.com