BSA ELITE NIAGARA SOCCER ACADEMY CEASES AS AN ACADEMY

Effective October 25, 2014, the Academy ceased functioning as a true soccer academy.  

First In Group Stages - Semi-Finals Tomorrow AM

The Academy finished on top of their of their group in the YSLO International Tournament with a 2-1-0 undefeated record. We have scored ten and only conceded three times.

Next match is semi-final tomorrow morning vs TBD (quarter-finals this afternoon).  Kick-off is at 9:00am, players to be at the field ready for warm-ups at 8:00am.

2014 YSLO Niagara Elite International Cup This Weekend!

We look forward to competing in the first annual YSLO Niagara Elite International Cup this weekend.

All games are at the Thomas A. Lannan, Sports Complex, 550 Elizabeth Street, Port Colborne.  Our schedule is as follows:

Saturday

·         8:30am, vs Knights FC, Lannan #1

·         3:45pm, vs County FC, Lannan #4

Sunday

·         9:00am, vs Admiral Stars, Lannan #4

·         Quarter Finals, 3:00pm Lannan #3 or #4

Monday

·         Semi Finals, 9:00am, Lannan #3 or #4

·         Final , 12:00pm, Lannan #1

As always, players are to be at the playing field 45 mins prior to kick-off ready for warm-ups. Dress in White but be prepared to switch to Black as required.

Round 7 of Thruway League Action This Sunday at West Seneca

Hi all, this Sunday is our 7^th round  of Thruway League action when we host Empire Revolution Soccer Academy (ERSA) Buffalo Red at the West Seneca Soccer Complex Field E.

Please click here for the google map to the West Seneca Soccer Complex 3747 Seneca Street West Seneca, NY 14224 

Kick-off is at 1:00pm - players to be at the field ready for warm-ups no later than 12:15pm. 

Players are to dress in white shirts and socks, but as always, pack the black shirts as well.

Webster Lakefront Classic / Empire Cup Finalists

This past weekend our team competed in the Webster Lakefront Classic / Empire Cup and returned home as finalists in the U13 Boys Gold Division.

The tournament gave us everything we wanted for player development with 4 quality games. We had wins and close, hard fought matches as well.  We found our scoring touch, finding the back of the net 13 times, and recorded 2 clean sheets on the weekend.  We have much to take away from our loss in the finals and are now looking forward to more Thruway League competition next weekend.

Webster NY Lakefront Classic Empire Cup


We are excited to travel to Rochester this weekend to compete in the Webster Lakefront Classic Empire Cup.

We play three games with a possible fourth game should we advance.  The schedule with field locations and times are at this link.

Curfew and General Expectation of Players

On Saturday our first game is at 10:30am and the second at 2:15pm after which we have the evening to relax.  It is important that in between games that the boys rest, recuperate, have nourishment, re-hydrate and be ready to play the second game.  Make careful food choices, carbs are best during this time (eg. small pasta meal), and make sure to rest and recupe.   

On Saturday night, we will be watching World Cup action and resting. Curfew is 10:00pm.

Sunday morning breakfast meeting time for players will be given to them on Saturday.

See you in Rochester….. “Let’s Go Buffalo!”

6th Round of Thruway League Action This Sunday!

On Sunday we host the Soaring Capital City Strikers in our 6^th game of Thruway League action.

*Please note the field location has been changed from the original schedule.   We are now playing at the Batavia Sports Park, Field 1   Google Map: 8069 Bank St Road Batavia NY 14020   

This is the same Park where we played our first game of the season – an approx 45 minute drive from the Peace Bridge.

Kick-off is at Noon - players to be at the field ready for warm-ups at 11:15am. Come dressed in White shirt and socks but pack you black shirts as well.

Two Day Thuway League Road Trip

On Saturday we travel to Schenectady NY, to play the FC Dutchmen Hammers. 

Kick-off is set for 4:00pm at DiCaprio Park Field 6.  Players are to be at the field ready to warm-up at 3:00pm.  Google says this is an approx. 4:15 min drive from  the Peace Bridge.

After the game in Schenectady, players and parents travel to Rochester and stay in the Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside for the evening (an approx. 3 hour drive).   I have confirmed a late arrival time for us at the hotel.  A Buffett breakfast in included for the players so that the team can eat together on Sunday morning. 

On Sunday we will play at Webster Green at their WSA Basket Road Field # 10 in Webster NY  which is only 15-20 minutes from the hotel.     Kick-off is set for 1:00pm. Players are to be at the field ready for warm-ups at 12:15pm.

Players: be sure to pack both your Black and White BSA kits (shirts shorts and socks) as we will likely wear white on Saturday and black on Sunday.  

LET'S GO BUFFALO!

Thruway League Round 3 vs Clarence SC Inferno

Hi all, we are ready for the 3^rd round of Thruway League action this Sunday when we host  the Clarence SC Inferno at the West Seneca Soccer Complex Field D.

Please click here for the google map to the West Seneca Soccer Complex 3747 Seneca Street West Seneca, NY 14224

Google says it is a 60 km trip from The CAT, approx.  45-50 minute drive.  

Kick-off is at 1:00pm: players to be at the field ready for warm-ups no later than 12:15pm. 

Weather looks to be 16 celsius and clear.  We cannot stress enough that the players need to be dressed for the weather, and have appropriate gear for the elements. 

We have our new BSA Uniforms - given it may be a muddy affair, let’s wear all black (black shirts, shorts and socks) – make sure to bring your white BSA shirts with you in your bags in case we need to change strips.

“Let’s Go Buffalo!”

Thruway League Round 2 @ DMS BU13 Stealth

Hi all, we are ready for the 2^nd round of Thruway League action this Saturday when we travel to DMS BU13 Stealth in Spencerport NY.

Please click here for the google map to the Doug Miller Family Sports Park – Field 1, 4618 Ridge Road West Spencerport NY 14559.   

Google says it is a 165km trip from The CAT, approx. 1 hour 50 min drive.  

Kick-off is at 2:00pm: we expect the players to be at the field ready for warm-ups no later than 1:15pm. 

Weather looks to be 21 celsius - but lots or rain.  We cannot stress enough that the players need to be dressed for the weather, and have appropriate gear for the rain and wind.  We will have a rain shelter for the bench area if required.

The new Buffalo uniforms will not be ready for this week’s game – they are at the printer for sponsorship printing.  I will be bringing the green set of adidas shirts the boys.   Ensure that they wear black shorts and black socks.

“Let’s Go Buffalo!”

2014 YSLO Niagara Elite International Cup

 

Hello all, Clayton has made it possible for our Academy Team to Host the 2014 YSLO Niagara Elite International Cup  (June 28-30, 2014).

Games will be played at fields between NOTL and Port Colborne.   

Mark these dates on your calenders!

More info to follow!!

Update Re Game 1

 

UPDATE: this is to confirm that as of now, the game tomorrow is on as scheduled - Batavia Sports Park Fields are open.

If the game cannot be played because the fields are too wet, Tuukka and I will be notified in the morning. If we get that message we will get pass on to you immediately... otherwise pls proceed as if the game is being played.

Thruway League Week 1 vs FC Cobras

We are very excited for the season opener this Sunday vs FC Cobras from Rochester.

Please note the field location has been changed from the original schedule.   We are now playing at the Batavia Sports Park, Field 7    

Google Map: 8069 Bank St Road Batavia NY 14020

Kick-off is at 1:00pm: we expect the players to be at the field ready for warm-ups no later than 12:15pm.  Thankfully, so far it looks like the weather will cooperate with us!

We welcome and thank Gianluca, Tristan and David J as our call-up guest players for us this week!

“Let’s Go Buffalo!”

 

Confirming Details of Friendly with Erin Mills SC

This post is to confirm the details of our friendly with Erin Mills Soccer Club U13s for this Sunday April 13.  

Players need to be at the Young’s Sportsplex outdoor fields by 2:30pm. Game will start at 3:00pm and will be a 9v9 format with two 35 minute halfs.  Players to wear Black GEMS shirts, shorts and socks.

"Deutschland 2015"

Hi all, we are very pleased to announce that through Coach Tuukka’s professional contacts, we have been able to organize a Spring Training Camp trip to Germany in March 2015!

We are planning a ten day trip after March Break which will include:

·        flights to and from Frankfurt

·        ground transport

·        6 training sessions with professional coaches

·        6 friendlies with German club and Academy teams

·        attending a Bundesliga game in a World Cup Arena

·        Stadium Tour of Eintracht Frankfurt

·        Tours of Cologne Cathedral Dome, Chocolate Museum and visit to Leisure Park

·        Staying in dorms designed for sports teams

The players will have exposure to world class training in a professional environment and surroundings. There are many details to work out - a sample itinerary was emailed to parents today.

We will begin fundraising soon for this trip-of-a-lifetime for our team.   A fundraising program is being designed with the help of Canadian Soccer Hall of Famer John McGrane.

More information will be shared as soon as we have it. Practice your German boys!   Dankeschön!!

TRAINING FRIENDLY THIS SUNDAY: 
Players are to be Youngs Sportsplex this Sunday by 11:45am for a training friendly outdoors.  Players to wear white GEMS shirt, black shorts and black socks. 

Our Academy Youth Development Model

We are extremely pleased to unveil our formal Academy Youth Development Model. 

This document serves as our over-arching plan as to what we do as an Academy, our values, our culture, our program, training methods, style of play and player expectations.

Youth Development Models are cornerstones for top academies in Europe, but from what we can see, we are the only Academy or Club in Canada that has such a plan.  We have taken our Academy to the next level. 

To develop our model, we have used Coach Tuukka’s experience and training in the Finnish and German systems in which he grew up in, and where he was trained and played professionally such as at Schalke04, TSG Hoffenheim, FSV Frankfurt.  Clayton’s knowledge and experience in the French, Dutch and English systems are also woven into the model.  

League, State Cup and Tournament Schedules Finalized

Hello all, our Thruway League schedule has been released and can now be viewed on the league website by clicking here.

We have finalized our tournament schedule and produced a combined League, State Cup and Tournament Schedule which was emailed players and parents this afternoon.

We will have more details and information on hotel reservations shortly.

 


Regular Training Schedule for March Break & Uniform Sizing

Hi all, a quick note to confirm that the academy team's training schedule of Mon-Wed-Fri 5:00-6:30 will remain the same throughout March Break.

If players want more touches during the day please contact Clayton and Tuukka re the camps they are running throughout the week.

Thanks and see you tomorrow!
 

Family Day Friendly Update

Hello all, we will play our Family Day Friendly this coming Monday at the Youngs Sportsplex from 12:00-1:00pm vs Garrincha Academy.  This Friendly is a 9v9 format. Players are to be at Youngs by 11:30am. 

Family Day Friendly 9v9 Soccer Tournament

Hello everyone,

Young's Sportsplex is planning a Family Day Friendly 9v9 Soccer Tournament on Monday February 17 2014.

Please mark this in your calenders.

More info will be provided once team interest is determined from within the Niagara Region.

Parent Meeting After Training on Friday

Hello everyone, this post is a reminder re the Parent Meeting for this coming Friday.  As usual we will be The CAT immediately following training (6:30pm), for approx. 30 minutes.

A few parents have told us they are unable to attend- all the materials will be emailed to the group after the meeting and posted on our facebook team page.

Thanks and see you then.

 

 

Back To Work

Hi all, from what we have heard and seen the boys are raring to go and get back to work after the holiday break!

This email is a reminder that we start our regular training schedule this Monday.  As before we will be training Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:00-6:30pm at The CAT.  

As well, we will have our Free Play Schedule sorted out this week and will send out to you as soon as it is confirmed.

US Soccer Registration is underway and we will begin friendlies soon.

See you Monday!

A Message From Clayton

A Message From Clayton Rosario:

Our Elite Academy team is set for the New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) Thruway league and State Cup for 2014.  

Elite have been pioneers in Academy development for the past 5 years in the Niagara region.  In our first year in the SAAC Academy we won the U16 Division (Under Shooting Stars).  In 2013, our current team won the U13 Elite Challenge Cup in Erie PA, after only being together 9 months.

It has been a challenge changing the mindset of Niagara region players to invest in year-round training and to commit full-time, but we are finally making a break through. Our move into the US league structure takes our program to another level.

FIFA World Rankings have USA ranked 14th in the World compared to Canada at 112th. Canada has not been in a World Cup since 1986. That is 26 years.  Canada’s league structure gets worse every year.

To develop into a top player you have to train and play at a high level.

Elite Soccer Development now offers top level training and competition year round which will maximize a player’s individual development. Also, exposure to USA soccer on a regular basis keeps players faces in front of USA college coaches.  A full scholarship is worth $50,000 per year and over 4 years $200,000. I think it is worth the sacrifice to gain a full 4 year ride.

Elite is the only full time soccer academy in the Niagara region with paid professional coaches and own full time training centre. If you are male or female interested in being part of a full time academy program contact Clayton Rosario 289-214-1414 or claytonelitesoccerdevelopment@gmail.com

Stay tuned for the unveiling of our new USA Academy kits for 2014 and the signing of our new players from USA and Canada.

Salonen Scored in the 47th minute...

Salonen scored in the 47th minute to put KFC Uerdingen ahead of Shalke 04.... but more importantly, check-out who he was playing against v Schalke 04 - Neuer (Bayern Munich), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), Krstajic (Shalke, Partizan), Altintop (Galatasaray) , Özil (Arsenal) , Løvenkrands (Newcastle United) - and our Head Coach scoring on them!  

This is further confirmation that Elite Academy players benefit from the highest quality training available in the region.  Tuukka teaches our boys what he grew up with, learned and played in - in the German system.

Training Friendly vs Wexford November 3

Hello everyone, we have scheduled a Training Friendly for this Sunday, November 3 from 1:00-2:30pm vs Wexford Soccer Club U14 Boys.  We will be on Field 1 at the Youngs Sportsplex in Welland.

Players to be at field by 12:15pm wearing ALL BLACK GEMS kits.

*REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS 1 HOUR BEHIND - "FALL BACK" - ON SAT NIGHT!

Information Night Notes

Below is the information shared at our Information Meeting last night.  Parents need to read and respond by Monday to an email sent out this morning.

OUR VISION, VALUES & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Everyone who loves the beautiful game agrees that we need to add a significant level professionalism to our player development programs across Canada. It is clear we need to emulate how the rest of the "successful" soccer countries around the world do it. This means developing and implementing a systemic, consistent and predictable method of exposing our brightest young talent to highly qualified, licensed professional paid coaches.   This is why Elite Soccer Academy Niagara exists.

Our Academy program is second to none in terms of quality and quantity of training, and exposure to the best possible opportunities for our players. Our program is only for dedicated full-time soccer players who want to take their game to the highest level possible.

Under the guidance of Technical Director Clayton Rosario, our Head Coach Tuukka Salonen leads player development and coaching.  Tuukka played professionally in Germany and Finland for 10 years.  Tuukka’s pro playing experience, formal university education, professional training with Schalke 04, and proven track record of developing talent, make him one of the top coaches in Ontario.

Our players receive training and exposure and gain experience not available elsewhere.  The Academy and players are also promoted through numerous professional contacts, and through our new youtube channel and team website. We are taking lessons we have learned from Academies in Europe and putting them into practice in Niagara, Ontario Canada. 

Elite Soccer Academy Niagara is proud to have professional relationships with ASD Pro Calcio (AS ROMA Italy) and Pro Calcio Canada FC.   We are also proud of our coaching connections with Empoli FC, Italy.  Our relationships and connections include visits from and training with international coaches and agents.

Our program includes training 11 months a year, three times a week in quality training facilities. This means our players benefit from approximately 135 professionally designed training sessions per year.  Though summer and fall/winter futsal leagues, tournaments, and friendlies we ensure players play in 30-40 games per year.

 We are especially proud of our formal Fitness & Skills Testing Program. Players are tested regularly for fitness levels and technical skills.  Results are measured, evaluated and discussed with the players.  Goals and targets are set for players. This is an integral part of player development.  Fitness and skills testing is mostly overlooked in Canada but taken seriously in Europe – and at Elite Soccer Academy Niagara.

Elite Academy players have access to train in our own private facility, The CAT, as well as quick access to the best facilities in Ontario and Western New York, from Batavia to Niagara to the Greater Toronto Area.

Our players are immersed in a positive but intense environment with like-minded teammates. The priorities of the professional coaches will be to ensure that each player in the program develops to their full potential. Coaches do not be place unreasonable pressures on players to win games and collect trophies, but rather they will challenge them to identify and develop their weaknesses - to grow as individuals as well as athletes. Guided Discovery is a foundation of our coaching philosophy.

For new players, our Academy will do the utmost to ensure a smooth transition to our program for both players and parents.  For those that decide to join our Academy, it will quickly become evident that the benefits will far exceed any program available in the region.

Once signed on with Elite, parents are not be required to register for other training, camps or clinics throughout the year - the Elite Soccer Academy Niagara package provides the highest quality training year round – a complete package.

2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

Elite Soccer Academy Niagara had a very positive first year of operation.  The team competed in the Versus Academy League out of Vaughn and had a number of outstanding and entertaining games.  It helped our player/team development to play against top-level competition such as established teams from York Region and Vaughn; competition not found on this side of the Burlington Skyway.  Through Versus we made connections with quality teams and coaches that we will use through-out the coming year for combined training/friendlies.

Our players also benefited from hands-on coaching, perspective and input from Empoli FC Coach Davide Massafra.  We will continue to bring in professional guest coaches when possible.

In September, our team played in the first Niagara Futsal Cup, organized by the Canadian Futsalon Federation and Clayton Rosario.  We played against the Canadian U14 National Futsal Team and the Brazilian U14 National Futsal Team which featured Brazilian Legend Ronaldo’s son.  We look forward to this event next year as well.

We entered three US Tournaments in 2013.  Our first tournament action in the Erie Premier Cup, saw us go undefeated but end up one goal shy of an appearance in the finals.  Next up was the AC Milan Continental Cup in Cleveland Ohio where we watched our boys defeat the Ohio U13 Olympic Development Team and unfortunately bow out to the eventual tournament champions in the quarter-finals.

Finally, in our third tournament our boys tasted gold, winning the Elite Challenge Cup U13 Elite Division in Erie PA.  They earned a perfect record, beating the Cleveland Internationals (Ohio State Cup Champions), Fort Wayne United (Indiana State Champions) and the host Erie Admirals.  Along the way the team recorded 2 clean sheets, scored 12 and conceded only 2 goals all weekend.

With every tournament we saw the growth and development of our players and team.  We will continue to challenge our team with an aggressive tournament schedule, targeting the highest quality tournaments possible – as we tell the players, to be the best you have to compete against the best!

Our Fitness and Skills Testing Program showed fantastic results in our first ten months of operation.  As a group, our team’s fitness levels rose over 45% on average per player.  Coach Tuukka can meet with parents interested in a detailed breakdown on their child’s results.

Lastly, we are excited about our updated CAT Field.  We have been able to increase our training facility’s functional value by increasing player safety measures, widening the playing area, redesigning goals to give better shooting angles, and to give an overall impression of a brighter, more open space.

OUR PLANS FOR 2014

We are looking to build on our successful and busy 2013.  We are finalizing our agreement to register the team under the Buffalo Soccer Academy and then have the player’s International Transfer Clearances submitted for approval to US Soccer.

WHY U.S. SOCCER?

As an Academy we will always look for our team to compete at the highest levels possible. We will seek out top-level competition.  Soccer in Ontario is very fractured and disorganized and we have seen and will continue to see the level of competition drop.  However, this move to US Soccer is not about the state of soccer in Ontario, it is about the organization, professionalism, and maturity level of soccer programs in the US.  

The October 2013 FIFA World Rankings lists US Soccer at 13^th in the world and Canada at 111^th world-wide.  This speaks volumes towards the level of professionalism and sophistication of player development programs across the US, and the systemic advances US Soccer has made over the past number of years.  

Because of our geographic proximity to the US border (within 30 miles) we are eligible to register with US Soccer and have International Transfer Clearances processed for our players.  Once registered with US Soccer our Academy will be eligible to compete in any soccer venue in the US or Canada.  We will be eligible to play in all State Cup competitions. We will not be under any restrictions from the OSA.  In this system our players will be exposed to university and college scouts in the US.  This is not a hopeful comment but a fact - this is how US Soccer is designed.

We will register in the Western New York Thruway League and will play games from Buffalo to Batavia.  Games will be on weekends.  We will look to play double-headers if we need to travel farther. 

TOURNAMENTS

We had very positive experiences in 2013 with the AC Milan Continental Cup and Erie Elite Challenge Cup and will look to those and other similar or higher quality tournaments for 2014.  At this point we are targeting 5-6 tournaments, some of which will include more “local” tournaments in the US and Canada where there will not be a need for hotel stays.  Fundraising will be a key component for our 2014 Tournament Schedule.

CANADIAN FUTSALON FEDERATION

We have worked with the Canadian Futsalon Federation (the same organization which hosted the Niagara Futsal Cup at Ridley) to bring Futsal to Niagara.  Starting November, games will be played in Welland at BP Sports Park, on the courts next to The CAT.  This is another area of development and competition that cannot be found in the Niagara Region.

2014 FEE STRUCTURE

We have worked to drive down costs for 2014 as much as possible and have the following break-down on pricing:

FIXED COSTS

$1,700.00 Base Academy Fee which includes 11 months training, insurance, rent and professional coach’s salary

$295.00 League Fee, uniform and US Soccer Registration

$1,995.00 Total Fixed Costs per player for 2014

NON-FIXED COSTS

 Home game field rental $150/game 4-6 games      $600-900 /Team

 League Referee fees/ game $55/game 8-12 games            $440-660 /Team

             5-6 Tournaments approx. $500/Tournament            $2,500-3,000 /Team

                $3,540-$4,560 Total Non-Fixed Costs /Team for 2014

Our goal is to raise the total non-fixed costs through fundraising.  As an example, given 14 players, this would equal between $250-$325 fundraising dollars per player for the year. This is a very achievable target.

Monthly payment options are again available and can be discussed with Clayton.

*FUTSAL League costs are NOT included in this pricing model. Fees for FUTSAL will be paid separately or through a sponsorship if secured.