Whitecaps FC Academy Centres are a network of regional training hubs linked through key staff, curriculum, and standards that provide professional supplemental club training for serious, motivated players. Whitecaps FC currently have a network from coast to coast, including locations in Kamloops, the Kootenays, Manitoba, Northern BC, the Okanagan, Squamish, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, as well as in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/academy and select the academy in your region.
Below are the Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Players of the Month for April 2018.
Fraser Valley Academy Centre
Name:
Alainah Lissimore
Hometown:
Abbotsford
Birth Year:
2008
What her coaches say:
“Alainah has been part of the Fraser Valley Prospects since day one. She has grown an incredible amount through working exceptionally hard and being brave to try new things. Alainah is really skillful on the ball, looks to escape pressure, and is a fantastic defender! She’s been trying her best to beat her record with juggling as well. If she keeps training with this same intensity every week, I’m sure Alainah is going to be a rising talent!”
Name:
Elijah Amendt
Birth Year:
What his coaches say:
"Elijah has shown a great attitude to training. He has excelled in his individual skills and also in game situations. He has good pace and ability to take players on in 1v1 situations. Well done Elijah – we look forward to monitor and support your progress."
Kamloops Academy Centre
Name:
Aubrey Harasemchuk
Birth Year:
2008
What her coaches say:
"Aubrey recently joined our academy in the fall of 2017. She has come a long way in that period and is really showing her growth within our academy system. She is excelling with the high pace setting and you are seeing the improvement in her skill set. She has a great attitude and work ethic and as a coaching staff we are pleased to have her in our academy and see her enjoying our time and watch her growth as a player."
Name:
Henry Honey
Birth Year:
2010
What his coaches say:
"
Henry recently joined our academy in the winter of 2017. Although he is one of our younger players, we are very happy to see his progression in his time in our system. He has a strong work ethic and great attitude which helps with the older players. He continues to improve and excel in this high pace setting and with increased concentration will continue to develop his skills and play."
Kootenay Academy Centre
Kootenay East
Name:
Jessica Hansen
Hometown:
Cranbrook
Birth Year:
2004
What her coaches say:
"
Jess is an absolute diamond to coach. She is someone that never stops working on her game and is an absolute warrior on the field. A bullish central striker that is definitely a real handful for any defender, Jess has been in the academy for four years now. It’s easy to see that she has an undoubtable passion for the game, something that you can tell in every single session. She still needs to sharpen up in front of goal at times, but if she gets that area of her game a little better she’ll be a real star striker for the Kootenay Academy Centre. Well done Jess and a just reward for all your hard work."
Name:
Oliver Orchiston
Birth Year:
2000
What his coaches say:
Oliver has been with the academy for three years now and every phase gets better and better. He has an incredibly high work ethic and is extremely open to feedback in order to improve his game. A utility player who is very confident in possession and a tireless worker when out of possession, Oliver has been attending college tryouts lately with an eye for further soccer opportunities upon graduating the academy. Based on his efforts to date he’ll have plenty college/university coaches wanting a player with these attributes on their roster. Pleasure to coach, well done Oli.
London Youth Academy Centre
Name:
Frances Jenkinson
Hometown:
London, Ontario
Birth Year:
2005
What her coaches say:
"Frances was part of the Ontario Whitecaps Selects girls team that traveled to Richmond, BC in March for the Academy Centre Combine. Frances' hard work is paying off and her recent performances with the 2005 OPDL Girls team have been outstanding. Combining physical power and technique, Frances shows a lot of potential to keep developing in the OPDL season ahead."
Name:
Justin Owolabi
Hometown:
London, Ontario
Birth Year:
2002
What his coaches say:
"Justin was selected for the HPP Camp in Vancouver as a trial for the Residency program earlier this winter, but had to withdraw due to a serious ankle injury. Since then, he has worked hard to return to fitness and earned another trip to Vancouver for a Residency trial this month. Justin was also recently selected for the Ontario provincial team for his age group."
Ottawa Academy Centre
Name:
Norah DeWolfe
Hometown:
Ottawa, Ontario
Birth Year:
2004
What her coaches say:
"Norah is one of our hardest working players in the academy. She is always on it from minute one of the session. To go along with her work ethic, she has great technical ability that is improving week on week. Keep up the hard work Norah!"
Name:
Adrien Vaz
Hometown:
Ottawa, Ontario
Birth Year:
2004
What his coaches say:
"Adrien has shown great quality since coming into the program. He has a battling side to his game that every forward player needs and he uses his quick feet and physical attributes to his advantage. Well done Adrien!"
Sea to Sky Academy Centre
Name:
Gabbi Buchanan
Birth Year:
What her coaches say:
"Gabbi has shown a great attitude to learn and develop. She has good technical skills as well as a good understanding of the game. Gabbi has a passion for the game and this should only rub off on her fellow players. Well done Gabbi."
Name:
Aidan Ramage
Birth Year:
What his coaches say:
"Aidan’s attitude to training is fantastic. He always plays with a smile on his face. He is the first to arrive and always the last to leave. He is very coachable – always looking to take on advice and new techniques to develop his game. Aidan can play in numerous positions which will hold him in good stead as he gets older and even more competitive.”
Vancouver Academy Centre
Name:
Isabella Kershaw
Hometown:
West Vancouver
Birth Year:
2005
What her coaches say:
“Isabella is one of our hardest working and most enthusiastic players. She always encourages the group, has a big smile on her face, and has an inquisitive mind. Izzy is a role model in terms of training mindset, she is the first to arrive and the last to leave, is always engaged and constantly thinking of clever solutions. She has grown so much from her time in the Whitecaps Academy Centre and is brave and confident to try new skills in game play. We know that Izzy will have a bright future and continue to be a positive influence on the people around her.”
UBC Academy Centre
Name:
Paige Morris
Birth Year:
What her coaches say:
"Paige is an important member of the academy. She has demonstrated leadership qualities by organizing and communicating positively with her teammates in practices. She understands the game at a good level and asks excellent questions of the coaches. She uses the challenge cards to great effect, trying to implement new techniques into her game. Fantastic Paige, keep it up."
Name:
William Armitage
Birth Year:
What his coaches say:
"William is a hard working young boy who is always keen to try new things in practices. William has matured well over the term and has become a great role model for the group. He has good individual skills, which is highlighted in 1v1 practices showing good explosive and evading skills in beating players. He also excels in games finding space to run at players and defence splitting passes. Keep it up!
Previous Players of the Month
