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 October 2018.
Fraser Valley Academy Centre
Name:
Marcus Starzacher
What his coaches say:
"Marcus is a polite, hard working and kind young boy. He arrives 30 minutes early every session, to practice his touch, shooting, and to just play. His love and enthusiasm for the game is obvious to see. Keep it up Marcus, you are a joy to coach."
Name:
Riley Simmonds
What his coaches say:
"Riley quietly goes about his business every session. However he has caught the coaches eye with his hard working attitude and eye for a pass and has excellent shooting ability. Keep working hard Riley."
Name:
Emily Willmets
What her coaches say:
"Emily has really been performing well this month. She is very effective at using her dribbling skillset to run at players and escape pressure. Emily is a great leader with a quiet focus. She is and can be a great role model for the program."
Name:
McKenna Toop
What her coaches say:
"McKenna works exceptionally hard at every practice and her attitude is always positive. She is tenacious and enjoys 1v1 challenges. Her individual possession has improved and she has more confidence advancing the ball at key moments. McKenna is a great team player and always has a big smile on her face!"
London Academy Centre
Name:
Jaiden Konrad
Birth Year:
2003
Hometown:
Sarnia, Ontario
What her coaches say:
"Jaiden had a great season with the U-15 girls, winning the Regional League and reaching the Ontario Cup final. A tough defender with a great attitude, Jaiden has also been selected to attend the High Potential Prospects camp in Vancouver in November, and has progressed to the next stage of the Ontario provincial team tryouts."
Name:
RJ Solomone
Birth Year:
2003
Hometown:
Camlachie, Ontario
What his coaches say:
"RJ excelled as a forward this season with the U-15 boys, leading the Regional League in scoring, helping the team win the league and reaching the Ontario Cup final where he also got on the scoresheet. RJ has been selected to attend the High Potential Prospects camp in Vancouver in November, and has progressed to the next stage of the Ontario provincial team tryouts."
Ottawa Academy Centre
Name:
Leah Disipio
Birth Year:
2005
Hometown:
Ottawa, ON
What her coaches say:
“Leah has a first class attitude when it comes to training. She is always one of the first to arrive, she is attentive in sessions and is always looking for ways to improve. To go along with her attitude and application she is also a player with huge potential, playing as a nine she is a constant threat and a nightmare for opposition defenders with pace, vision and the ability to seemingly finish from anywhere. Leah is definitely one to watch. Well done, keep up the hard work!”
Name:
Jason Keah
Birth Year:
2003
Hometown:
Ottawa, ON
What his coaches say:
“Jason’s ability has been evident since he started with the academy. He has improved week on week and is developing into a strong young player but more importantly he is also developing into a strong person – able to deal with setbacks and able to take feedback on board and use it to improve. Tie this in with his attitude and motivation, made Jason a clear choice for November’s HPP Combine in Vancouver. Well done Jason!”
Saskatchewan Academy Centre
Name:
Isaac Geyer
Birth Year:
2004
What his coaches say:
"Isaac shows a great attitude towards training. He has performed week in and week out and deserves this recognition. Well done Isaac."
Name:
Kelly Eckert
Birth Year:
2003
What her coaches say:
"Kelly has been outstanding for the past month. Her attitude in training has been fantastic. Well deserved Kelly."
Sea to Sky Academy Centre
Name:
Nelson Byeriesmith
What his coaches say:
"Nelson has really impressed the coaches this Fall session. His composure on the ball and ability to retain possession is developing well. He is always respectful and has an excellent capacity to put into practice what he has learnt. Awesome work Nelson!"
Name:
Hendrik Lorenz
What his coaches say:
"Hendrik has matured and progressed fantastically over this past month. Hendrick's focus in training has brought out a different side to his play especially in recognizing dead ends and when to pass/dribble the ball. Well done to you - keep this up!"
Name:
Madilyn Fecho
What her coaches say:
"Madilyn has improved so much in the past six months. She is a joy to coach and not afraid to put in tackles, win the ball back and make plays. Her receiving of the ball has improved and decision making is getting better all the time. Congrats Madilyn!"
Name:
Kacey Cox
What her coaches say:
"Kacey is a treat to coach on a weekly basis. Her love of the game and willingness to try new things is a great compliment to her technical strength. Kacey is fearless and embraced the challenge of competing with the boys who are several years her elder this fall. Having been in the program for many years, Kacey is someone our younger players can look up to. Keep it going, Kacey."
UBC Academy Centre
Name:
Jasper Gick
What his coaches say:
"Jasper has a great passion for the game and plays with a big smile on his face. He has improved tremendously, always working hard. He loves to be challenged. Also trying his hand in goal and excelling!"
Name:
Adam Oirkha
What his coaches say:
"Adam has an incredible passion for the game and a great work ethic. He has great dribbling skills and never shy to take players on. Adam is always engaged in the sessions and very positive with his peers. It is a pleasure to coach Adam and the future is bright. Well done."
Name:
Elisse Zsucs
What her coaches say:
"Elisse has been a star in the academy this phase. Her awareness and vision on the ball has really improved and this is a testament to the increased tempo that she plays at and levels of concentration. I have been really impressed with the type of pass she has been choosing and the weight of her pass. She has been very decisive in and out of possession. Keep up the great work Elisse!"
Name:
Delphine Gosselin
What her coaches say:
"Delphine has been a superb addition to the academy centre — she gives everything in practice and learns very quickly. Her receiving and awareness has improved a lot and is helping her advance the ball and be more of a threat. She has found new confidence which is great to see! Keep believing in yourself."
Mainland Girls Academy
Name:
Kinsley Fritz
Hometown:
Port Coquitlam
Birth Year:
2012
What her coaches say:
“Kinsley is always the first one to training and the last to leave. She has so much passion for the game and loves to learn. Kinsley has been working really hard on her dribbling skills, and is excelling at using different turns/tricks against defenders. Kinsley brings such a positive attitude to every training and excites us every time she plays. Fantastic work Kinsley!”
Previous Players of the Month
