CALGARY, AB – Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) announced on August 16 a renewed player development partnership through 2026.
“We are very excited to continue working with the Calgary Minor Soccer Association,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “This is an important partnership that will allow for us to provide additional development opportunities for these young players to develop in Calgary.”
The partnership, which originally began in 2016, will re-introduce a pathway to the professional club environment in Vancouver through the full-time, fully funded Whitecaps FC Boys MLS Academy and the Girls Elite Academy, a Canada Soccer National Development Centre (NSDC).
“CMSA's commitment to grassroots engagement, combined with Whitecaps FC's professional acumen, forms a powerful pathway set to elevate aspiring players and coaches”, said Carlo Bruneau, CMSA’s executive director. “We are grateful for Whitecaps FC’s investment in our soccer community, and as we embark on this journey together, the fusion of CMSA's proven track record and Whitecaps FC's support amplifies our capacity to cultivate top-tier athletes and future leaders on and off the pitch.”
The Whitecaps FC Calgary BMO Academy Centre provides local talent a pathway to professional soccer, scholarships, and Canadian national teams.
More than 10 players from Calgary have come through the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System and moved on to professional careers, including current Whitecaps FC and Canadian national team star Sam Adekugbe. More than 25 players from Calgary have also come through Whitecaps FC BMO Academy programs and earned collegiate scholarships, with players such as Canadian youth international Kaylee Hunter, MVP of the 2024 League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship, excelling in the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy.
Local Whitecaps FC programs include the Development Academy, Prospects Academy, Caps’ to College program, and Camps & Clinics. Programs will be offered for players aged U9 to U18. Players in the Whitecaps FC Prospects Academy and the Caps’ to College program may get the opportunity to also participate in the Whitecaps FC Academy Showcase in Vancouver.
