Academy Centre Players of the Month - May

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 May 2018.

Birth Year:
 2007
Hometown:
 CMSA South
What his coach says:
 “Sam has shown a tremendous level of focus and dedication during every single practice session. His foundation of technical ability is extremely strong but he continuously looks to improve and build upon this session after session. These small changes to his technical ability have helped turn these into skills, which have helped improve his effectiveness in opposed situations. He sets the example in every session not by what he says but by his actions. He doesn’t let distractions around him take him away from the task at hand and continues to focus on the small details that the coaching staff are asking of him. Congratulations on this well deserved award and keep up the good work."
Name: 
Yihyeon Kim
Birth Year: 
2006
Hometown: 
Springbank, AB
What his coach says: 
"Yihyeon not only leads by example but he is a leader amongst the group. He is constantly looking to encourage and push others around him both through his actions but also through his words. During every activity/game Yihyeon shows a determination to play at 100% and this type of training mentality is exactly what we are looking for in every player which comes into the academy program. Not only is he completely dedicated when he comes to the field but he is also extremely dedicated away from the field as well. One of the coaching staff saw him practicing his ball mastery whilst waiting for the school bus one morning, this type of practice away from the field certainly shows on the field as well. Keep up the great work and we look forward to following your progress moving forward."
Name: 
Stella Geestman
Birth Year: 
2008
Hometown: 
Canmore
What her coach says: 
“Stella’s improvement in terms of her comfortability on the ball from the winter sessions to the spring sessions has been extremely noticeable. This has allowed her to be become much smoother in possession of the ball and helped her to be able to manipulate a variety of different 1v1 scenarios. This improvement is testament to her dedication to the homework program which we have in place and the amount of time that she clearly sends practicing away from the academy centre sessions. We look forward to continuing to watch your improvement and as a staff we are extremely happy to give you this award.” 

Name: 
Mckenna Toop


Birth Year: 
2007
Hometown: 
Chilliwack, BC
What her coaches say:
 "McKenna is a model player and leads the group with her actions and focus. Despite being one of the smaller players in the group, she makes up for it with a high work rate, constantly scanning and being aware and her fluid technical skill. She is confident in 1v1 situations and loves turning forwards towards goal. These skills come alive in the sessions and game play, where’s she’s constantly finding solutions. What an exciting player for the future!"
Name: 
Patrick Marks 


Birth Year: 
2008
What his coaches say:
 "Patrick is a talented young boy who loves to try new skills and tricks. He is able to run with the ball and beat players in 1v1 situations. Patrick has matured over his time with the Whitecaps really well - keep it up!"

Name: 
Vesna Mackillop
Birth Year:
 2008
Hometown: 
Victoria


What her coaches say:
 "Vesna is very mature for her age and makes smart decisions in possession. She is now improving athletically, which is making her quick in possessions and particularly when in transition.  Vesna is polite and very respectful and has been so much fin to coach this Spring."
Name: 
Mikhail David Ellis
Birth Year: 
2008
Hometown:
Sooke


What his coaches say: 
"Mika has a great personality and has been showing this in his training sessions. He is hard working, always has fun and takes feedback very well. Mika has been a welcome addition to the Academy and improved so much in the Spring phase – great job Mikhail!"
Upper Island Academy Centre
Name: 
Natalie McDowell
Birth Year:
 2007
Hometown: 
Comox Valley


What her coaches say:
 "Natalie has been a superb addition to the program this Spring. She is very enthusiastic, has a great sense of humour and is very competitive in practice. She is improving every week and we’re excited to play a role in Natalie’s development."
Name: 
Calum Louden
Birth Year: 
2002
Hometown: 
Nanaimo


What his coaches say: 
"Calum has always shown a lot of potential and is now becoming a leader in the group. He is very skillful and understands the game very well tactically. We are very excited to see Calum go from strength to strength over the next while."

Name: 
Molly Cain


Birth Year: 
2006
Hometown: Cranbrook, BC
What her coaches say:
 "
Molly has been in the program for three years now and with every phase she has got better and better. Her attitude towards training is one of dedication and commitment which transfers to all the players around her. She has a clear passion for soccer and her recent performances for Kootenay Whitecaps as well as her local association show that her game is improving all the time. Well done Moll’s, keep up the hard work."

Name:
 Allie Franssen


Birth Year: 
2002
Hometown:
 London, Ontario


What her coaches say:
 "Allie’s fierce competitive nature makes her a fantastic leader on the U-16 team. She is a strong defender that looks for opportunities to play forward. Her physical play makes her extremely difficult to beat in any 1v1 situation."
Name:
 Michael Costa


Birth Year:
 2004
Hometown:
 London, Ontario
What his coaches say:
 "Michael is a powerful striker with excellent finishing skills. He was part of the Ontario Selects team that attended the March break combine in Richmond, where he led the line and scored several goals against some of the top players in the country. Michael is also humble, works hard in training and volunteers in our Future 'Caps program. Keep up the great work Michael."

Name: 
Mackenzie Cosh
Birth Year: 
2005
Hometown:
 Ottawa, ON


What her coaches say:
 "Mack has been fantastic since entering the program. As a central defender she is assured in possession and rarely loses the ball, she is just as confident winning the ball as she is driving into midfield. She has the heart of a lion and is always ready for a challenge. Well done Mackenzie, keep up the hard work.”
Name: 
Nathan Aquilina 


Birth Year: 
2007
Hometown:
 Ottawa, ON
What his coaches say:
 “Nathan is as enthusiastic as they come, he loves the game and it shows when he plays. He constantly looks to improve his game through practice and also questioning his coaches on how he can improve. He has great physical speed and his thought process and decision making is improving week on week. A joy to coach.”

Name: 
Lukyn Horsley
Birth Year: 
2007
What his coaches say: 
"Lukyn’s Attitude to training is fantastic. He works extremely hard each practice and looks to take on board information from the coaches and try new techniques. Well done."

Name: 
Jayda Hagedorn


Birth Year: 
2007
Hometown: 
North Vancouver
What her coaches say:
 “Jayda exudes confidence and is a role model to the group on and off the field. She is constantly working hard to get on the ball as much as she can both when attacking and defending. Jayda is a very skillful and tricky player and is exciting to watch on the ball. Through the Prospects Academy, we’ve worked with her to take her to the next level with her decision making and movement off the ball and she has absolutely blossomed. We are excited to see her development and realize her bright potential.”
UBC Academy Centre
Name: 
Asher Rapoport


Birth Year: 
2008
What her coaches say:
 "Asher is growing in to be very strong technical soccer player. He is able to use good decision making skills on when to pass and when to dribble. He can also take players on in 1v1 situations and use his strength and pace to do so. Well done."
Name: 
Kassandra Keng


Birth Year: 
2008
What his coaches say:
 "Kassandra has improved significantly over the past few months. She is becoming a valuable member of the group. She is the first to arrive practicing her juggling skills. Keep improving Kassandra!
Name: 
Sadie Haog 
Birth Year: 
2008
What his coaches say:
 "Sadie has also improved massively in the last two months. Her ball control and dribbling skills have given her opportunities to take players on and hold on to the ball longer. She is also a strong defender which helps her teammates!"

• April 2018
• March 2018
• February 2018
• January 2018
• December 2017
• November 2017
• October 2017