Mission, Vision, Philosophy

Mission:  Provide the highest-levels of quality soccer training for players and enhance their social, emotional and physical health, in a positive and safe environment.

Vision:  Create and nurture an unparalleled soccer learning and tournament environment.  

To achieve this vision, we make every effort to ensure that well-educated coaches develop the skills, fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship in each player, and that they foster and perpetuate these qualities at all levels of a player’s growth.  We also strive to provide a facility and tournament atmosphere for our players and visitors that safely fosters their competitive spirit.  Ultimately, we endeavor to empower our players and visitors with a life-long passion and love for the game of soccer.

Philosophy:  Create an environment where our players develop a love of the game of soccer and continue to participate in the sport throughout their lifetime.

To achieve this goal, we develop an environment where we teach a creative, attacking, and possession-style soccer built on a foundation of strong technical skills.

In adopting this style of soccer, we foster an environment free from the “fear of failure”, where our players can explore and be creative without the fear of making mistakes. We believe that such an environment, with no limitations is where our players can grow the most and realize their potential both as players and people. The motivation to play attractive soccer must be greater than the fear of losing.

“I am more concerned if we don’t play good soccer than if we don’t win.”

Guillermo Amor, FC Barcelona Sporting Director

With this in mind, mistakes will be inevitable, and games may be won or lost through players ‘trying things’ such as building up from the back.  However, we never benchmark our players, teams, or coaches success purely on results, especially in U9 – U13 where players develop both physically and technically at much different rates (e.g., the most dominant player or team at U9 is seldom the most dominant player or team at U12).

In addition to developing technically and tactically sound players, we aim to develop our players both physically and psychologically.  In terms of physical development, a strong emphasis will be placed on developing psychomotor skills, which unfortunately have been on a rapid decline in today’s youth, due to the modern environment, whereby free play (playing at parks, unorganized sports etc.) is fast becoming nonexistent.

“Children have gone from the playpark to the playstation.”

Professor Vincenzo Vergine ACF Fiorentina

To develop our players psychologically, we aim to teach our players valuable lessons through competition and prepare them for the challenges they will face both on the field and in later life.  While we stress that ‘winning is not always important,’ we also emphasize that ‘wanting to win’ is important.  Ultimately, we are a competitive soccer club and will strive to win every game, BUT we always aim to do so in a manner that is consistent with our philosophy as outlined above.

“No victory is worth a grey cloud hanging over it.”

Gordon Young, Motherwell FC Academy Director