“Wellness to World Cup”
Executive Summary
In late 2005, the CSA with Sport Canada established the Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) Work Group to study the system of soccer player development in Canada. During the final months of 2005 through 2006, the Work Group engaged top professional coaches and administrators at the national and provincial levels across Canada as well as outside experts in discussions and research into what types of player development systems would be necessary to develop increased levels of player excellence. The broad soccer community was consulted as the Work Group conducted research and held periodic meetings across the country in cities including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver. The results of these extensive discussions and research are detailed in this document. A principal finding: To qualify our Men’s National Team for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and propel our Women’s Senior National Team to a medal finish at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011, Canadian soccer must create a well defined pathway for player development.
The Work Group discussions and research have been based largely on the Sport Canada Long-Term Athlete Development project in which over 50 sports in Canada are already actively engaged.
CLICK HERE to view Sport Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Program.
Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Work in Progress
1. Basic overview of long-term player development for soccer in Canada – brochure and posters distributed Dec 2006
2. Wellness to World Cup, a strategy to advance the playing environment for Canadian soccer, to be completed March 2007
3. Completion of a comprehensive guide to the abilities needed for Canadian soccer players at each LTPD stage based on the ten “Sis of training and performance July 2007
4. A set of periodized annual plans for each LTPD stage to guide player development March 2008
Acknowledgements
The Long Term Player Development document would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of the many members and contributors of the LTPD Work Group. The CSA extend their gratitude to the following people for giving this work its tremendous breadth and depth:
Work Group members Work Group contributors
Sylvie Beliveau, Istvan Balyi, Eric Leroy, Anna Mees, Jim Cannovan, Michael Findlay, Mike Hudson, Markus Reinkens, Rick Celebrini, Mark Parker, Sean Fleming, John Walker, Tony Waiters, Francis Millien, Estelle Nicholls, Richard Way, Martin Harvey, and (Dick Bate) .
CLICK HERE to view and download the CSA's Wellness to World Cup Brochure and Document.
Informing the BCSA Membership
Process – Phase #1
Sean Fleming (Canadian Soccer Association Staff Coach & Director of Grassroots Development and member of the LTPD Working Group) attended the 2nd Annual BC Soccer Conference December 14th - 16th at BC Place Stadium. His presentation consisted of an introduction of the “Wellness to World Cup” document and its Long term Player Development Strategy to the attending delegates.
Process – Phase #2
The British Columbia Soccer Association is in the process of finalizing a regional schedule of information seminars.
Any further questions please contact the British Columbia Soccer Association's Director of Soccer Development, Michael Findlay (member of the LTPD Working Group) at
michaelfindlay@bcsoccer.net