forthegoodofthegame Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=ef97da6c-76d8-4bb9-8b37-564b3b2ac941&k=68236 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Cool. We can now move on to other matters. Glad that's done with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forthegoodofthegame Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Is nobody as excited about this as I am? The IMG academy in Florida is currently housing the US residency program and developing the best players in America. Can we not assume that they will take a similar approach at their new location in Victoria? Surely there will be all kinds of benefits for top young Canadian players. It will be very interesting to see how the new IMG Academy will compete with the Vancouver Whitecaps Resideny program which has very similar aspirations. Any comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Its a interesting idea. But from the article it says students from 80 countries go to other schools, and it lists quite a few sports. For me it looks more like a factory for rich kids( who's parents who want to live vicariously through them) to try to become a professional hockey player or skier/snowboarder than a real national training centre. Maybe I'm way off, but thats just the way it reads to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forthegoodofthegame Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 no, you are not wrong. There is definitely an element to this project that targets rich parents who are willing to pay big bucks in the hopes of their kids becoming pro's. However, there is a residency for rich kids, and then there is a residency for invites only. And the invites only do everything for free and get the best training and education in their sport. Don't forget that IMG started as an athlete representation company, so their goal is to develop the most successful athletes in the world. I could be way off, but if you look at whats going on in Florida and Dubai, these guys are serious about developing the best athletes in every sport. They don't seem to do anything half-hearted and bet they have big plans for soccer, along with the other sports they will be developing. Just my opinion though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 The IMG Academy in Florida indeed houses the USSF residency program. However, I have a feeling that the USSF residency program will not be a permanent thing. I could see the USSF pulling out of that program in the not too distant future (5-10 years). As has been widely publicized, the USSF has launched a new initiative with a long term goal of developing strong CLUBS that follow proper development strategies. The old school notion that national bodies can develop elite players is almost completely discredited, IMO. The residency program run at the IMG Academy has definitely produced quality players but how many players have been missed because they did not get into this program. From what I have read, I think the USSF now realizes that player development is best left to clubs that prescribe to an agreed upon development strategy that focuses on skills development rather than constant travelling to tournaments, showcases, etc... This is what we need in Canada....stop hoping that the CSA creates a player development program. Rather, the pressure must be placed on the National body to create an environment that encourages/mandates soccer clubs adhere to strict protocols for player development and let the players development at their clubs. Create an environment where kids don't feel the need to drop out of soccer en masse at 16 years old (or younger) because there is nothing to play for above that age. as Piltdownman says, the IMG Academy is great for individual sports (i.e. tennis, skiing, etc...) but I don't believe this is the best way to develop Canada's best soccer players. Now, if IMG wants to create a Soccer Academy at this Victoria facility, then fine by me. it's no different than what Whitecaps are doing, which I support. I wonder, though, if IMG and the CSA already have something brewing. As we know, IMG and CSA have a marketing relationship already (a very one sided one at that....in favor of IMG). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I believe the USSF merely rents the Bradenton facilities for its residency program, it does not contract out the operation of the program to IMG. The USSF still operates the residency program itself. Same when the CSA uses the Bradenton facilities, they don't hand over the players to IMG coaching staff they just rent the facilities. Nevertheless, the more high quality facilities we have in place in Canada for developing soccer players the better for soccer in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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