Richard Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Toronto FC have called a press conference for December 19 at which details will be unveiled on a 'new initiative that will help support the growth and development of Canadian soccer'. Present will be Tom Anselmi, Executive V.P, COO, MLSE, Guy Bradbury, CEO, OSA, Toronto FC Academy Director Mike Matkovich, and Toronto FC captain Jim Brennan. Should be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I'm nervous when i see Bradbury at the head table. I really prefer that this has nothing to do with the OSA, unless they are simply announcing that the Academy will be housed up at the vaughn soccer center Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 quote:Originally posted by VPjr I'm nervous when i see Bradbury at the head table. I really prefer that this has nothing to do with the OSA, unless they are simply announcing that the Academy will be housed up at the vaughn soccer center Kind of agree. I hope that this is the kind of initiative that spearheaded by TFC and supported by the OSC rather than the other ways around ( eg.: OSC facilities, personele and resources supported financially by MLSEL). The former offers hope and fresh perspective of how to do things. The later, is nothing more than throwing money to keep doing whats been done which so far has yielded only one WC appearance by Canada in its entire history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Free kick Kind of agree. I hope that this is the kind of initiative that spearheaded by TFC and supported by the OSC rather than the other ways around ( eg.: OSC facilities, personele and resources supported financially by MLSEL). The former offers hope and fresh perspective of how to do things. The later, is nothing more than throwing money to keep doing whats been done which so far has yielded only one WC appearance by Canada in its entire history. could not agree with you more. IMO, the provincial bodies (like the OSA) are redundant leeches and offer no value. to include them in an initiative like the launch of the TFC academy worries me. The OSA has no place at that head table. TFC should just build its own facilities and hire its own people. Lord knows MLSE has the funds to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Spiers Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Let's take a look at this from a different perspective. Whether you like it or not, the OSA is mandated to enter Provincial Teams in the U-14 and U-16 National All-Stars. At the older ages, the OSA works with the CSA to operate the National Training Centre - Ontario. In both cases, we are looking for the best players in Ontario. TFC is also looking for the best players in Ontario for their Academy. Doesn't it make sense that we would co-operate in these areas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Bill Spiers Let's take a look at this from a different perspective. Whether you like it or not, the OSA is mandated to enter Provincial Teams in the U-14 and U-16 National All-Stars. At the older ages, the OSA works with the CSA to operate the National Training Centre - Ontario. In both cases, we are looking for the best players in Ontario. TFC is also looking for the best players in Ontario for their Academy. Doesn't it make sense that we would co-operate in these areas? Point taken. But if our international results haven't been what many have wished then maybe the reason for that is because they have not been all that successfull in, in your words, " looking for ( and finding )the best players in Ontario." TFC with professional trained and paid staff along with player resouces with pro experience in the UK and Europe might bring a new and fresh perspective and ideas in how to go about doing this task. or more importantly might have some valuable ideas of the kind of skills you need to excell as nation and as a pro player. The staus quo has been tried and I am not sure that additonal $$$ to the status quo will make a really meaningful difference. Thats why I am concerned by the notion of having TFC provide the $$$ and the soccer bodies continuing along as they have been but only adding a little more shine. Seemingly. in the rest of the world, the clubs prettty much do their own stuff irrespective of the national bodies. The national bodies just benefit from the fruit of their ( clubs) labour. Wouldn't that be best for Canada? Also, the OSC is accountable to only Ontario players. what about talent outside Ontario that might be on interest to TFC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 I would be very surprised if TFC piggy backs off of the NTC - Ontario. If anything it'll probably mean that TFC uses the OSC as was mentioned earlier. But TFC will pick their own kids, Mike Matkovich is not getting into this so he can delegate his biggest responsibility... BTW, press conference postponed until the new year... ATTN: ALL MEDIA Due to the holiday season, today’s scheduled news conference at BMO Field to announce details about the Toronto FC Academy has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled in the new year to accommodate more media outlet attendance. We apologize for any inconvenience this postponement may have caused. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 The rule changes yesterday led to an about face, the announcement will be that the 'academy' will be based in Bradenton FL, focussing on finding young American players. The suits from the OSA retreat back into their comfortable confines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmynow Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 hey Ed, love your negativity. Keep it up. negative people make the world go round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest speedmonk42 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 quote:Originally posted by jimmynow hey Ed, love your negativity. Keep it up. negative people make the world go round. Sarcastic, not negative. He's cool. Welcome to the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Bill Spiers Let's take a look at this from a different perspective. Whether you like it or not, the OSA is mandated to enter Provincial Teams in the U-14 and U-16 National All-Stars. At the older ages, the OSA works with the CSA to operate the National Training Centre - Ontario. In both cases, we are looking for the best players in Ontario. TFC is also looking for the best players in Ontario for their Academy. Doesn't it make sense that we would co-operate in these areas? Bill Does the OSA "look" for the best players in the province or do they just field teams made up of the best players interested in trying out for these so called All Star teams. I know for a fact that many top players in the province make no effort to be part of OSA All-Star teams, for various reasons (cost being one of them). From what I am told, the enthusiasm to be part of the OSA provincial teams is not what it once was. There are some interesting threads on Ontario Soccer Web that detail the BS involved with the OSA provincial teams. In my opinion, The OSA should have no involvement in fielding teams at any level. I know the OSA is required to field a squad but if i were Guy Bradbury, the first thing I'd do is pull the OSA out of the business of fielding such All Star programs. I personally believe the provincial bodies are a redundant level of bureacracy but if they need to exist, they should only serve an administrative and support function. What does the OSA bring to the table that can't be accomplished just as effectively at the club level (assuming the clubs have quality coaching). There are SAAC academies with more highly accredited coaches than the OSA employs. I'm not cheerleading for SAAC...these are just facts. Furthermore, its probably best if the NTC program is not discussed as something positive that the OSA is involved with. I've spoken to several young men who have been part of the NTC program....the feedback is far from glowing. That program has been a bust. The CSA / the Provinces should have taken the resources thrown at the NTC program and instead, they should have taken a leadership role in pushing/cajoling/encouraging the clubs to become more invested in improving the quality of player development at the club level and instilling a better development philosophy. An open age "major junior" elite league (u23) would have been far more fruitful than the NTC program has been. TFC should just do whatever they are going to do ON THEIR OWN. I suspect they can easily afford the insurance that is needed to travel players around the province/country/into the US, if that's what they choose to do. By the way, what is the difference between SAAC and the TFC Academy in the eyes of the OSA? why is the TFC Academy OK in the eyes of the OSA and SAAC isn't? Is it because TFC isn't likely going to charge players and SAAC does? Just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick titus Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 OSA and TFC. Kinda scary man!!! I hope it works out for all involved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 TFC have a page on their site for their Academy now. http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/youth/academy/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 quote:Originally posted by jpg75 I would be very surprised if TFC piggy backs off of the NTC - Ontario. If anything it'll probably mean that TFC uses the OSC as was mentioned earlier. But TFC will pick their own kids, Mike Matkovich is not getting into this so he can delegate his biggest responsibility... BTW, press conference postponed until the new year... ATTN: ALL MEDIA Due to the holiday season, today’s scheduled news conference at BMO Field to announce details about the Toronto FC Academy has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled in the new year to accommodate more media outlet attendance. We apologize for any inconvenience this postponement may have caused. Thank you. Why does it take so long to set up an academy? Don't they just need a coach and some youth soccer players? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Rumours are that the real reason for the cancellation was that there was a lack of media interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 quote:Originally posted by VPjr TFC have a page on their site for their Academy now. http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/youth/academy/ So are they doing any scouting or do they expect to have enough talent just show up to tryouts? Whitecaps managed to get a couple kids from Quebec who had been with academies in France and even a kid from Jamaica. I don't think these guys just showed up for try-outs. As far as I know there's no salary cap in MLS on scouts. They should be signing guys like Rick Titus to scout the area and go down to T&T. That could be a huge talent pool where Toronto could pick-up some great young players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 It also appears that the TFC Academy is not a residency like the Whitecaps. Probably why the Caps can go get a Jamaican and players from Quebec and Toronto. The fact that the TFC academy players (to be fair, they say in year one) is not a residency is disappointing and means they will only draw locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 22, 2007 Author Share Posted December 22, 2007 "Why does it take so long to set up an academy? Don't they just need a coach and some youth soccer players?" Even a community recreation level team needs more planning and preparation than that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Richard "Why does it take so long to set up an academy? Don't they just need a coach and some youth soccer players?" Even a community recreation level team needs more planning and preparation than that! But this is not a community level recreation team. MLSE is a huge corporation, with many resources. The club is entering it's third year(second season), ,so you can't tell me it's acceptable that it has take almost three years to set up an academy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 22, 2007 Author Share Posted December 22, 2007 quote:Originally posted by RJB But this is not a community level recreation team. MLSE is a huge corporation, with many resources. The club is entering it's third year(second season), ,so you can't tell me it's acceptable that it has take almost three years to set up an academy. That wasn't my point - I was responding to the poster who believed all that was necessary to set up an academy was a coach and some players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 I agree with Richard....establishing an academy takes time. I'd rather they take their time and get it right. I know we are very anxious to hear news...the offseason is long...but I think if we have waited this long, another 2 weeks for a proper announcement is not unreasonable. I do agree that it is VERY disappointing that this is not a residency program, especially at the U17-U18 level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Richard That wasn't my point - I was responding to the poster who believed all that was necessary to set up an academy was a coach and some players. I know Richard, I was that poster. [] I understand that there is a lot involved here, but we need to be honest with ourselves, and start asking why this is taking so long. This is not two brothers starting a beer league team, but in fact a well oiled machine that is sputtering. All I hear is how great MLSE is, but when it's taking them three years to establish a few youth teams, people are crying about how these things take time! What takes time!? In all truths, what is needed to establish an academy? Don't say things like, 'but we want it done right' because that goes without saying. I maintain, that this could have been done a long time ago. The apathy that MLSE and TFC seem to be showing this project makes it clear to me that they are only doing this because they have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 23, 2007 Author Share Posted December 23, 2007 As I recall they were not required by MLS to start an academy until their second year of operation. They are doing just that. What more do you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 There is at least one reason for getting the OSA/CSA involved. When a professional club has an academy, it intends to derive value from that academy. For the most part, value in an academy comes from the value added to each academy player through improved playing ability. If the club is going to get any of that value in exchange for the investment made, contractual player rights must show that the club has an interest in the playing rights of the player in question. In order for that to be clear, the OSA and the CSA also needs to recognize that interest because they are the links to FIFA. The value accumulated in a young player is only realized when that player is sold or when that player contributes significantly to the success of the first team. At present, the MLS does not generate much value so in the case of TFC, they will need to be sure that they maintain their interest in a player when they are sold internationally. That means that the nature of young player contracts with the club and what term lengths are possible will have a bearing on the club's level of investment in academies. I suspect a lot of that remains at issue. The MLS structure (single entity) must be troublesome when it comes to the viability of team academies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 On residential academies, on a very small percentage of young players stay in residential programs outside of the very big international clubs. Most youth players interact with academies on amateur contracts (to maintain academy interest in the player) and travel to and from the academy from their home. Many will bring the players together for short periods (prior to tournaments, etc.)but only for short periods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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