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Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League have announced a partnership with Alberta Soccer which will work as a collaboration in continuing to support the growth of youth soccer across Alberta.
Since the club’s inauguration five years ago, Cavalry FC have created a strong community and pathway structure for young soccer players across the province. In partnering with Alberta Soccer, the two organizations will work closely to provide further opportunities for athletes across Alberta to gain access to developing their talent in a professional environment without having to go far from home.
The partnership will see several programs created between both sides, such as both player and coaching development programs, and the club will use the AYSL scouting system to identify local players. Cavalry FC work with local minor soccer clubs in Calgary and their players to provide opportunities and a pathway into professional soccer, which will now expand across Alberta. As a club, Cavalry have witnessed several players progress through their youth system to the first team, such as Victor Loturi, Aribim Pepple, Gareth Smith-Doyle, and many others.
“We are very excited to partner with Alberta Soccer as we continue to support in the development of youth soccer in Alberta,” says Leon Hapgood, Assistant Coach, Cavalry FC & Technical Director, Cavalry FC U21. “As the landscape of soccer in Canada evolves, we want to
extend our support to our own provincial governing body to help the continued growth of the game from the grassroots level to through to the professional game. Our mission is to provide learning experiences throughout each level of the pyramid that caters for each age and stage of the game we love and in turn continue to foster the dreams of young Canadians.”
By breaking down barriers and allowing for local players to reach professional soccer at home in Alberta, the two organizations will work together to align the youth high-performance pathway and system. This has been achieved so far through the newly formed League1 Alberta Exhibition Series, which features Cavalry FC U21, which allows players to develop in a semi-professional environment, ultimately guiding them to the professional level. Outside of the defined professional pathway, Cavalry FC holds several initiatives within the community to allow for youth to learn and develop through educational programs, and clinics around Alberta. Over the past five years, Cavalry FC have held soccer clinics and camps across Calgary, Red Deer, and Banff, and will expand across the province as they work with Alberta Soccer as part of their grassroots initiative. The club have also held numerous school visits through the Lucy Tries Soccer School Program, and educational programs around teaching young kids all sorts of skills and abilities while understanding the importance of teamwork and working together as one.
In identifying young local talent, Cavalry FC and Alberta Soccer will work with individual athletes in providing them with a professional environment which will allow for them to develop their skills and abilities and learn from some of the highest credited coaches and players across the province. These coaches will work with local youth clubs across Alberta, eventually leading youth into a U21 program which will be fully funded and full-time, which will ultimately guide players to the professional level.
“The Alberta Soccer Association partnership with Cavalry FC creates a vital piece of the player pathway in Alberta,” says Jason Blake, Technical Director, Alberta Soccer Association. “Cavalry FC will work collaboratively with players, coaches, and clubs to identify and help develop players towards the professional level of soccer in Alberta. In addition to enhanced player programming, Cavalry will provide grassroots player and coach engagement activities throughout the province.”
Together, Cavalry FC and Alberta Soccer will identify young players and provide them with the development programs held by Cavalry FC and Alberta Soccer, ultimately breaking down barriers and allowing for youth across Alberta to gain the opportunity to achieve their dreams. As a collaboration, the partnership will push to get young players to the highest professional level and give young Albertans the opportunity to achieve their dreams, defining success.
