More than 90 players turn out for Whitecaps FC Kootenay Academy at Lakeside Pitch
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Lakeside soccer pitch was filled with players eager to be part of the Whitecaps FC Kootenay Academy as evaluators looked at girls and boys from 10 to 18 years of age during tryouts Wednesday.
More than 90 players attended the second day of the two-day evaluation session headed up by Dave Spendlove of Soccer Quest.
The Whitecaps FC Kootenay Academy is an opportunity for youth soccer players from throughout the Kootenays to be part of regional teams in four divisions — U12, U14, U16 and U18 — in girls and boys.
The program runs from September to April, with a winter break in December.
Teams train eight times during the season at the Soccer Quest facility in Nelson.
There are four Showcase tournaments each team will attend.
During the season players receive monthly visits from Whitecaps FC staff led by Whitecaps Okanagan Regional Head Coach David Broadhurst; fulltime Soccer Quest staff working with approved Whitecaps FC Academy curriculum; and opportunities to be part of a larger scouting network and greater exposure to college/university and professional opportunities.
The Nelson evaluation sessions included players from throughout the West Kootenay.
Last week Soccer Quest staff held a camp at Moir Soccer Complex in Cranbrook for East Kootenay players.
Soccer Quest coaches will contact successful candidates in the near future.
