MONTREAL – On the occasion of the club’s first ever Members’ General Assembly, the Montreal Impact announced the creation of its Pre-Academy program, a 5-team expansion of the Academy (U8, U9, U10, U11 and U12) within the club’s existing structure at the U13, U14, U16, U18, U23 and professional levels, bringing the total of teams within the organization to 11.
The Pre-Academy will officially start in April 2014. It is possible to register for tryouts on February 22 and 23, 2014, at Stade Hebert, in St. Leonard, by clicking here.
"The arrival of these new teams will have fantastic repercussions on soccer in Quebec," said Impact president Joey Saputo. "This means that a player with potential could start wearing Impact colours as early as the age of seven. He will be able to develop and grow under our supervision over a number of years, in order to one day join the Academy, and have the chance to graduate to the professional ranks after having spent nearly a dozen years with the club."
“We are very pleased to have these Pre-Academy teams in place,” declared Academy director Philippe Eullaffroy. “We want to give young players, 8 to 12 years old, a chance to live an entire season in an environment of values put in place by the club and the Academy. We aim to provide these youngsters with life experience through principles of the game and education.”
The teams will train all year long with a dedicated coach for each age group, with the best and most up-to-date equipment and training facilities available.
The Impact Academy and Pre-Academy:
- 190 players make up the 10 youth teams (U23, U18, U16, U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, U9, U8);
- An environment focused on community and a spirit of healthy competition;
- An institution founded on respect, honour and pride.
- Match the goals of each individual: passion, will to progress and determination
Training will take place on the synthetic field at Stade Saputo from April to October, and at the Marie-Victorin sports complex from November through April, but also at Stade Hebert from January to April.
In order to place a greater focus on player development rather than results, the teams will not be competing within any specific league. Friendly matches against teams from the different regional associations around Quebec, specifically those of Montreal-Concordia, as well as some tournaments, will be on the program throughout the year.
The U8 team will be made up of 12 players (5-aside soccer) while the U9 and U10s will have 15 players on its roster. All teams will train three times a week for a total of 180 hours of practice and games.
As for the U11 and U12 teams, 18 and 20 players respectively will be selected, training four times a week for a total of 249 hours per year.
Each player will be provided full training and game day gear for a total value of $300. In addition, players will be given discounted rates on adidas shoes.
Keep in mind that the Impact Academy was established in November 2010, including a sport-etudes program unique to Canada. The program developed for the Academy is based on the annual school cycle, according to the principles and values on the pitch established by the Montreal Impact.
