SQUAMISH UNITED PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

U6

Welcome to the Squamish United U6 Program! Designed for children aged under 6 years, this program offers a fantastic introduction to the world of soccer. With a focus on fun and skill development, participants can look forward to a dynamic and engaging experience.

Throughout the season, we provide a comprehensive schedule that includes a 45-minute training session every week, ensuring players have ample opportunities to learn and practice fundamental soccer techniques. Additionally, Saturdays are game days, where participants will engage in exciting 3v3 matches and activities, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.

The program runs from September to April, offering an extensive soccer experience during the main playing season. For those eager to continue their soccer journey, an optional add-on program is available for May and June.

As the weather shifts, our program adapts. Indoor sessions take place in November, January, and February, providing a comfortable and safe environment for players to continue their skill development even during colder months.

Join us for a season filled with laughter, learning, and the joy of playing soccer. Our U6 Youth Soccer Program is the perfect starting point for young athletes to explore the sport and build a strong foundation for their future soccer endeavors.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U8

Welcome to the Squamish United U8 Program! This exciting program is tailored for children aged 7 and under, focusing on fostering a love for the beautiful game while developing essential soccer skills. Participants can expect a dynamic training experience, with one session per week lasting 60 minutes, providing ample time for skill-building, teamwork, and fun.

As part of the program, Saturdays come alive with action-packed 4v4 games, offering young players the chance to put their newly acquired skills into practice in a friendly and competitive environment. This format encourages quick decision-making, spatial awareness, and communication on the field.

Our U8 season kicks off in September and runs through April, ensuring that participants enjoy a comprehensive soccer experience throughout the fall, winter, and spring months. For those eager to continue their soccer journey, an optional add-on program is available in May and June, extending the opportunity for even more development and play.

To adapt to varying weather conditions, our program features indoor sessions during the colder months of November, January, and February. This ensures consistent training and gameplay, regardless of the outdoor elements.

Join us for a season filled with growth, camaraderie, and the joy of playing soccer. Our U8 Youth Program is designed to inspire young athletes and lay the foundation for their ongoing soccer journey.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U10 House Leauge

Welcome to the Squamish United U10 House League Program! This exciting program is designed to provide young soccer enthusiasts, aged under 10, with a fantastic blend of skill development and friendly competition. Each week, participants will engage in a dynamic 75-minute training session focused on refining their soccer techniques, teamwork, and game understanding.

The heart of the program lies in the exhilarating 5/5 or 6v6 matches that take place every Saturday, offering players the opportunity to put their skills into action in a supportive and balanced team environment. Our commitment to fairness ensures that teams are thoughtfully composed, allowing for competitive and enjoyable matches.

In addition to the primary training and game schedule, we’re thrilled to offer a second optional training session each week. This session is open to all players who wish to further enhance their soccer abilities. This extra training opportunity allows players to develop at their own pace and explore new aspects of the game.

One of our core principles is providing a positive and inclusive experience for all participants.

Join us for an action-packed season of growth, camaraderie, and soccer fun in our U10 House League Youth Program!

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U12 House Leauge

The U12 House League Program is an engaging and dynamic program designed for players aged 12 and under. This program offers a comprehensive experience that includes one weekly training session lasting 75 minutes, where participants develop fundamental soccer skills and techniques in a supportive and educational environment. In addition, players get to put their skills into action during exciting 8v8 matches held on Saturdays. The league emphasizes balanced team formations to ensure fair and competitive gameplay, fostering a positive atmosphere for skill-building and friendly competition. This program is an ideal platform for young soccer enthusiasts to enhance their abilities, build teamwork, and enjoy the thrill of the game.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U11 Development

Welcome to the Squamish United Development Program! This program is designed to provide young soccer enthusiasts with a comprehensive and engaging soccer experience that fosters skill development, teamwork, and a love for the game.

Participants in the U11 Development Program will enjoy two training sessions per week, each lasting 75 minutes each. These sessions are meticulously crafted to focus on individual skill enhancement, tactical understanding, and overall player growth. Our experienced coaches are dedicated to nurturing a positive learning environment where players can thrive and reach their full potential.

Weekends come alive with exciting 8v8 games, offering players the chance to put their newly acquired skills into action. The fast-paced, small-sided games encourage quick decision-making, creative thinking, and a deeper grasp of team dynamics.

Every team within the program consists of 10 or 11 core players who form the heart of the squad. In addition, we reserve 1-2 spots for house league players to join the team and experience the thrill of competitive play. This integration enriches the learning experience for all players, promoting camaraderie and skill-sharing across different skill levels.

Furthermore, our unique approach involves collaboration between the core team and an extended group of training players from the house league. This strategy not only enhances player interaction but also promotes healthy competition and personal growth.

Join us at the U11 Development Youth Soccer Program and embark on a journey of soccer discovery, camaraderie, and growth that will leave a lasting impact on your child’s soccer journey and overall development.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U12 Development

The Squamish United U12 Development Program offers young athletes aged 11 to 12 an immersive and comprehensive soccer experience. With a focus on skill enhancement and teamwork, participants engage in two training sessions per week, each lasting 75 minutes. These sessions are designed to foster individual growth and collective coordination. On weekends, players take part in exciting 8v8 matches, showcasing their progress and teamwork in a competitive setting.

The program structure emphasizes close-knit teams, consisting of 10 or 11 dedicated core players. Additionally, the program opens up 1-2 positions for house league players to integrate and play alongside the core team members, promoting inclusivity and camaraderie. A unique feature of the U12 Development Program is the integration of an extended training group composed of players from the house league. This arrangement not only bolsters skill development but also encourages a sense of community and shared advancement among all participants.

Through a balanced combination of focused training sessions, challenging matches, and an inclusive team dynamic, the U12 Development Program provides a platform for young players to refine their skills, cultivate a love for the game, and forge lasting friendships within a supportive soccer community.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U13-U18 Select Program

Welcome to the Squamish United U13-U18 Select Program! This program is designed to provide an elevated level of training and competition for young soccer enthusiasts aged between 13 and 18 years old. Our commitment to excellence drives us to maintain select teams across all age groups, ensuring each player receives the best possible soccer experience.

In cases where player numbers are lower for certain age groups, we may create combined teams to maximize participation and foster a supportive team environment. Recognizing the value of focused development, we implement a meticulous selection process to determine the final roster spots. This process ensures that each chosen player is not only skilled but also aligned with our program’s dedication to sportsmanship, growth, and teamwork. Join us in this exciting journey of soccer development and achievement.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

U13-U18 Additional Training

Squamish United offers enhanced development opportunities for soccer players. Participants have the option to engage in various soccer activities on their own or as supplementary training. These activities include:

  1. Drop-In Sessions: Open to players not actively enrolled in the Select Program, these sessions provide a chance to refine skills and benefit from specialized coaching.

  2. Extra Training : (Third Weekly Session): This option adds an extra training session per week, focusing on skill advancement and tactical understanding.

  3. Academy: (Spring and Summer): In addition to regular season training, participants can access specialized training during the Spring and Summer months to further elevate their playing abilities.

  4. Goalkeeping Clinics: Exclusive clinics designed specifically for goalkeepers, enabling them to hone their unique skills under expert guidance.

These additional training opportunities cater to a wide range of developmental needs, ensuring that participants can choose the activities that align with their goals and ambitions within the sport of soccer.

For more information please contact our Technical Director at technicaldirector@squamishunited.ca

CANADA SOCCER Long term PLAYER development (LTPD) PATHWAY

Canada Soccer LTPD Pathway Explained here:

The Canada Soccer Long-Term Player Development model (LTPD) is a model of athlete development that parallels what doctors and psychologists have long used to better understand human development: as a series of distinct stages, which take us from infancy through adulthood. A person’s abilities, behaviour and emotions, as well as their understanding of the world around them, varies from stage to stage.

Similarly, experts in sport science have identified seven stages of development—each with its own physical and psychological characteristics—that form the basis for LTPD. When young soccer players are able to train and compete in an environment that’s appropriate to their stage of development, they not only perform at their best, they also have more fun.

In other words, LTPD is designed to give players an optimal soccer experience at every stage by putting their needs front and centre.

We don’t expect kids to compete in spelling bees without first teaching them their ABCs. When activities and expectations don’t match with a child’s developmental stage, this can set them up for failure.

The same is true when young children are thrust into a soccer environment that over-emphasizes winning at the expense of developing skills and having fun. The negative consequences can last a lifetime: Some kids develop bad habits and poor skills and can become discouraged. Many don’t achieve their performance potential. Others end up leaving the sport altogether because they don’t enjoy the game.

(Canada Soccer)