FC VICTORIA ESTABLISHES UK ACADEMY LINK

Formal Affiliation Agreement Inked with Sheffield Wednesday FC Acadmey

Marv Diercks, President of FC Victoria Soccer Academy and Sean McAuley, Academy Manager of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club announced the formal signing of an Academy Affiliation Agreement earlier this week from the Middlewood Training Ground in Sheffield, England. The agreement follows a two year relationship between the two academies and establishes a network for expanded programming for FC Victoria.

"This is a really exciting part of the relationship between the two clubs", noted Diercks. "We're delighted to not only consolidate but expand on the affiliation we already have with Sheffield Wednesday. We are the only academy in Western Canada to enjoy such a relationship with a UK club and that is something we are very proud of."

PROFESSIONAL TRIALS PROGRAM EVOLVES
Dave Dew, Technical Director for FC Victoria is confident that the affiliation between the two academies will generate benefits for both sides. "We will continue to bring players into Sheffield Wednesday to give them the opportunity of making the standard required in England", he said. "In addition, the players and coaches of Sheffield Wednesday will come to Canada to help elevate the standard in our game, which has really taken off over the past couple of years."

Sheffield Wednesday Academy Manager, Sean McAuley, is pleased to develop the relationship as his recruitment network widens. "We always say we want the best players and the more options we have, the better", noted McAuley. "As well as bringing players into our academy, we will also have the chance to develop our own players over there. We'll be taking teams across to Canada to experience a different part of the world but who share the same philosophies as us and that can only be good news for all parties concerned."

FC Victoria's recent track record with the UK club has been outstanding. In a recent two year span, FC Victoria has been instrumental in the placement of the following soccer players on professional trials with Sheffield Wednesday FC:

Reid Fraser (Victoria, BC) - offered a two year youth contract with Sheffield Wednesday Academy (recently signed letter of intent to play in the NCAA Div 1 Soccer with UCSB, a top 10 team in the US)

Keegan Ayre (Vancouver, BC) - after training with Sheffield Wednesday, was recommended to Hibernian Saints (Scottish Premier League), and is now on loan to Berwick Rangers (Scottish Second Division)

Mike D'Agostino (Langley, BC) - after trial with Sheffield Wednesday, was recommended to Blackpool (League One), and is now on loan to Cheltenham (League Two)

Matsumi Turnbull (Richmond, BC) - was offered a trial at Sheffield Wednesday (May, 2007)

Nathan Phalen (Victoria, BC)(pictured far left) - is currently training with Sheffield Wednesday Academy

SUMMER TEAMS TRYOUTS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 4th
A reminder that trials for the FC Victoria Summer Teams Program is less than a week away. It's not too late to sign up. Check out our Summer Teams page for information or go direct to our Registration page to sign up now. Summer teams at FC Victoria is inclusive of a new mini's program for boys, 11 aside programs for girls and boys competing in the inaugural Interclub Exhibition Soccer Series and our FC Victoria Stars u21 PCL Women's Team.