Whitecaps increase their reach — establish academy in Prince George, B.C.

Fifteen days after the Vancouver Whitecaps announced a new academy project in Saskatoon, the club has announced a plan to partner with youth soccer in Prince George, B.C. and create a new Northern Academy.

The move will give the Whitecaps six “hubs” from which to identify and nurture talent. And, of course, this begs the question, why isn’t Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact Academies doing the same thing? The Whitecaps now have five hubs in B.C., from Victoria to the Kootenays — and a footprint in Saskatchewan. FC Edmonton looks to have dibs on Alberta. So, when will TFC and Montreal expand their reach? While TFC won’t want to necessarily stand on the toes of the Ottawa Fury in Eastern Ontario, it needs to work with Ontario soccer partners — admittedly, cooperation is an area in which TFC has struggled in the past — and develop hubs in northern Ontario, southwestern Ontario and near the border. Meanwhile, Montreal could have all of Quebec and the Eastern provinces from which to choose.

But, as it stands, only the Whitecaps are putting flags in the ground.

“We’re very pleased to launch this Northern academy centre in Prince George and are very appreciative of the support and opportunity to partner with PGYSA. ” said Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC director of soccer development, in a release issued by the club. “Whitecaps FC have a lot of respect for the work that PGYSA have done in the community, and with its programming over the years. We feel that by working together we can help grow the game in Prince George and across Northern B.C. with the hopes of also providing further opportunities for local players.”

Canada has not done well when it comes to identifying talent outside of Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal — which traditionally send the majority of players to the national sides. We need to become as meticulous as hockey’s junior leagues, the NHL and Hockey Canada when it comes to finding players in far-flung places. Imagine if hockey was scouted the same way as soccer? No kids from Cole Harbour, N.S. or Brantford, Ont. or Floral, Sask. would make the cut. The Whitecaps, to their credit, have realized that, in a country as large as Canada, having one sole academy in Vancouver isn’t the answer.

And, for parents nervous about enrolling kids in an Academy which will require their sons to make long trips away from home, the Whitecaps have created a system which makes it easier for them. Instead of bringing kids to the Academy, is it not more progressive to bring the Academy to the kids?