Montreal Impact Consolidates Development Pyramid
Published on November 17, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - With just 16 months from a debut in Major League Soccer (MLS), the Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday a unique player development structure in Canada with the creation of three new youth teams (U14, U15, and U16) as part of its Academy, as well as the founding of a sport-études program in partnership with Ãdouard-Montpetit high school, which is part of the Commission scolaire de Montréal.
These three teams, made up of over 70 new players, will complement the U21 reserve team which is already in place.
"This is a very special day in the history of the Montreal Impact," said Impact and Saputo Stadium president Joey Saputo. "With the addition of these three teams and the founding of the sport-études program, we are putting a unique structure in place that will guarantee the development of local players for our club. It is a substantial and necessary investment to better develop our future. We will put all the necessary resources at the players' disposal, for both human and professional growth. We are proud to be partners with Ãdouard-Montpetit, an institution that is at the forefront of academics and sport."
The sport program of the Academy will be developed over a 11-month annual cycle, with the guidelines and philosophies of the club. The three new teams will be double-upgraded (will play two age categories higher) and will play in the Quebec Elite Soccer League. The Academy players will be under the supervision of Philippe Eullaffroy, the Montreal Impact director of development and head coach of the U21 team.
"With the MLS around the corner, we are putting in place a structure that will guarantee the future success of our team," said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. "This structure will allow young Quebec players to become a part of the Impact early on and will give them the chance to play at the highest level. All the Impact teams will be as important as the first team and we will do all we can to help them succeed."
"The new structure is excellent news for the advancement of soccer in Quebec," said Quebec Soccer Federation president Dino Madonis. "The federation, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, is excited to be able to work in collaboration with the Impact on this new project. The addition of professional expertise to our amateur structure already in place, will improve the quality and quantity of elite level players in Quebec. Furthermore, it will help with their development and provide an opportunity to be professionals here."
At the start of the school year, in fall of 2011, the Academy will select players aged 12 to 16 that will be obliged to take part in sport-études at Ãdouard-Montpetit, which will be free for most of the years. The program will allow student-athletes to benefit from a schedule that will support training and competition, all in an environment where academics will be the priority. A boarding arrangement will also be set up in order to house players who will come from outside the greater Montreal region. An agreement has also been reached with Lester B. Pearson high school for English-speaking students.
"We are very proud to be partners with the Montreal Impact," said Mario Héroux, director of Ãdouard-Montpetit high school. "We have two missions: the exemplary education of each student and the development of high level athletes. With the Impact and Major League Soccer (MLS), we can now offer these players the possibility of a pro career; an extraordinary feat. Ãdouard-Montpetit is an educational institution that has been at the forefront of sport and studies for over 30 years, and we are starting a new chapter."
Tryouts for the sport-études program is scheduled for November 27 and 28, as well as December 27 and 28 at the Centre d'activités physiques et communautaires de l'Est, located near Marie-Victorin College, in Montreal. An open tryout will also be held in Quebec City on December 29 in order to facilitate the travel of out of region players. Registration can be done by phone at 514-328-3668 (ext. 240) or by visiting the club's website at edsimpactmontreal.com.
"We are inviting all young players born between 1995 and 1999 who dream to play with Montreal in MLS, to register to these tryouts," said Impact development director Philippe Eullaffroy. "They will have the chance to show their motivation, their passion and their talent, to maybe one make from soccer their career."
THE IMPACT ACADEMY IN BRIEF:
> 100 players split among 4 teams (U21, U16, U15, U14);
> Over 250 practices per year and over 50 games;
> The U21 Academy team will remain the reserve team for the Impact;
> An environment that focuses on a collective experience within a spirit of competition;
> An institution founded on respect, honour and pride;
> Tryouts: November 27 and 28, December 27 and 28, in Montreal. In Quebec City: December 29.
ADMISSION REQUIRMENTS IN BRIEF:
> Must live in Quebec and must have been born between 1995 and 1999;
> Must have an average higher than 65% in math and in French and a minimum of 75% average overall.
> Must pass both tryout selection stages: the tryout as well as the finale selection;
> Must correspond to the individual profile sought by the club: motivation, passion and talent.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from November 17, 2010
- Montreal Impact Consolidates Development Pyramid - Montreal Impact
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