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MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Add Four Players to Residency Program

January 18, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the additions of midfielder/striker Mathew Chow, striker Parker Ellis, midfielder/defender Jeevin Kang, and midfielder Liam Elbourne to the club's Residency program. Chow, Ellis, and Kang become the first players signed to the Whitecaps FC Residency program from the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL), while Elbourne is the first Residency player from the Maritimes.

"The EA SPORTS BCSPL is a very important part of our development structure," said Richard Grootscholten, Whitecaps FC Residency technical director and head coach. "Our partnership with BC Soccer and the BCSPL clubs provides a direct path for players from British Columbia to progress in their development and the additions of Mathew, Parker, and Jeevin are great examples of this."

"It's also very pleasing to have Liam join the program," added Grootscholten. "We first look to develop players from BC, but if there is a Canadian player that will complement our program from outside our province we will not hesitate to bring them in as well."

Chow, 15, joins the Residency U-16 team after playing the inaugural mini-season of the EA SPORTS BCSPL with the U-16 team of Fusion FC - a collaboration between Vancouver Youth Soccer Association and Richmond Youth Soccer Association (RYSA). Prior to last year, the Vancouver, BC, native played his youth soccer career with RYSA. Additionally, Chow has been a member of the BC Soccer Provincial Teams program at the U-15 level.

Ellis, 15, joins the Residency U-16 squad after playing in the BCSPL with the U-16 team of Mountain United FC - a collaboration between Burnaby District Youth Soccer Association, North Shore Youth Soccer Association, and North District Girls Soccer Association. Prior to that, Ellis played with Mountain FC in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Super Y-League, as well as with Burnaby Selects Soccer Club and South Burnaby Metro Club. The Burnaby, BC, native has also played in the BC Soccer Provincial Teams program at the U-13 and U-15 levels, as well as with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) National Training Centre (NTC) program. Ellis is also familiar with the 'Caps youth set-up. Last year, the striker participated in the Whitecaps FC Residency Combine, and in 2008 he toured the Netherlands with the Whitecaps FC U-13 Prospects.

Kang, 15, joins the Residency U-14 roster after most recently playing for the Surrey United U-15 squad in the BCSPL. Prior to his time in the BCSPL, the native of Surrey, BC, played for Surrey Guildford United Metro, where he won a provincial championship in 2010. Kang was also a member of the BC Soccer Provincial Teams Program at the U-13 and U-14 levels, as well as the CSA NTC program.

"After only a short mini-season, already we're seeing the benefits of the EA SPORTS BCSPL," said Paul Mullen, BC Soccer director of operations and partnership manager for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer relationship. "This is great news for the future of the league and a fantastic moment for BC Soccer, Whitecaps FC, and of course for the players, because in the end it's all about the players."

"Our goal is to have a positive impact on the development of youth soccer in British Columbia through the EA SPORTS BCSPL partnership," added Matt Bilbey, vice president and general manager of soccer, EA SPORTS. "As we get set to launch the first full season of the EA SPORTS BCSPL in February, the future of soccer in the province is definitely bright."

Elbourne, 16, will join Chow and Ellis on the Residency U-16 squad after playing his youth soccer career with Halifax City Soccer Club. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native has been a part of the Soccer Nova Scotia Provincial Teams program from U-13 to U-16, while additionally playing with Team Atlantic and with the CSA NTC-Atlantic program. Elbourne has also travelled overseas to train with the academies of such renowned English clubs as Leeds United, Middleborough FC, and Newcastle United.

"Liam has worked tremendously hard for this opportunity with Whitecaps FC," said Daniel Worthington, high performance director for Soccer Nova Scotia. "This is a credit to our programs in Atlantic Canada and I think that this will act as a catalyst for other players to strive towards their future goals in the game. We are delighted for Liam and his family and wish him the best of luck for his future."

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