They are in Vernon to learn “The Whitecaps Way.”
After two years of an exclusive Thompson Okanagan FC pre-season training camp, Whitecap academies from Prince George and the Kootenays are being included in the four-day mix at Marshall Field.
“This is the first year we’ve added a game component,” said Vernon’s David Broadhurst, head coach of the Okanagan academy. “We’ve looked to evolve the camp each year and how we could improve. What the teams need in the pre-season is games. They’ve (Northern and Kootenay groups) been training in the daytime and they’re playing games against TOFC teams in the evening.”
A total of 11 TOFC teams (81 players) from ages 13-18 are registered. UBCO Heat women’s head coach Craig Smith is among the guest coaches. There are 81 players registered. The Kootenay academy has athletes from Nelson and Cranbrook.
“The players know there are college recruiters here,” said Broadhurst. “It’s a great opportunity for us to look at some players from the Interior who we wouldn’t necessarily get to see, and see if they should be playing for TOFC if it’s appropriate.
“It’s also a good opportunity for those players from outside this area to get a feel for what the BCSPL (EA Sports B.C. Soccer Premier League) is all about.”
The teams received classroom instruction and went through a series of Whitecap drills before game nights. The TOFC teams are playing against older teams from Prince George and the Kootenays for a more competitive game.
TOFC general manager Kai Tolpinrud was ecstatic about the high-level training environment.
“The partnership between Thompson Okanagan FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC provides players in the area with the highest level of coaching, along with unparalleled coach development opportunities for TOFC coaches,” said Tolpinrud. “In addition to Whitecaps coaching staff, our players have received training this week from WFC Women’s REX Elite program coach Maia Vink, UBCO women’s head coach Craig Smith, WFC Academies head Brett Adams, and more. We are so fortunate to have these resources at our disposal for the benefit and development of our players. This is the ideal situation for our coaches and players to prepare for the upcoming BCSPL season.”
The BCSPL league starts Sept. 9.