VANUFC Programs & Academies
Vancouver United FC offers a variety of programs and academies for all ages. Check out the information below:
First Kicks U4 - U8 Program
Programs for players age 4 - 7
VanU FC’s philosophy for the U4 to U8 First Kicks Program is to develop a passion for the game and love of the ball. To achieve this, we need to create as many opportunities as possible for every player to touch the ball. We start with a strong but fun emphasis on physical literacy and then progress to ball literacy and finally game literacy. Parents are a big part of the success of this program but staff coaches are there at every session to ensure session plans are followed and everyone’s having fun! U4 and U5 players can sign up for fall, winter and/or spring sessions while U6 to U8 have a combined fall/winter session and another in the spring.
House Program U9 - U10 Program
Programs for players age 8 - 9
Players are now on formal teams and play regular league games every week against other VanU teams their age and gender. Staff coach support is still very present, working with players and team coaches and the emphasis is still on learning and fun. Teams may play on mix of grass and artificial turf as the weather changes. Our game formats for these ages are compliant with CSA and BC Soccer guidelines on small sided games.
Divisional Program
Programs for players age 10 - 17 (U11 to U18)
Divisional play for all clubs starts at U11. Teams are affiliated through our District (VYSA - Vancouver Youth Soccer Association) into divisions in the BC Coastal Soccer League (BCCSL). Every age and level from Metro to Div 3 plays in BCCSL except U11 and U12 Div 3 boys and girls teams. Their league is organized more locally by VYSA. VanU teams now play more widely against teams from other clubs in Vancouver and surrounding areas.
VanU offers support for divisional teams through VanU Team Support (VTS) which sees staff coaches work with every teams at least three times and, where scheduling permits, up to four times at training and at up to two games.
There are no standings for U11 and U12 play as per the CSA’s Long Term Player Development model but standings, league championships and Cup play begin at U13 when teams move from playing 8 a side at U11 and U12 to 11 a side on full size fields.
Academy Program
Programs for U9 - U13 players
The popular VanU Academy is open to all U9 to U13 players regardless of experience or the level they are playing at. Our Goalkeeper Academy is open to U9 to U14 players. U11 and U12 Div 1 teams in the VanU+ program are automatically enrolled in Academy for the Fall and Winter sessions. U13 players in the VanU+ program are entered in the Fall Academy. VanU+ program fees include registration fees so no additional payment is necessary.
We offer Academy three times per year with twelve session in the fall and eight in the winter and spring. Space is limited and age groups often fill up. The VanU Academy for players is on Mondays and is held at UBC on Warren and Woods fields in fall and winter and at University Hill Secondary Turf in the spring. Our Goalkeeper Academy runs on Wednesdays with session at UBC Warren in the fall and winter and at Jericho Turf in the fall. Same number of sessions in each term as the VanU Academy.
Players are expected to wear the VanU Academy kits. You do not need to purchase it each time you register if you already have it but first time registrants and those who have outgrown or lost their kit need to buy kit when they register. Please note that generally some age groups fill up and are closed to registration when we get to that point.
About the Vancouver United Football Club
VanU is one of the largest soccer clubs in the Lower Mainland with over 3000 boys and girls from the ages of three to 17 playing at the U4 to U18 levels from the Vancouver area.