As a CSA Club License holder (https://canadasoccer.com/play-landing/club-licensing-program/national-youth-club-licence-holders/) our club is excited about being able to offer our players an environment which will allow them to discover and fall in love with the game of soccer.

Skills Center Tournament Opportunities

In addition to the training programming, which will take place on weekends (please see day and times below) from September 2025 to March 2026, we will also be offering a tournament outlets where players can take part in various local tournaments: Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas break, Early March and potential to a few other local add ons (extra tournament fees apply).

*Due to the growth and volume of these opportunities, and feedback provided by staff, participants and members; we will be limiting the number of teams we enter per tournament to ensure appropriate staffing needs are met.

Training Environment

Built upon the guiding principles of our club’s Game Model at these age groups, our training sessions are designed to better prepare our participants for the competitive nature of the tournaments we are entering.

This is not a team-based program, and friend requests are not taken into account. When opting into this program, you are accepting that training groups are the sole responsibility of the staff and that groups are formed for a variety of reasons, and are not always what you would perhaps see within their own team environment.

Our blended training group model that blends both Model Players (invited players into the environment who are showing accelerated development), Interested Players (players who want more programming but who register on their own accord), and players across various age groups ensures that our training groups are highly competitive and rarely lack any energy.

Players entering this program should enter knowing that there may be a change to their weekly schedule, depending on how they are progressing. Moving players from one training group to another ensures that all participants have the ability to be challenged appropriately.

“Player Models” (Invited players; please attend our Information meeting to hear more), will take part in their own training groups, however, those groups will allow for growth throughout the year as we look to add to them from our Open groups.

Anywhere between 4-6 players registering by way of our open registration process will have an opportunity to train within the invited group(s) on a week-to-week basis. These decisions are merit based and will factor in staffing reports, attendance and attitude throughout the program. This will allow for a more catered and specialized training program for all groups where there has been an exponential amount of interest.

The training curriculum, overall environment,  program expectations for the players, and all other pertinent programming details will be managed by our Academy Manager.

Attendance

In the event your child misses more than 3 sessions without notifying the staff by way of our attendance tracking form (which will be provided within your welcome email), the club reserves the right to remove you from the program, and a refund will be provided based on the current program refund policy. Any removals from the program past the 8 week mark (halfway) will be done so without a refund being provided.

Training Environment 

The training curriculum, overall environment and program expectations for the players and all other pertinent programming details will be managed by our Technical Programs Manager and myself, the Technical Director of the club.

Built upon the guiding principles of our club’s Game Model at these age groups, our training sessions are designed to better prepare our participants for the competitive nature of the tournaments we are entering.

This is not a team based program, and friendship requests are not taken into account. When opting into this program, you are accepting that training groups are the sole responsibility of the staff and that groups are formed for a variety of reasons, and are not always what you would perhaps see within their own team environment.

Communication 

Any questions regarding this program should go directly to Huw Harris, the club’s Academy Manager: academymanager@vancouverunitedfc.com

Invitations and Rationale

Players who will receive an “invitation” are what we consider “player model” within their respective age group and have excelled in one or more of the following categories: Athletic Ability, Technical Proficiency, Tactical Awareness, Sportsmanship and Socio-Emotional Maturity. These players would form a core for the training groups, thus impacting those around them (younger/older, Invited/Open Registrants) and furthering everyone’s developmental goals.

Players not receiving an invitation are encouraged to register for one of the “open” spots if this program is something that interests them. General registration will open shortly, and will be communicated by Loretta Abdi, our Director of Operations, via our club-wide PowerUp communication channel.

Spots are very limited, so please ensure you pay close attention to the enrolment opening date and time; age groups have been known to sell out within 10 minutes of opening. You cannot reserve a spot within the program prior to the open registration period.

Program Dates (16 Sessions):

September 19th & 20th / 26th & 27th

October 3rd & 4th / 17th & 18th / 24th & 25th / 31st & November 1

November 7th & 8th / 14th & 15th / 21st & 22nd / 28th & 29th

January 16th & 17th / 23rd & 24th / 30th & 31st

February 6th & 7th / 20th & 21st / 27th & 28th

Session Days & Times:

*all times are subject to change & those changes will be communicated in the event they occur*

Saturdays

9am – 2016 Girls Open and Invited Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

10:15am – 2014/2015 Girls Invited Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

11:30am – 2014/2015 Girls Open Registration (UBC Mini Field)

*Times may change based on registration numbers

Sundays

9am – 2018 Boys Open and Invited Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

10:15am – 2017 Boys Invited Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

11:30am – 2017 Boys Open Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

12:45pm – 2017/2018 Girls Invited and Open Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

2pm – 2015/2016 Boys Open Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

2pm – 2014/2015/2016 Boys Invited Players Registration (UBC Warren Field)

3:15pm – 2014 Boys Open Players Registration (UBC Mini Field)

Training Location:

UBC Mini Field or UBC Warren Field, as detailed above.

Cost: 

The registration fee for all programs can be found on our Fees page

Jersey

All participants will be required to wear VanU Academy Jersey, which will be provided as part of the program.

Rain coats: we want to encourage all participants to wear a VanU branded shell raincoat. Anyone needing to purchase a training jersey should indicate this as part of the registration and our administration team will be in touch with you regarding payment and pick up. (There are limited quantities of these available).

*THIS PROGRAM WILL BE OFFERED TO MEMBERS WHO ARE REGISTERED FOR THE FALL/WINTER SEASON

Upon registration, please be prepared to input your receipt number for the program you are currently registered for. Players not registered for the fall/winter season will have their skill centre registration cancelled and a refund provided.