...University of Alberta's Soccer Centre of Excellence confirms community commitment with the development of Vimy Ridge Academy School - soccer program, feature club team development, academy training, goalkeeper specialization, international program and prospect management...

Golden Bears & Pandas Teacher's Convention Camp~2012

We are now taking registrations for the Golden Bears & Pandas Teacher’s Convention Camp for 2012. The camp will provide an opportunity for club level and highly motivated community players to be

involved in practices that focus on skill development and tactical understanding. The camp will take place March 1st and 2nd at the Edmonton Soccer Centre - South.

This 2–day camp features 8 hours of quality instruction in a number of practice activities and games that have proven to help young soccer players develop the basic skills of soccer, while learning the essentials of team play. Please check the tabs on the left of this webpage for registration information.

Green & Gold Soccer Academy

Schedule - Winter Session 2012

Friday February 10 7:15-8:45PM (Early) 8:45-10:15PM (Late)

Sunday February 12
6-7:30PM (Early) 7:30-9PM (Late)

Friday February 17 7:15-8:45PM (Early) 8:45-10:15PM (Late)

Sunday February 19
5-6:30PM (Early) 6:30-8PM (Late)

Be a part of Edmonton's premier soccer academy for youth players at Vimy Ridge Academy

The Green & Gold Soccer Academy at Vimy Ridge Academy offers an ideal educational environment for students in grades 7 through 12 looking to balance the demands of an academic program with a passion for soccer. Vimy Ridge Academy Sports Alternative Programs provide a supportive learning environment and flexible timetabling so that students who enrol in the program are able to focus on both academics and athletics. Students attend core classes in the mornings and train at their soccer development a minimum of three (3) training sessions per week.

Interested parents are invited to attend our Open House at Vimy Ridge Academy (former Bonnie Doon High School) that is to be held Wednesday, February 29, 2012 beginning at 7:00PM.

The Green and Gold Soccer Academy is sanctioned by the Alberta Soccer Association and has the distinction of facilitating the development of a great number of players, both male and female, who have graduated to provincial select teams, national teams, professional teams and universities/colleges (including the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas).

Green & Gold Soccer Academy - Spring 2012

We are now taking registrations for our Spring Session 2012.

The program provides 10 high performance training sessions (15 hours) conducted by the academy's professional coaching staff who are qualified at the CSA A or B License levels. Goalkeepers will be provided with specialized instruction in all aspects of this demanding position.

Team and group discounts are available and we encourage teams to register and take advantage of our quality facilities and outstanding coaching program.

Please check Spring Session - 2012 under Green & Gold Soccer Academy on this home page for further information.

...players and parents who are becoming more knowledgeable about the various soccer opportunities in Edmonton will eventually seek to ensure that they are associated with an academy or soccer program whose coaching process is based on solid youth coaching principles, delivered by professionally qualified and experienced coaches, utilizing superior soccer facilities...

The Green & Gold Soccer Academy is anticipating another extremely busy year providing programs of excellence to the Edmonton and area youth players. The programs planned for 2012 include:

Winter Session - high performance training from January through March in the University of Alberta's full size indoor training facility.
Spring Session - high performance training from April though June for Edmonton's premier soccer players at the U-12 and U-10 age groups, including goalkeeper and team training. Practices to take place on the artificial turf field at Lister on campus.
Feature Team program during the outdoor season preparing some of Edmonton's premier club teams at U-14, U-16 or U18 age groups for league, provincial and national championship competition.
International Program involving tours of Barceloana, Spain slated for March 27-April 9 for some of the academy's U-16 players. A great number of these players are being recognized at the provincial level and have been invited to participate in the National Training Centre (NTC) Program.
The Green and Gold Soccer Academy's coaches, facilities and program is offered over 10 months at Vimy Ridge Academy for players in grades 7-12. The school program represents a partnership between the Green & Gold Soccer Academy and the Edmonton Public Schools (EPS) commitment to providing the very best "programs of choice" in Edmonton. The Green & Gold Soccer Academy will also be offered to students in grades 4-6 at Notre Dame in Leduc.
Fall Session - high performance training from September through October on the grass fields at Campus Saint Jean

Graduate Student Opportunities at the University of Alberta's Green & Gold Soccer Academy

Friday, December 12, 2011

Thanks to its partnership with the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, students can now earn a Masters Degree in Coaching with a specialization in soccer through the Green & Gold Soccer Academy. Alternatively or in combination, interested graduate students with significant soccer background and playing experience can be eligible to play at an elite level for the Golden Bears soccer team in the Canada West Conference and Canadian Intercollegiate Sport (CIS) men's soccer during the fall season.

For additional information on the men's soccer program please check the websites at www.greenandgoldsoccer.com and www.bears,ualberta.ca

The Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation offers two types of Master’s degrees, course-based and thesis-based. This gives students the flexibility to design their own learning program depending on their interests in practice and research. Classes are offered in every sports science discipline and funding is available both through the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation and the Green & Gold Soccer Academy and/or the Golden Bears soccer program. This is an ideal opportunity for prospective soccer coaches to expand their knowledge of coaching in a vibrant education and applied research centre. For further information regarding admissions procedures visit the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation’s Graduate Student website or email the Head Coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears soccer program, Len Vickery at len.vickery@ualberta.ca.

Golden Bears/Green & Gold Soccer Year (2011) in Review

The University of Alberta's Green & Gold Soccer Academy and centre of excellence is proud to celebrate 13 years of providing high level coaching services and programs to the Edmonton soccer community. The following represents some of the major accomplishments and successes of 2011:

The Golden Bears soccer team win the gold medal at the Canada West Conference Championships and place 4th at the CIS National Championships

The Green & Gold Senior Men's team win the gold medal at both the Alberta Soccer Association's Provincial Indoor and Outdoor Senior Club Championships

Golden Bears players Harman Braich and Cam Schmidt were selected to Canada's squad for the World University Games (FISU) held in Shenzhen, China.

Golden Bears soccer players Milan Timotijevic (First Team), Brett Colvin (2nd Team) and Osmo Bimba were recognized as Canada West All-Stars

Sadi Jalali played with the National U-17 Men's squad that participated in the CONCACAF Championships held in Mexico

Academy feature team Juventus U-16 boys win gold medal at ASA Provincial Club Championships.

Seb Cabrera has been selected, and joins former academy player Tim Hickson, at the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program. Seb and Tim follow former Green & Gold Soccer Academy players Ethan Gage, Randy Edwini Bonsu, Marcus Johnstone and Antonio Rago in joining this professional academy program. Seb is a product of the Juventus soccer club in the Edmonton Inter District Youth Soccer Association (EIYSA)

Vimy Ridge Academy - 14 school players Sebastian Cabrera, Sadi Jalali, Curtis Wispinski, Ajay Khabra, Bruno Zebie, Ajeej Sarkaria, Morgan Graham, Tyler Graham, Thomas Shores, Maverick Rites, Christian Kaiswatum, Mia Johannson, Jessica French and Charlotte Rath were all selected for participation in the CSA’s National Training Centre - Prairies.

Vimy Ridge Academy - 20 players were selected to ASA Provincila Select Teams and along with those 14 players listed above also included Simran Boprai, Rachel Proskin, Brenna Mattielo, Connor James, Dylan Powley and Mark Miazga.

Vimy Ridge Academy players Sebastian Cabrera, Bruno Zebie, Ajay Khabra, Sadi Jalali, Ajeej Sarkaria and Curtis Wispinski were all members of Alberta's successful squad that won gold at the Western Canada Games.

Green & Gold win Gold at ASA Provincial Senior Club Championships (Challenge Cup).

The Green & Gold men's soccer squad, featuring 17 present or former Golden Bears soccer players, won the gold medal at the ASA Provincial Senior Challenge Cup this past weekend! The team beat the Calgary Dinos (2-1), Edmonton Drillers (1-0 overtime) in pool play before playing Calgary Callies in the provincial senior men's final! In a tense and well played final the Green & Gold were tied 1-1 following regulation and overtime periods before securing the win with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out. The successful penalties were provided by Cameron Schmidt, Scott Gilroy, Kevin Perry, CJ Gilroy and Igi Broda.

Green & Gold now represent Alberta at the CSA National Men's Challenge Cup to be held in Brossard, Quebec from October 5-10, 2011.

Green & Gold Feature Teams meet with provincial success!

The Green & Gold Feature Teams were once again succesful at the recent ASA Provincial Youth Club Championships.

The Juventus'95 squad once again won the gold medal at the U-16 Tier 1 level and hope to repeat as National Champions, following their success in 2009 at the U-14 age group, when they represent Alberta at the CSA National U-16 Boys Championships to be held in Lethbridge, Alberta from October 5-10, 2011. Green & Gold coach Kurt Bosch was once again head coach of this outstanding squad with support and technical assistance being provided by Marty Andersen.

The Juventus'96 squad won the gold medal at the U-16 Tier 2 level with head coaching duties being provided by Rob Mosele and Paul Rynn.

In addition, the South West United'97 squad finished a strong second to Edmonton Inter in the EIYSA U-14 Boys division but were not afforded a play-off spot for the provincial championships. The Edmonton Inter U-14 boy's squad progressed and were crowned provincial champions and will represent Alberta at the CSA National U-14 Boys Championships to be held in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland from October 5-10, 2011.

Green and Gold Soccer Academy U-16 and U-14 boy’s squads to travel to Milan and Florence, Italy respectively for International Program in 2011

The University of Alberta’s Green and Gold Soccer Academy U-16 and U-14 Boy’s squads will travel to Milan and Florence, Italy respectively from March 23 – April 4, 2011 for an international exposure, training and competition against Serie A professional academy squads. .

Whilst in Milan the Green & Gold Academy U-16 boys will be hosted by the famous AC Milan soccer club for training and a feature game to be played against the Serie A club’s academy youth team. In addition, the boys will play against other Serie A Club academy squads including Juventus, Sampdoria and Chievo Verona. Whilst in Milan the boys will have the opportunity to observe a Serie A professional game, visit the impressive San Siro Stadium as well as visit Como Lake near Lugano in Switzerland and the Ferrari Museum in Marenello, Italy.

In Florence, the Green & Gold U-14 boys will train at the world class facilities of “FiesoleCaldine” where the ACF Fiorentina junior teams train and play. In addition, the boys will visit Coverciano, home of the Italian National Team and Museum. The highlights of this tour will be games played against some of Italy’s premier academy squads including ACF Fiorentina, FCG Floria, AC Sestese and SS Lazio (Rome).

2011 CSA National Call-Ups or Professional Signings

Congratulations to present and former Green & Gold/Golden Bears soccer players being selected to national squads or professional teams:

Sadi Jalali (Edmonton Juventus) for being selected to Canada's U-17 National Team camp for training camp, including international friendly matches against Costa Rica, held in San Jose, Costa Rica in early January.
Tim Hickson (Whitecaps Residency Program) for being selected to Canada's U-18 National Team for training camp and international friendly matches played against Costa Rica on January 25 and 27 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Eddy Sidra and Randy Edwini-Bonsu were selected to take part in Canada's men's U-23 /Olympic team training camp held January 13-22 in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Golden Bears soccer complete successful fall campaign

The Golden Bears lost a heart breaking quarter final game when they conceded a late goal to the St Mary's Huskies at the CIS National Championships held in Toronto from November 11-14, 2010. In the final York defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 1-0 in an extremely competitive and entertaining game. Unfortunately, the Golden Bears were relegated to the consolation bracket of the tournament where they suffered a further 4-0 loss to Laval.

However, the Golden Bears had an outstanding season posting a 11-2-1 record in the always tough Canada West conference - securing first place and a CIS National Championship berth as league champions. In addition, the Golden Bears hosted the Canada West final-4 play-offs where they lost a close game 1-0 with the Saskatchewan Huskies before claiming the bronze medal with a 3-2 win over the Calgary Dinosaurs. UBC were to edge the Huskies 1-0 to claim the Canada West Championship and the further Canada West berth to the CIS National Championships.

Several Bears were recognized for their outstanding performances. Jas Gill, Harman Braich, Zenon Markevych, Sam Lam, Milan Timotijevic and Marcus Johnstone were all selected to the Canada West All-Star first team and Antonio Rago to the second team. Marcus Johnstone was selected as Rookie of the Year by the Canada West men's soccer coaches before receiving the same honour and major award at the CIS All-Canadian Banquet. Sam Lam was selected as a first team CIS All-Canadian and Jas Gill along with Harman Braich were selected as second team CIS All-Canadians.

Academy coaches awarded CSA B Licences

Congratulations to Green & Gold Soccer Academy's principal coaches Kurt Bosch and Niki Vignjevic who succesfuly passed their National B Licence Coaching Award.

Congratulations to Marcus Johnstone on his selection and participation in the 2010 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from December 1-5. 2010.

Congratulations to Sadi Jalali (Edmonton Juventus) for being selected to the U-17 National Team camp that will take place in the US and Jamaica from October 22 to November 3, 2010.

Congratulations to Sebastian Cabrera (Edmonton Juventus) for his selection to the U-15 National Team camp that runs from October 21 to 31 in Carson, CA, USA.

The Juventus U-16 squad is a product of the Green & Gold Soccer Academy's Feature Team program and a great number of these players have benefited from the academy's International Program that traveled to Spain and Italy in 2008 and 2010 respectively.

The Green & Gold Soccer Academy continues to provide developmental opportunities for youth players through its Fall, Winter and Spring sessions along with the Vimy Ridge Academy school program. However, the academy has developed a more competitive developmental or high performance route through the International Program, Feature Team program and Green & Gold senior men's squads for both indoor and outdoor.

Present and former Vancouver Whitecap's prospects Ethan Gage, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Tim Hickson, Antonio Rago and Marcus Johnstone have all benefited from the academy's competitive development. Former Green & Gold senior and academy players Shaun Saiko, Matt Lam, Sam Lam, Jas Gill and Antonio Rago have recently been recruited by Edmonton's newest professional team FC Edmonton.

Golden Bears Soccer

The Golden Bears soccer program has been in existence since 1969 and has achieved four CIS/CIAU National Championships in 2006, 2003, 1979 and 1972 and nine (2003, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1988, 1981, 1979, 1973 and 1972) Canada West Championships.

International Program to Florence/Rome, Italy for boys born in 1997 and Milan, Italy for boys (born in 1995 or 1996).

The Green and Gold Soccer Academy is planning two major international Tours for its prospects for the spring 2011. A squad of players (born in 1997) will travel to Florence and Rome, Italy where they will be hosted by Serie A professional squads Fiorentina and Lazio (Rome) for practices and games played against their professional academy squads.

Further, a squad of players (born in 1995 and 1996) will travel to Milan, Italy where they are to be hosted by the famous AC Milan soccer club.

Both international tours will be organized in collaboration with OSA Soccer Academy (based in Florence, Italy) and you may find more information about this outstanding group at www.osasocceracademy.com

Any parents or youth prospects interested in these outstanding international experiences may contact len.vickery@ualberta.ca

Golden Bears and Green & Gold soccer players making their mark at the national and professional level

Former Golden Bear and Green & Gold soccer player Eddy Sidra will once again suit up for Canada's men's national team during an exhibition game against Venezuela on May 29. Almost one year after earning his first cap for Canada, former University of Alberta Golden Bears' soccer player Eddy

Sidra, an Edmonton native and graduate of Austin O'Brien High School, earned his first international cap during Team Canada's 2-1 win over Cyprus on May 30, 2009.

The 5'7" Sidra helped the Bears win their fourth National title in 2006-07 when they defeated Trinity Western University 1-0 at Foote Field in Edmonton. He scored two goals and four points while playing all 14 games during 2006-07 Canada West regular season, while notching one assist in five Canada West and CIS playoff games.

Golden Bears or recent Green and Gold players Jas Gill, Harman Braich, Sam Lam, Antonio Rago, Shaun Saiko, Matt Lam and Milan Timotijevic are presently practicing with the newly formed FC Edmonton squad that will play in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2011.

Green & Gold Soccer Highlights for 2009

The University of Alberta's Green & Gold Soccer Academy and centre of excellence is proud to celebrate 10 years of providing high level coaching services and programs to the Edmonton soccer community. The following represents some of the major accomplishments and successes of 2009:

The Golden Bears soccer team win the silver medal at Canada West Conference Championships in CIS soccer
Former academy and University of Alberta Golden Bears soccer Rookie of the Year (2006) Eddy Sidra earned his first international cap during Canada's 2-1 win over Cyprus on May 30. Sidra at 20 years of age became Canada's youngest starter in nearly 4 years.
Former academy players Eddy Sidra, Shaun Saiko, Ethan Gage and Randy Edwini Bonsu are selected to Canada's squad for the CONCACAF U-20 Men's Championships held in Trinidad & Tobago from March 7-11, 2009
Golden Bears players John Konye and Brett Colvin were selected to Canada's squad for the World University Games (FISU) held in Belgrade, Serbia
Golden Bears soccer player Brett Colvin is recognized as Canada West All-Star and CIS all-Canadian (2nd Team)
Green & Gold Senior Men's team win a gold and silver medal at the Alberta Soccer Association's Provincial Indoor and Outdoor Senior Club Championships respectively
Academy feature team Juventus U-14 boys win gold medal at ASA Provincial Club Championships and CSA National Club Championships. Academy coach Kurt Bosch coached both these outstanding squads to national championships.
Academy feature team KC Trojans U-14 girls win bronze medal at ASA Provincial Club Championships
Tim Hickson has been selected to join the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program. Tim follows former Green & Gold Soccer Academy players Ethan Gage, Randy Edwini Bonsu, Marcus Johnstone and Antonio Rago in joining this professional academy program. Tim is a product of the South West United soccer club in the Edmonton Inter District Youth Soccer Association (EIYSA)
Vimy Ridge Academy school players Annalise Schellenberg, Tim Hickson, Sebastian Cabrera, Sadi Jalali, Curtis Wispinski, Ajay Khabra and Bruno Zebie were all selected for participation in the CSA’s National Training Centre - Prairies.

Green and Gold Soccer Academy at Vimy Ridge Academy School

The University of Alberta's Green & Gold Soccer Academy at Vimy Ridge Academy school is also now taking registrations for the

school year beginning September 2009 from enthusiastic and ambitious players in grades 6-12.

The academy has been on the leading-edge of soccer developmental programs in Edmonton since its inception in 2000. Please check further on this website for the more detailed information regarding the Green and Gold Soccer Academy and Vimy Ridge Academy school programs to help you make an informed decision for the benefit of your child and soccer prospect.

The academy at Vimy Ridge Academy School is a collaborative effort between the University of Alberta's professional coaching staff and the Edmonton Public Schools with a view to providing a first class and age appropriate soccer development opportunity for youth players.The soccer academy programs offer Edmonton's youth players:

A first class development opportunity directed and developed by Len Vickery, CSA A License Coach and other members of the University of Alberta's Golden Bears professional coaching staff including Kurt Bosch, Alex Dickson, Niki Vignjevic, Neil Sande, MP Duxbury and Jas Gill.
Developmental programs that have been sanctioned by the Alberta Soccer Association since their inception in 2000 and modeled on several notable European youth soccer academies.
Opportunities for international travel to Europe and US as reflected in recent trips to Spain and England for U-13 and U-16 boy's squads respectively.
Prospect management as reflected in the great number of academy players being recognized at the provincial and national levels including several players being promoted and recommended for professional playing opportunities in Europe and with the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program.
Programming and high-performance training for Senior (grades 10, 11 and 12) and Junior/Intermediate (grades 6-9) groups at Vimy Ridge Academy.
Access to the superior indoor and outdoor soccer facilities at the Edmonton Indoor Soccer Centre - South and the University of Alberta's Campus Saint Jean, Lister Field, Universiade Pavilion and Foote Field.

All interested players are requested to register for the school prior to the end of April to confirm their place within the University of Alberta's and Edmonton Public School's premier soccer academy.