saac academy update
01 Feb 2012

Academies Raising the Bar in 2012

Preparations for the 2012 SAAC Academy season have begun across Ontario, and the theme of the season is 'Raising the Bar'.  As SAAC enters its 7th year of operation, the membership remains committed to providing the highest level of technical standards for development in the province.  No other association in the country requires such high standards from its membership, and SAAC owes it to its members and their players to remain diligent in ensuring these standards are being met.

Efforts have already started in this regard.  The SAAC Management Team has implemented a rigorous Academy Assessment program that will be applied to all returning and prospective members in 2012.  New groups that have applied for SAAC membership have already started this process.  Preliminary assessment interviews have been held or are being scheduled for the 7 organizations that are applying to join SAAC in 2012.  They, and all returning members will also undergo a 3-stage evaluation process that will be carried out during the 2012 season.

Preliminary assessments will involve visits by independent auditors to each member.  The assessors will meet with representatives of each organization and complete a Member Assessment Plan Report. These will be followed by training assessments, that will involve visits by independent auditors to observe member training sessions and be provided the opportunity to interview coaches, players and/or parents. Final assessments will distributed to the membership in the fall, along with recommendations for membership class designations for 2013.

Along with preparing for this process, SAAC members are also busy preparing their team placements for 2012.  Once again, SAAC will be running development programs for players aged 7 to 13, which consist of weekly games from April to November against other SAAC member teams.  The SAAC Academy League is planning to run U14, U15 and U16 Boys divisions for 2012.

For more information about SAAC or its members, visit the association website at www.saac.ca or contactsaac@academysoccer.ca.