Academy & Clinics

For players who want to challenge themselves and improve their skills, beyond their regular team practices and games. SSU offers both Academy programs and also Goalkeeping Clinics.

SSU ACADEMY

The SSU Academy gives youth players the opportunity to grow outside of regular team practices, across separate Fall and Spring sessions.

The Academy program is open to both boys and girls, aged U8–U14. Led by Josip Bratanovic, SSU Club Technical Director. Supported by club coaches, and occasional guest coaches from the Vancouver Island soccer community

Both Fall and Spring Academies are typically held over 10 sessions, and each sessions runs for 1.5 hrs. Academy players must register in advance to attend sessions. Dates and pricing will be posted here as soon as they are confirmed.

Details

10 sessions total, held over 10 weeks
Sessions run for 1.5 hrs
Typically held at Portlock Park or the Hydro Field in Ganges
Dates: TBA
Registration required in advance to attend

SSU Goalkeeping Clinics

Want to take your goalkeeping to the next level? Our Keeping Clinic helps you fine-tune skills, learn new moves, and improve all aspects of your goalkeeping. Sessions run in small groups with experience coaches, and cover all aspects of goalkeeping.

Details

10 sessions, held over 10 weeks
Typically held at Portlock Park or the Hydro Field in Ganges
Dates: TBA
Bring your own goalie gloves
Registration required in advance to attend

Our Approach to Academy and Clinis

U8–U14 is a key stage for developing young players. Academy sessions focus on:

Physical Literacy — balance, coordination and speed
Technical Ball Skills — dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting
Game Play — attacking and defending, and small-sided games that make decision-making fun

The SSU Academy and Clinic programs welcome enthusiastic players, of all abilities, who want to take their game to the next level.

We do this by:

Keeping a small coach-to-player ratio (about 1:8), with help from our senior-youth Assistant Coaches
Partnering with club coaches who bring a positive, enthusiastic approach to teaching
Encouraging Full Effort — measuring success by what's in a player's own control, rather than winning or "playing well"

What does "Full Effort" mean? Committing fully puts every player in the best position to succeed — and unlike winning or a perfect performance, it's something they can control every time they step on the field.