 What is the Prospects Program? The Ottawa Fury Prospects Program provides players between the ages of 9 and 12, residing in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, with player development programming that is of the highest standard and quality. The Program also serves as a preparatory and feeder program for the Fury's Youth Academy Program (ages 13 through 16).
What are the objectives of the Prospects Program?
- To provide leadership in improving the quality and standard of soccer programming across the Ottawa region.
- The development of young soccer players across all elements of soccer performance - technical, tactical, physical, and psychological.
- The development of young children in a manner that engenders positive attitudes toward learning, friendship, and fair play.
- To provide a fun, safe, and age appropriate environment
- To provide responsible care in the supervision and management of Prospects Program players, teams, coaches and staff.
What age groups exist within the Prospects Program?
- The Prospects program consists of a pool of quality players aged 9 through 12. . Players are grouped by age and ability for training and competition purposes.
- For a month by month guide to the Fury age groups for 2011-12 click here
How does the Prospects Program fit into the club's Player Development Pathway? The Prospects Program is the critically important first stage in the club Player Development Pathway. Players graduate from the Prospects program and enter the Youth Academy at the U13 level where players begin competitive play in the United Soccer League Super Y-League.
The Player Development Pathway illustrates the how club player development pyramid and how players can move toward their goals in the game through the club's programming.
What is so special about being part of the Prospects Program?
- First, young players selected/invited to participate in the Prospects Program generally demonstrate a relatively high level of skill, visible enthusiasm for the game, and a positive attitude toward learning. Therefore, in the Prospects Program, a player will be training and playing with players that share similar qualities, which in turn provides for accelerated learning and development.
- Second, the Prospects Program is staffed with knowledgeable and specialized coaches that work within the Club Methodology to ensure Prospects players receive proper levels of instruction and the challenge-reward needed to realize their potential.
- Third, the Prospects program is uniquely positioned to offer development programming that provides the optimal balance between training and competitive play. To ensure the Prospects coaching staff has the needed flexibility to maintain this balance, the program does not enter teams in the Eastern Regional Soccer League.
How would I know if my child would enjoy being part of the Prospects Program?
What level of commitment is expected of players in the Prospects Program?
Players in the Prospects Program are expected to commit fully to their team. This means arriving 20 minutes before training sessions and 40 minutes before games as well as participating in all team events.
What is the Programming for the 2011-12 Prospects WINTER Program?
- 2 x 90 minute training sessions per week at Algonquin Dome
- 1 x 90 minute bi-weekly training session per week at the Algonquin Dome
- Boys will participate in the Ottawa Carleton Futsal League while Girls will compete in the 7 v 7 Coliseum Indoor League.
- Exhibition games will be held at Algonquin College and other Indoor locations
- Indoor Tournament Play (Laval Indoor, Montreal)
- International Academy Program (optional) – following two hugely successful one-week visits to Tottenham in 2010 and 2011, we expect to repeat this opportunity to selected players at March Break 2012.
- Weekly goalkeeper sessions with Club Goalkeeper Coach David Bellemare
What is the programming for the Prospects Program for Summer 2012?
- 3 x 90 minute training sessions at Algonquin Field, University of Ottawa, etc.
- Exhibition games will be held at Algonquin and other outdoor locations
- International Tournament Play – e.g. Plomelin – boys born in 1999/2000 (France), other tournaments will considered for the Girls program
- North American Tournament Play – a mix of local (Ontario/Quebec) and US Tournaments – e.g. Laval, Brossard, Nordic Cup, Robbie Tournament, FC Delco, Spirit United, Kickin’ in the Capital and Mini-World Cup
- Training Sessions w/ Guest Coaches (e.g. – Craig Smith, Carl Valentine, Tottenham Hotspur coaches)
- Weekly goalkeeper sessions with Club Goalkeeper Coach David Bellemare
- Vacation Shutdown (Last 2 weeks in August).
- Training recommences in September while outdoor fields remain available and up until tryouts commence. Teams preparing for 2013 SYL Finals will start preparation sessions.
How much does it cost to play with the Prospects Program ? Is it expensive?
- As is the case with most sports, elite or competitive sports programs are more costly than recreational programs. The cost of participating in the Prospects program is in keeping with that of competitive sports programs in the city.
- Given the standard and quality of player development within the Prospects program, there is a misperception, albeit understandable, that participation in the program comes at a premium. This is not the case. Moreover, through the generous support of local businesses as well as sponsorship programs within the club, many players have found it less expensive than the total, annual cost of local soccer programs.
- The Program Fees for 2010 were set at $168.14 per month plus HST ($190). These fees remained unchanged in 2011. 2012 Fees have been set at $176.99 per month plus HST ($200).
- Siblings of Club players pay a reduced fee of $132.74 per month plus HST ($150).
What exactly is covered by the Program Fees? The costs of the year-round Winter and Summer programs including:
- Indoor and Outdoor training facility costs (e.g., Domes, Gyms, Algonquin Soccer Complex
- Equipment and Apparel - Use of Team Uniforms, 2 Training Kits (Shirt, shorts and socks), Tracksuit, Golf Shirt, Bag, etc..
- Program fees, coaching and referee costs
- Discounted Registration to a Fury Summer Camp - In past years, the Fury has invited coaches from Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League) to conduct summer camps and also offered specialist positional camps (goalkeeper, defender, attacker, ...) delivered by Fury staff coaches.
- End of Season Awards Banquet - complimentary tickets to players
- Complimentary Fury Season Ticket valid for all 20012 W-League and PDL regular season games
- Additional training sessions for Goalkeepers - the Club employs a specialist goalkeeper coach. Fury goalkeepers attend their regular team sessions and in addiiton scheduled goalkeeper sessions. There is no additional charge for these sessions.
What is NOT covered by the Monthly Program Fees? What additional costs are there?
How are players identified and selected to the Prospects Program?
- Annual tryouts take place once a year in late September and early October. All players wishing to tryout for the program participate in the annual tryouts. After a series of tryouts(2 or 3), selected players are offered a place in the program. Accepting a spot is making a commitment for the year.
- To register for a tryout players should register online on the club web site. Please consult the age chart if you are unsure which team you should register for. You will be contacted by e-mail and advised of the tryout dates
- Registration details and tryout schedules will be posted on the web site at www.ottawafury,com
- Players may request a tryout for the Prospects Program at any time throughout the year. Coaches wishing to request a tryout for a player should contact the appropriate Prospects Program Director
Are Prospects Program players given the opportunity to participate in other representative programs, such as Regional (Region 5) and Ontario provincial programs ? The coaching staff works very closely with regional, provincial and national team staff in the identification of players that have the potential to play at these respective levels. During their time with the club players would be eligible for selection to the Regional Program run by the Ontario Soccer Association, which in turn serves to identify players that may be selected to the Ontario Provincial team. In 2011 for example, 11 club players were members of the Regional Program.
The club is very proud of its record of producing players for the Regional, Provincial and National team programs.
Are Prospects Program players involved in any other programs? Yes. In an effort to provide a comprehensive development program, the Fury Academy utilizes the services of specialized programs to support the development of players. This may include speed and conditioning programs as well as the use of sports psychologists and nutritionists.
Prospects Program players are also encouraged to supplement their training by participating in select soccer programs and/or camps. Please note that parents/players are asked to speak with their Coach or Program Director before making commitments to participate in regularly scheduled, externally offered development programming. Permission to attend will not be unreasonably withheld but decisions will be based upon factors such as conflicts with Prospects programming, benefit to the players development and frequency and quality of the programming, etc
Further Information : If your question has not been answered or further details are needed please feel free to email us at info@ottawafury.com or call the office at 613.235.3879 and we'll be happy to answer your question.
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