THE PLAYER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

THE PLAYER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Players, Parents & Coaches, We are delighted to announce a new player mentorship program at Foothills Soccer Club that will begin from February 2018. The program is designed to provide all of our players from U9 through to U18 with the opportunity to be mentored by some of the key members of our Premier Development League team (PDL). To kick off the program we will welcome 11 of the 2018 PDL roster onto our coaching staff, 8 of them who have had international playing experience with Canada, including Nik Ledgerwood who has previously captained the national team and has played over 50 times for this great country! Before starting on field the players will be educated on the Foothills Way and will complete one of the Canadian Soccer community stream coaching courses to add to their current coaching & playing experience as we encourage our players to pay it forward to the next generation. We look forward to providing our youth players with another great soccer experience in what will be another landmark year for the Club! 2018 Tommy Wheeldon Jnr Technical Director

INTRODUCING THE PLAYERS

Marco Carducci Goalkeeper Marco is an outstanding prospect that has played 4 years professionally at the USL level. Is an athletic GK with very good passing ability, which will be important to our style of play. He also captained Canada at the U17 FIFA World Cup and represented them at U20 and U23 levels also along with getting a full National team call up in 2016 (without playing). He is from Calgary, which is a big deal coup for us as will show pride in the jersey. An exceptional character and leader, as his captaincy for the Country shows.

Jose Lopez Defender/Defensive Midfielder Jose is a versatile player who can fit the role as full back or defensive midfield. He is a tough and tidy player that keeps us in possession of the ball. Playing Bio: Represented Canada at the U17 FIFA World Cup in 2013. Signed with FC Edmonton Academy 2015-17. Currently at the University of Calgary. Was a promising prospect in his youth and represented Canada at the FIFA U17 World Cup. From a character perspective, there are not many better. As an example last year he dislocated his shoulder versus Portland Timbers and refused to come off as we had no subs, but instead popped it back in and carried on. Will be a good soldier for us and also another Calgary native.

Dominick Zator Centre Back Dominick is a home grown Calgary Foothills Academy product. Was recently with Whitecaps 2 in the USL division after an outstanding PDL and CIS season. He is a great athlete that is exceptionally quick, whilst being comfortable with the ball at his feet. This will allow us to play an attractive build up possession game from the back. From a character perspective, he is exceptional and will be a great ambassador for this club.

Jackson Farmer Centre Back Jackson is a modern day Centre Back that is quick on the ground and possess a very good passing range with the ball at his feet. He has represented Canada at various levels including a call up to the full National team in 2013. Had a promising start to his young career and just needs a fresh start with a club that s building towards something. Has captaincy potential also having captained Vancouver Whitecaps through his youth.

Jordan Haynes Left Back / Defensive Midfielder Jordan is a combative left sided defender or midfielder. He is an honest, tough and hard working player that has professional experience through his time at Vancouver Whitecaps. Has represented Canada at U17 and U20 levels, so offers good international pedigree. Jordan will bring a competitive edge to training and games, a valuable asset when playing in the USA or internationally. He provides good balance to the team as a natural left sided player.

Nik Ledgerwood Central Midfield / Right Back Nik is real coup for us as injects us with the experience of a current Canadian international. Originally from Lethbridge, AB he is joining to help build something for the Canadian game close to his home. Has represented Canada at all levels and recently was awarded his 50 th cap with the National team last year. His professionalism is second to none and he will help to lead from within the locker room to help the younger players understand what being a professional really takes. Captain material.

Elijah Adekugbe Central Midfielder Brief Bio: Y.O.B: 1996 Citizenship: British/Canadian Joined Calgary Foothills as a 9 year old and left to join the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program at U14. Returned to Calgary Foothills at U16 and continues to play with our U23 PDL side. Elijah is a very skilled midfielder, that was named in the PDL s Top 50 Prospects for his 2016 season. Is the younger brother of Canadian International Sam Adekugbe. Has the ability to control the game from the central position and very composed on the ball. Obtained a soccer scholarship with Trinity Western University in BC, but transferred to University of Calgary in September 2017. Suffered a ruptured Achilles that ruled him out of the 2017 season, but now back to full fitness and hungry to make a statement. Former vice-captain of the PDL team in 2016, is a phenomenal personality and another homegrown Calgary Foothills Academy product.

Mitch Piraux Central Midfielder Mitch is a very smooth midfielder with a great work rate and passing range. Formerly a Calgary Foothills Academy product, he returns to the club after spending 5 years with the Vancouver Whitecaps program. Has represented Canada at several levels including U15 and more recently U20. A very good prospect with professional experience, that suffered a set back with injury last year and looking to relaunch his career with a fresh start in his home town. Honest, hard working player, Mitch will represent the club well.

Ali Musse Winger Playing Bio: Represented Canada at the U17 FIFA World Cup in 2013. Represented Vancouver Whitecaps Academy to U23 Team. Joined Calgary Foothills U23 PDL team In 2016 and scored 5 game winners. Ali is a creative player and what I would describe as a Maverick in that he has the ability to do the unexpected. He was pivotal for us last year in producing a big of magic to help us win games, a rare and valuable asset. An attacking left sided player, with speed, Ali gives us a very good attacking threat from either wing. Has represented Canada at the U17 National team level, along with lot s of PDL experience with Vancouver Whitecaps, WSA Winnipeg and Calgary Foothills. A player to keep an eye on.

Willy Akio Striker Brief Bio: Y.O.B: 1998 Citizenship: Sudanese/Canadian Played his youth career with Calgary Blizzards and Northside. Joined Calgary Foothills PDL team in 2017 and scored the game winner Versus Seattle Sounders U23 team. Attends SAIT in Calgary and played For their college team and was named In the ACAC top XI. Willy is a raw talent with explosive pace. Still very young, but has the drive to succeed and compete. Is an exciting prospect as posses the type of blistering speed that is needed to unlock defenses at the next level. 2018 will be a key development year for Willy as we have challenged him to make it his break out year. From a character standpoint, Willy is a humble and hungry player who will represent the club very well on and off the field.

Moses Danto Striker Playing Bio: Represented Canada at U17 level. Played PDL for WSA Winnipeg from 2012-16. Joined Phoenix Rising in the USL pro League in 2017. Work visas caused an issue with his contract and he returned to Canada. Moses Danto is a hot prospect and is bursting for an opportunity to play in professional environment. A tall, quick and skillful striker he was scouted by MLS s Sporting Kansas City last year but following a stint with Phoenix Rising in the USL, he returned to Canada for work visa issues. Has represented Canada at the U17 level and has the potential to make his way into the full National team if he fulfills his potential. Moses is hungry to succeed in the game and will be a good coup for us and create an attacking focal point to combine with.