By JIM WALLACE , STANDARD STAFF

It's a win-win situation for Elite Soccer Development and the Club Roma minor soccer association.

Elite Soccer Development is the first academy soccer league in Niagara with a mandate to take competitive soccer to another level, founder and technical director Clayton Rosario said.

"We have qualified, licensed coaches -- it's mandatory -- and the quality of the field we play on is generally much better than the travel system," he said.

For the uninitiated, the academy system, Soccer Academy Alliance Canada, started in Ontario four years ago as a private enterprise and has strict guidelines for its six member clubs.

"To be an academy member ... you must have B-carded coaches and higher, and coaches with professional backgrounds, year-round training facilities and good referees," Rosario said. "There are so many trainings per week and a set number of games per year, depending on the age of the player. This allows time for recuperation and avoids player injuries and burnout."

Rosario, a Port Colborne resident who started a similar program in Toronto, has been trying for four years to set up the program in Niagara and the partnership with Club Roma made it happen.

Eventually, Rosario would like to see the program provide players to Roma's Canadian Soccer League team.

Wolves head coach James McGillivray is Rosario's partner and academy director.

"It's all about development," Rosario said, noting that until players reach the under-14 age level, nobody keeps score ."So there's no pressure to win."

At present, teams practise three to four times a week and play Saturdays, with a two-week vacation schedule in the summer to give families some vacation time.

Response so far has been excellent, he said, with 17 to 18 players at each age group starting at under eight years old. It works out to 60 in the program and another 70 to 100 students

With the partnership with Club Roma, players from the minor system can attend training sessions as guests.

"If they like the system, they can get involved full time," Rosario said.

He has already had professional coaches from Germany attend one of the training sessions and is planning yearly trips to Europe for players.

"In April 2010, we will travel to France for a two-week tour with a boys under-14 academy team," he said. "The players will experience coaching from top French coaches, play friendlies and get an opportunity to see a men's pro team train and play."

Elite Soccer Development has also produced its own DVD to help with technical and physical training.

Along with developing the players' talents, Rosario hopes to obtain scholarships for players, with an eye toward eventually playing professional soccer.

"We contact universities and find out what they're looking for, then send that player there. We have contacts in Michigan, Buffalo and Syracuse, and try to work with them."

Rosario feels the academy must be run like a business, as they are in Europe, to be successful.

Long term, Rosario hopes to make the academy one of the leading player development programs in Canada and hopefully build an 11-a-side indoor facility and a full-time training centre.

"They are ambitious plans and hopefully they come together," he said.

Further information on the program is available from the academy's website at www.elitesoccerdevelopment.com

Source: www.stcatharinesstandard.ca

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Darlington Choto Ex Zimbabwe International. He coached Benjani Mwaruwari of Manchester City and a number of players who went on to play professional in Germany and South Africa. He will oversee the U17 Elite East and U8 Development pool.

George Sheregy Ex Professional with "Lokomotive" Moscow and Head Coach U12-U18.Also Head Coach U12-U18 with "Dynamo" Moscow. Coach Sheregy is a Licenced National B coach under the CSA.He will oversee Elite Toronto Academy programs and Head up the U21 Provincial East Team.

Elite Soccer Development will also have a U18 Level 4 1 team in the Central Soccer League and a Men's CSL reserve League team. Our young talented players are excited about getting more game experience and the opportunity to play against Toronto FC youth. Clayton Rosario President of Elite Soccer said that these were necessary steps taken to give our players more experience and prepare them for Toronto FC or to play overseas. 2 players have come through our soccer program now play on Toronto FC youth U16. In addition, Victor Munoz born 1993 credits the academy league and training he got from Elite staff the last 2 years helped him sign a pro youth contract with Club Deportes La Serena in Chile out of 300 trialists and was one of the top goal scorers.

The Academy program has been a big hit in Niagara. The feed back has been tremendous says Clayton Rosario. The comments from parents is they love the fact that their children learn something and are not under pressure to win. One parent said this is the first time he has seen a smile on his son's face. In the Rep system he felt the pressure was on his shoulders and he was afraid to make mistakes. In the academy system he gets lots of encouragement and is not worried about mistakes and he can try a few moves now and then.

For more information about Elite academy schools and try out information contact.

Clayton Rosario formally of Shooting Stars is proud to present you with the logo for his newly formed company Elite Soccer Development "Train Like A Pro" The school will continue at 2 locations in Toronto(Vaughan) and Niagara to serve you better. He is excited to take his organization in a more serious direction with his vision and working with good people. The company will continue to be a leader in personal technique development and helping students achieve their dreams of becoming Pro or obtaining a full US scholarship.

For more information go to www.elitesoccerdevelopment.com

Clayton Rosario can be reached at:

Toronto Line 416-319-1729
Niagara Line 289-214-1414

SOCCER: Port Colborne man shares tips, training techniques in DVD Posted By KAESHA FORAND

After years of touring Europe, learning from top soccer pros and sharing his knowledge with students, Clayton Rosario is sharing his soccer knowledge through a new DVD.

"Kids always ask how to get stronger and better and I wanted to produce a personal training DVD for players that they can do," he said.

Building the Complete Soccer Athlete: Train Like a Pro comprehensive training resource for soccer players includes a two-hour DVD and a complimentary training booklet.

The DVD includes a high-performance training warm up, strength training, speed and power development, endurance training, flexibility and a weekly program overview.

The total technique development aspect touches on warming up, juggling, one-on-one attacking moves and creative moves for defenders.

The lessons not only touch on building strength and technique, the DVD and pamphlet also addresses nutrition with a sample diet and the mental aspect of the game with sport psychology.

"I've had excellent feedback worldwide."

It took one year to film all aspects for the DVD in Toronto, where Rosario has the Elite Soccer Development training centre.

He also teaches Niagara's budding soccer stars at Niagara Elite training at the Niagara Sportsplex in Niagara Falls. All the video editing was done in Niagara to compile 17 years of coaching experience in addition to numerous international coaching clinics into easy-to-follow lessons.

Personal trainer Josh Hewett also shows athletes how to properly warm up, effective exercises, mental conditioning techniques for enhanced performance and how to improve eating habits. Rosario said the training is good for athletes aged eight and up since players can control the intensity.

"It's always been a passion of mine to help players become technically strong," he said. "You can get fit in four weeks, but technique takes years."

He said the DVD is also an excellent tool for coaches looking to develop technically sound players since it addresses defender, midfield and striker positions.

Rosario's website www.soccerathletics.com provides a sneak peak at the DVD, pricing information and its monthly mailing list provides visitors with extra tips. To date, about 200 copies of the DVD have been sold and his goal is to sell 100,000 copies. He said despite Port Colborne and Niagara's strong hockey roots, he hopes to one day bring an intentional soccer tournament to the area to "make Niagara a hot bed for soccer."

His next step to further soccer in the area will be to have five academic teams in Niagara including a co-ed under eight team, a co-ed under 10 team, an under 12 boys team, an under 14 boys team and an under 17 boys team.

Source: www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1436539

We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

New for 2009

Name change to Elite Soccer Develpment. Stay tuned for new website details.

Building The Complete Soccer Athlete "Train Like A Pro" DVD released January 1, 2009 go to www.soccerathletics.com to purchase.

Player assessments to be held Jan 12th and 15th in Toronto and Sat Jan 17th in Niagara

During the 16 years that I’ve been coaching youth soccer, I’ve had the fortune to see many great players develop and I’ve observed the qualities that are necessary to excel at this sport. Many young soccer players are happy just to show up and play simply for the love of the game, which is fantastic. However, this article is for those athletes who dream of taking their game to the next level; for the player who wants to become the complete soccer athlete.

My primary focus in coaching soccer at the youth level has always been “Technique, technique, technique.” A strong player needs to be technically skilled with both feet, and be able to apply those skills appropriately on the field. Good ball control and the ability to read the play are essential. To be a well rounded player, you also need to be fit, athletic, fast, and mentally focused.

Technique is something that can be coached, and something that I’ve become very proficient at coaching over the years. Fitness and physical conditioning are other aspects that a coach or trainer can develop in their players by implementing regimented athletic conditioning programs. But there are other important qualities that must be developed in order to become the best soccer player you can be. Some of these qualities a coach has less influence over.

Qualities such as maturity, independence, mental toughness, creativity, and what I call that certain “X-Factor” (or WOW Factor) can be encouraged and modeled by a good coach, but these are characteristics that a player will need to develop on their own. Incidentally, this is the sort of personal development that will not only make you more successful at soccer, but also more successful at life in general.

WOW Factor

A player should view their sport not only as competition but also as entertainment, and should therefore learn to be creative and add another dimension to their game. Put yourself in the position of a fan or a spectator. Would you pay to watch a boring game? I don’t think so. The game is about entertainment. People want to see a quality game with great athletes, plenty of creativity, and exciting goals! When a talented player can enter the field of play and change the chemistry of the game in such a way that makes the crowd go crazy, that’s what I call the X-Factor. This player is unique, creative, skillful, and passionate about the sport. These are the qualities that make us remember a player, and this is part of what makes a “star” stand out from the rest.

Here are some of my recommendations for those who want to take it to the next level, and who dream of being a pro:

• Be a student of the game. Take a personal interest in learning everything you can.
• Eat right, stay fit, train smart, and adopt a positive attitude.
• Be unique and creative. Develop your own personal style and make a difference on the field!
• Become a master of technique. Try to be the best in your position.
• Being talented is great, but you must also be a team player! A superstar is of no use if they can’t work with the team.
• To be a pro, you have to eat, sleep and breathe soccer!

Remember to have a strong work ethic when you train, and perform your drills with intensity. Don't worry about mistakes. Even the pros make mistakes.

I encourage you to check out my new DVD, “Building the Complete Soccer Athlete: Train Like a Pro”, which covers strength and conditioning programs, speed and agility training, nutrition, psychology, and several important technical drills with the ball. Go to www.SoccerAthletics.com for more information. If you have any questions, or if you are interested in participating in our program, feel free to contact me at coach@soccerathletics.com or 416-319-1729.

I wish you lots of success!

About the Author:

CLAYTON ROSARIO
Technical Director

Clayton has been coaching soccer at the youth level ever since he came to Canada in 1981 from London, England. He is known for the many successes his teams have achieved: Nine league championships U8 to U14, winner of over 70 tournaments including the Robbie International and USA Cup. He took the Mississauga U17 OYSL for a 4 game exhibition tour in the north of France winning 3 and losing 1, as well as taking different teams to other European countries. Clayton is an expert in creating youth development programs and has been involved in a number of leading OYSL clubs. His focus is on developing the total player, incorporating technical training, ball control, creativity, high performance training, nutrition, and psychology.

• Specializes in technical development of youth level soccer athletes.
• Instrumental in sending many talented young players to Europe.
• Has traveled all over US, UK, Italy, and France for team tours
• Visited training centers of Manchester United and formation centers of Lille and OGC Nice France.
• Specializes in Dutch, French, and Brazilian training methods
• Co-producer of the DVD: “Building the Complete

Contact Clayton at: coach@soccerathletics.com