Canadian Soccer Association Endorses Plan To Decentralize National Training Centers
At its semi-annual Board of Directors meeting held recently in Ottawa, The Canadian Soccer Association endorsed the recommendations in a recent major study conducted by Technical Director Holger Osieck and Vice President Andy Sharpe. The major change will be to turn over the operations of its current four National Training Centers to the provincial football associations. The centers, located in Burnaby, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal with a fifth center in Halifax coming on stream in 2000, will now be managed by the host football body.
The CSA will continue to work closely with the provincial football associations. Among other things, the CSA will provide CSA National coaches to liaise with the centers and provide advice and consulting services to each center, including monitoring the development of identified National Team athletes and scouting. CSA National coaches will also conduct clinics to develop coaches in the Provinces to attain "A" and "B" License Certification.
The CSA Board of Directors recently approved a record high budget for the year 2000 approaching the $8 million dollar mark. Spending on the priority programs of player development, competitions and national teams programs has increased from $3 million in 1998 to $6.4 million in 2000.
The Board of Directors also approved terms of references for a Focus Group on Women's Football Development. This group will be under the Chair of Board member Sylvie Beliveau and will consist of new Head Coach, Even Pellerud, Technical Director Holger Osieck, a senior playing member of the Women's National Team and the Chief Operating Officer.
"I was pleased with the three and a half days of intense discussions," stated CSA President Jim Fleming. "The Board worked hard and is dealing with issues of major importance for the future of the sport in Canada."
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