WOMEN’S U16-U17 RESIDENCY
The primary focus of the Residency Program is to develop and support out-of-town players wishing to pursue soccer at a post-secondary level and beyond while they complete their high school credits. WIA offers a comprehensive, CSA standards-based soccer program and students attend school full-time at a local high school in Victoria.
The program provides:
- A focus on individual technical training
- A focus on positional tactical training
- College Showcase tournaments
- BC Soccer LISA U17 League
Training sessions include
- Team field sessions with an emphasis on topics such as proactive decision-making and tactical game management
- Team strategies
- Speed of play
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Eddie Mukahanana
Qualifications:
UEFA A Licence Diploma
CSA A Licence
Active Start
Fundamentals
Learn to train
Respect in Sports
Making Head Way in Soccer
Make Ethical Decisions
Mental Health in Sport
Technical Director Diploma
PLAYER IDENTIFICATION
Westcastle hosts Player Identification Camps as part of the application process for admission to our programs. The camps allow players to meet our coaching staff and experience WIA training.
Players must attend our ID Camps if they wish to join the program and attend the college showcases or international tournaments.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Program Plan
Working in cycles, the Program Plan includes the following modules:
- Individual Technical training
- Team Tactical training
- Physical and Psychosocial Development
- Strength and Conditioning
- Mental Conditioning
- Leadership Development
- Nutrition Training
- Academic Education
The combination of expert coaching, clear training goals, and annual competition allows for individualized growth technically, tactically, and personally within a world-class setting.
Training sessions include team field sessions with an emphasis on topics such as proactive decision-making, tactical game management, team strategies, and speed of play. WIA coaches also focus on individual development with personalized development plans including video analysis, position-specific instruction, soccer-specific training for strength and conditioning, leadership, and communication skills.
Our Student-athletes in WIA’s academic pathway are expected to prioritize both academics and athletics as their schedule mirrors that of a collegiate program. They create an individual development plan with overall long-term goals, short-term measurable objectives. Every 6 weeks, coaches and players will review their progress and set new objectives when necessary, ahead of the upcoming cycle. Four times a year, players review their progress and future areas of focus which include strength, agility, and endurance test results.
2023/24 Training Schedule
| DAY | MORNING SESSION | AFTERNOON/ EVENING SESSION |
|---|---|---|
| MONDAY | TECHNICAL TRAINING | |
| TUESDAY | OPTIONAL INDIVIDUAL STRENGTH TRAINING | |
| WEDNESDAY | TACTICAL/PHYSICAL PREPARATION | |
| THURSDAY | TACTICAL TRAINING | |
| FIR/SAT/SUN | GAME |
Tentative 2023-2024 Showcase Tournaments
| TOURNAMENT | DATE | VENUE | AGES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starfire or Surf Cup | November 2022 | Seattle or San Diego | U17 and U19 |
| Portland College Showcase | January 15th-18th, 2023 | Portland, OR, USA | U17 and U19 |
2022/23 The Women’s Season Plan
PRE-SEASON | COMPETITIVECYCLE PHASE I | COMPETITIVECYCLE PHASE II |
MEASURE &EVALUATE | PREPARE &PLAY | PLAY &COMPETE |
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER | SEPTEMBER – MARCH | APRIL – JULY |
| Physical testing, Tactical, Technical & Functional introduction Individual Development Plans (IDP) | Physical, Tactical, Technical & Functional Competition and tactical phase. U18 LISA & College Showcase | Competition & tactical phase PACIFIC COAST SOCCER LEAGUE |
The Academic High School Program is intended for students who want to graduate in Canada and receive credits toward a High School Diploma. Students are fully integrated with Canadian students and will benefit from world-class academic programs.
Grades: 10 -12
Length: one semester, one year, or stay until graduation
Semester 1: September – January
Semester 2: February – June
Full-year program: September – June.
To attend an orientation, students will need to arrive the week prior to the start of school
Westcastle International Academy works with the Canadian Homestay Network, an organization that has helped tens of thousands of students find a home away from home in Canada since 1995. Over the years they have earned the industry’s best reputation for client satisfaction, based on common values, successful experience, and the highest professional standards in the industry
- Football Academy is approximately $3,000 (Sept – June)
- Cost includes kit, training, league fees, coaching fees
- Homestay approximately $900/month (private room, three meals/day)
- Academic Education (based on academic program)
WIA Competitive Platforms
WIA soccer program consists of teams ranging from high school age to post-high school graduate opportunities for players 16 and older. The program competes across two competitive platforms:
Lower Island Soccer Youth League
WIA U16-U17 players will compete in the Lower Island Soccer Association U18. The LISA League is a winter competitive league in which teams compete for the BC Soccer Provincial A Cup Championship. www.lowerislandsoccer.com
Lower Island Women’s Soccer League
WIA players may also compete in the Lower Island Soccer League (LISWA) through a club partnership. The LIWSA is a winter competitive league in which teams compete for the BC Women’s Provincial Championship and Canadian National Women’s Championships. www.liwsa.com
Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL)
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is WIA’s main competitive league. The PCSL is an amateur soccer league, currently featuring teams from all over British Columbia. In the past clubs from the USA, Washington and Oregon have competed. PCSL is considered to be British Columbia’s premier league for adult soccer. www.pcsl.org
Professional Trials and College Showcase tournaments
The WIA players have the opportunity to explore professional opportunities in Spain and Belgium through our exchange programs. There are also opportunities to be scouted at international tournaments and college showcases in the US and Canada.
