Whitecaps FC launch summer camps and academy centre programs

Vancouver Whitecaps FC are welcoming youth players across Canada to BMO Academy sessions and Summer Skills Camps presented by Bell beginning Monday, July 6. The club is also launching a new Virtual Academy for high performance at-home training.

Working closely with Canada Soccer, national and provincial health officials, and the club’s medical team, Whitecaps FC has developed enhanced health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of all players, coaches, staff, and communities.

“Throughout the last few months, our club has done everything it can to support the measures of local and national health authorities to ensure everyone is as safe as possible,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC chief executive officer and sporting director. “After the first changes to restrictions, our coaches, staff, and medical team moved forward with a plan, approved by health authorities, for young players across the country. We will have a fun, competitive, and safe environment for everyone.”

Registration for camps is now open at whitecapsfc.com/camps, and for academies at whitecapsfc.com/academy. Return dates for programs in each region will depend on local health guidelines.

Every program will feature a virtual appearance by a Whitecaps FC first team player. Camp registrants will also take part in a national skills challenge, with the top performers invited to Vancouver for the final in the Fall and winners announced live at BC Place in 2021.

Safety protocols and procedures

• All BMO Academy sessions and Summer Skills Camps presented by Bell will follow a no contact policy – subject to local health regulations.
• As per health guidelines, space in each program will be limited to 40 players.
• Training fields will be split into four, with a maximum of 10 players assigned to each quadrant.
• Whitecaps FC coaches and a safe sport officer will manage all training space assignments.
• Before the first camp or academy session for each player, a video call will be scheduled with all participants and guardians to go over new training procedures.
• Similar to MLS team protocols, prior to participation players will be subject to online symptom screening checks, as well as on arrival at the facility.
• Every summer camp and BMO Academy will have a trained safe sport officer present to monitor the health and safety of all participants, including adhering to all safe sport, sanitization, and physical distancing policies.
• All equipment will be cleaned and sanitized before and after every training session.
• Wash stations will be located at all primary entrances/exits to the training field. Players and staff will be required to wash their hands regularly.
• Balls will be pre-set in training grids for all players before their arrival.