Astra Academy Becomes first Sanctioned Centre of Excellence

 
Friday, February 13, 2015
 
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) is very pleased to announce Astra Academy from Saskatoon as the first organization to meet the rigorous requirements of sanctioning as an SSA Centre of Excellence (COE). This announcement ushers in a new era in player development in Saskatchewan and is the first step in creating a provincial network of sanctioned training environments designed to provide all dedicated Saskatchewan participants with access to standards-based High-Performance training and competition initiatives.
 
“Currently in the third year of a five year implementation plan, the SSA’s High-Performance Stream requires that Coaches hold minimum levels of technical and theory certification, on and off-field training plans maintain a specific number of training hours per maturational stage, the designation and use of an Integrated Sport Science Team, and year round periodization for participants. Envisioned as a ‘network’ of dedicated development centres resembling a ‘web’ throughout Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan’s soccer participants are provided a dedicated province-wide pathway in which to reach their goals. Sanctioning of Saskatoon’s ASTRA Academy is one of the first steps in placing Saskatchewan on the National High-Performance map.” SSA High-Performance Stream Manager – Coach Terrol Russell
 
Formally released in September 2014, the COE sanctioning process ensures participating Member Organizations and Entities meet a strict set of High-Performance development standards aligned with the High-Performance philosophies of the SSA, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and Sport Canada.
COEs are focused primarily on advancing the self-driven athlete and coach toward to higher levels of play (i.e. national teams, semi-professional and professional teams and high level collegiate teams) and providing Saskatchewan’s High-Performance participant with a dedicated, deliberate, and complex training environment to develop within, delivered by qualified coaches and supported by appropriate competition, sports medicine and science, and technology.

“We thank the Saskatchewan Soccer Association and staff for this fantastic opportunity to be part of the high performance stream that ties into soccer across the country. We have worked hard to provide a high quality training environment that supplements club training and provides a stepping stone for players to reach their full potential. We are excited to work closely with the SSA in player and coach development that is part of the COE system.” Director, Astra Academy – Percy Hoff
 
The SSA would like to congratulate and commend Astra Academy on its commitment and contributions to high performance soccer in Saskatchewan and desire to be aligned with the SSA High Performance Stream.
 
“It is an exciting day for the SSA and for high performance soccer in Saskatchewan. We look forward to working with Astra Academy and to welcoming more organizations that share their commitment to high performance athlete and coach development as sanctioned Centres of Excellence in the near future.”  SSA Director of Soccer Operations – Dave Nutt
 
For more information on the Centre of Excellence program, please visit the SSA website or contact Terrol Russell, Manager of High Performance Stream at 306-975-0862 or t.russell@sasksoccer.com.