Soccer Academy
The goal of the Soccer Academy program is to provide young soccer players with an environment to develop their skills to reach their full potential. Our academies offer comprehensive programs designed to challenge and inspire each player, regardless of their current level of play.
In addition to technical and tactical training, we place a strong emphasis on character development, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Our academies believe in helping players grow not only as soccer players, but also as well-rounded individuals.
Whether players are just starting out or looking to take their game to the next level, ECSD soccer academies are the ideal place for student athletes to achieve their goals. Join us and experience the best in soccer training and development available in Edmonton.
The Soccer Academy at St. Thomas More offers students a variety of on and off field training sessions. On-field sessions include soccer fundamentals such as dribbling, defending, passing, shooting and tactics. On-field sessions take place at the West Edmonton Soccer Centre and outside on our school field. Off-field sessions include team-building, cross-training, weight training, volleyball, basketball, badminton, rock climbing, outdoor pursuits, floor hockey, mental training, character development and various other field trips. Mr. Marcelo Lafuente is the director for our soccer academy. Mr. Lafuente has extensive soccer experience. He has played for the Grant MacEwan Griffins and has extensive coaching experience. The fees for the soccer program is $2,000/year minus deposit. The $2,000 covers the full projected budget per each student. The academy runs from September through June. Payment options can be arranged by contacting the school.
Open House Jan 30 2024-25.pptx
Application
Begin the application process and become a Knight today!
Guidelines & Expectations
STM Academy of Soccer Excellence
All student applicants must sign the Behaviour Contract in order to participate in Soccer Academy.
General School and academy guidelines and expectations
…You are in the Academy because of who you are…
Our goal is to not only develop the student athlete’s individual soccer skills, but also to develop their character, commitment, leadership, goal setting, time management and teamwork skills. In order to accomplish this we will develop a competitive program that allows the student athlete to meet with success, yet challenges and motivates them to be their best.
A. Academic and Behavioral Expectations
There is a high level of expectation for each student in the Soccer Academy. Each student must:
Regular Classes
- Come to class on time and prepared i.e. textbook, notebook, pencil, pen, etc.
- Come to school on time
- Complete his/her homework and assignments to the best of their ability and hand them in on time
- Maintain appropriate grades
- Maintain proper behavior i.e. no suspensions
Academy
- Be changed into appropriate academy clothing
- Be on time for practice sessions
- Maintain proper behavior
If the above expectations are not met then the following action will result:
- The academy director will implement a consequence if one is warranted. A letter will be sent home to inform the parent that this has occurred and of the next step and/or implemented consequence.
- If consequences are implemented more then twice within any one month period the student misses one week of practices and will remain in the success center completing homework/assignments. At this point the student is also placed on probation until there has been a meeting with his/her parents to discuss potential removal from the academy and to reiterate academy expectations.
- At the beginning of each month the student is given a clean slate which allows them the opportunity to refocus on Academy expectations. However a pattern of inappropriate behavior and subsequent consequences indicates an unwillingness to adhere to academy expectations and further actions may be warranted.
B. Academy Behavior
- You are representing the academy at all times; act and behave accordingly
- Treat each student and instructor in the academy with respect
- You must be self motivated to train in a competitive environment throughout the school year – train to the best of your ability every time you step on the field
- Accept and acknowledge your mistakes and then strive to improve
- You must be changed in academy gear, on time and prepared to train every day – RAIN, WIND OR SHINE!
- Demonstrate self control
- Win without boasting, lose without excuses and never quit
C. Dress
- You will be provided with two pair of socks, three t-shirts, one jersey, one track suit, two pair of shorts, one pack sack and one back pack – these are yours to keep so please take care of them
- You are responsible for your outdoor and indoor footwear (one pair for each is suitable) and shin pads
- You are expected to wear your academy gear to each training session. This includes socks, shorts, shirt and/or track suit (weather dependent); no exceptions!
- You are expected to wear shin pads to each training session; no exceptions!
D. Fees
- In order to ensure facilities, transportation and field trips are booked, please keep your account current. Please see Payment Options forms for details.
E. On Field Instruction
The training will focus on:
- individual and small group technical skill development
- individual and small group tactical strategy and development
- agility, speed and body awareness training
- game awareness
On field instruction will be: 3 days/week
F. Classroom/Off Field Instruction
Classroom and off field instruction themes will include:
| Rules/regulations of the game | Game Analysis | Predator & Prey |
| Nutrition | Weight Training | Swimming |
| Boxing/Fitness | Yoga | Taekwondo |
| Biking | Wall Climbing | Bowling |
Academy Staff
 MR. MARCELO LAFUENTETEACHER/INSTRUCTOR/DIRECTOR AMSL, Grant MacEwan Alumni, National B trained, Impact 05 girls and 08 boys, Provincial B License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. |
 LINDSAY NELSONInstructor Lindsay played with the University of Alberta Pandas and Victoria AMSL. |
DAN REIMERFITNESS INSTRUCTOR In 201, Dan Reimer completed his degree in kinesiology specializing in sport performance from the University of Alberta. Over the past decade, he has dedicated to improving his craft as a strength and conditioning coach working with two university teams (men’s hockey and women’s basketball), an on-ice training and power skating coach, S&C coach for SWZ hockey organization, a corporate fitness spin instructor, working with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2015 rookie/main camp, and training hundreds of athletes through his sport performance training business, Vara Unik (https://varaunik.com/). Dan started working as the fitness instructor at STM in 2013, with both the hockey and soccer academies. He constantly strives to create a competitive and safe training environment for the entire athlete’s he works with on a daily basis. Regardless of where each athlete ends up in the future, his training philosophy is to help every STM athlete build the physiological foundation that is critical to excel both short and long term. Danny loves working at STM because, “it allows me the opportunity to both educate athletes the importance of high QUALITY training necessary to be better, and exemplify how training should be fun!” |
Monthly Calendar
Mr. Lafuente is now using a Google Calendar. Please click the link below to view more!
Facilities
Jasper Place Recreation Centre - 9200 163 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5R 0A7
Jasper Place Turf Bowl -9210 163 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5R 0A7
Turf Training Centre - 5820 59 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 3G9
Soccer Academy Fees & Budgets
The Sports Academies are fully funded by program fees
Request a Shadow Day
Shadow Days work as a two-fold opportunity for a prospective St. Thomas More family to gauge the overall fit of the school and to ensure that we are the right place for your child to begin or continue their education. We offer a Shadow Day as a “true-to-life experience,” for prospective students.
Any student interested in requesting a shadow day, please contact our Director:
Marcelo.Lafuente@ecsd.net or 780.484.2434