The motivation behind the Royal City Youth Soccer Association academy is to bring the best out in everyone.
Unlike programs that cater to elite players, the New Westminster program wants every boy and girl enrolled in its academy to come away with improved skills.
With upwards of 40 young players from under8 to 13 engaged in the extra-time sessions, Royal City is offering its winter academy at Queen's Park Stadium, beginning next week.
The girls will open on the grass field on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The final session will be held on March 13.
The boys will take over on the Thursday and run until March 14.
The extra sessions will be run by Royal City's technical directors - Gerry Heaney, Ian Wakeling, Sava Miljanic and other high-level assistants.
The total cost of the academy is $120.
There are two sessions per day, with u-8-to-10 players beginning at 5: 30 p.m. and u-11 and up following at 6: 45 p.m.
Girls and boys will also be divided by skill level.
"We're trying to motivate players to get extra practice in specific skills to improve their individual talent," said Miljanic, who currently holds a coaching B license.
"Compared to other clubs, we are right there. But we want to bring more awareness. Let's make it better quality and get more players out there."
Royal City is currently running a goalkeepers academy with Simon Smith Goalkeeping Academy.
Players who benefited from the individual academy training include the members of last season's under15 Provincial A Cup champion New West Barcelona metro-level girls' team, the Royal City Salsa team that went undefeated in league play from 2008 to 2010, and the Royal City Ravens, the 2008 under-11 girls' North District champions.
