Memories of the recent March Break will be forever engraved in the minds of some very fortunate OSU Force players who embarked on an ambitious and highly successful eight-day OSU Force – Soccer Academy Tour of some of the world’s top soccer clubs in England.
Two teams, comprised of 22 U14 and 10 U11 boys from the club’s Force Academy travelled to England along with Head Technical Coach Paul Harris and other OSU coaching staff, OSU President Bill Michalopulos, OSU GM Jim Lianos and Hassan Nazari, Executive Director of OSU’s strategic partner in the USA, the Dallas Texans, who were able to conduct strategic and alliance discussions with some key English Premier clubs and people for future opportunities.
The tour focused on practicing with some of England’s most acclaimed Football Academies. Each player was coached by the very best of English Youth Academy staff at clubs including: Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at some of England’s top sports training facilities and Academy venues.
In addition, the OSU tour provided an excellent opportunity to put players and teams to the test by playing select exhibition games scheduled throughout the week against some of England’s finest young soccer hopefuls. Both teams held their own against Fulham, Wrexham and Everton Academy teams, proving that they are capable of playing and competing at the highest level, and reaffirming the coaching methodology at Ottawa South United is truly first class.
Between the Academy practices and exhibition games, there was time for other equally memorable activities. Visits to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, Manchester United’s Old Trafford, Everton’s Goodison Park and an impromptu visit to Liverpool’s Anfield proved highly popular with all tour participants.
As if this was not enough, the teams also watched a live English Premier game and a live Championship game, savouring the electric atmosphere and passion that is synonymous with English football and culture. There was even a little time to relax, allowing the boys to take in the sights and sounds of London, Manchester and Liverpool.
OSU exclusive tour
OSU is very proud of every player who participated and represented the club. The coaching staff received positive and sincere accolades for the standard of soccer that both teams achieved. This opportunity – an OSU Force exclusive locally for a professional tour of this nature – gives players an insight into English Academy soccer and serves as a benchmark for OSU’s club development.
“This exclusive tour is in line with OSU’s long term strategic plan of developing its global soccer network to benefit our players, our club and our coaches,” highlights OSU President Bill Michalopulos. “Exposing our teams and players to such famous soccer academies is not easy – one can not simply pick up the phone and make this happen.
“Our robust international soccer network, our alliances, our people, and our club’s success over the years is what opens up these type of exclusive opportunities to our current players and to our future teams and players.
“It was very satisfying to see how well our players did, and how receptive these academies were to continuing an incremental collaboration.”