Ottawa Fury Soccer Club Announces
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Fury Soccer Club is proud to announce that Youth Academy goalkeeper Aidan Aylward has signed with the Whitecaps FC Boys Residency Program. Aylward officially joined Whitecaps FC last month just over a year after the MLS club first identified him at the Super Y-League Finals in Florida.
“On behalf of the Ottawa Fury, the U15 Boys team and myself, we wish Aidan nothing but success in his adventure to Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” said head coach Jimmy Zito. “We were very lucky to have such a fine goalkeeper, person and athlete as part of our team for as many years as we have. His love and dedication for the game of soccer have set him apart and are a big reason why he is getting this opportunity.”
Aylward helped backstop the Fury U13 Boys to a spot in the Super Y-League (SYL) North American semifinals in 2011 and in the process garnered plenty of attention from Whitecaps FC Residency scouts. A meeting would follow in early 2012 with the scout followed by a meeting with Whitecaps FC Residency Head of High Performance Stuart Neely.
Aylward was scheduled to attend a trial last July, but it would be postponed due to injury. The young netminder was diligent in keeping the WFC staff up-to-date on his continued progress and was invited for a trial this past December after helping lead his Fury U14 Boys team to a North American Championship silver medal. Only a couple weeks into the New Year Aylward was officially offered a spot with the Whitecaps U16 Residency team.
“I have known Aidan for a number of years and followed his progress with the Fury and the Ontario Provincial Program. Prior to my arrival here, he was obviously a player on my radar,” said Neely. “He is a great match performer and organizer but must improve his training abilities – this is where his biggest improvement will come from. Add in the physical traits he has and what we have to offer as a program, he is a good young prospect for the National program and our club. It will be a big performance adjustment for Aidan as the demands of daily training do take their toll on a young body and mind. However he will be nurtured properly in the good hands of our Residency GK Coach, Raegyn Hall.” The Whitecaps Head of High Performance also spoke very highly of the Fury’s Academy. “We would like to thank the staff at the Fury for their ongoing support of the Canadian player and game, they do a good job in building the future.”
The newest member of the WFC Residency program was able to make a well-educated decision as he had been seen by all three Canadian MLS clubs and had looked at all three Academies over the past year.
“Signing with the Whitecaps gives me the opportunity to improve upon every aspect of my game and work towards getting to the next level,” said Aylward. “The coaches here are great and being in a structured environment with daily training sessions, strong weekly competition and a school that is supportive of athletes will make a huge difference. It is a very good first step towards playing professionally one day.”
Aylward joined the Ottawa Fury Academy in 2009 and immediately began his development under Club Goalkeeper Coach David Bellemare who has produced over 20 goalkeepers that have earned NCAA or CIS scholarships. “From day one, Aidan has showed great technical and physical abilities, but what distinguishes him from the other goalkeepers is his undeniable commitment to always push his own limits,” said Bellemare. “He is a great student of the game and is always up for a new challenge and I wish him all the best in this new opportunity.” Aylward becomes the third goalkeeper under Bellemare to sign with an MLS Academy with Chad Bush being the first joining TFC Academy and now attends Duke University. Erhan Yilmaz joined the Impact Academy this past fall and with Aylward signing with Whitecaps FC the Club now has had goalkeepers with all three Canadian MLS Academies.
During his four years in the Fury Academy Aylward credits the Club for providing an exceptional training environment where he was able to train alongside the best players in the city. Aylward credits two coaches in particular for his continued development while with the club – David Bellemare and Jimmy Zito. “There are no two coaches in Ottawa that could have done a better job getting me ready for the Whitecaps. They are friends, mentors and absolutely brilliant and passionate coaches.” Aylward also credits his family for all of their endless support with both the Fury and his new venture with Whitecaps FC.
Bytown Boys Supporters Club to Run Scavenger Hunt
Ottawa Street Soccer to Benefit from This Event
The Bytown Boys Supporters Club is raising money for Ottawa Street Soccer, a group that aims to connect with people living in shelters and individuals who have been isolated by bringing them together to play soccer. By doing this they help create a sense of community and develop social skills.
Half of all the registration fees of the competition will be given to the charity.
We are planning a photo scavenger hunt based in downtown Ottawa and the Byward Market with cryptic clues regarding the world of soccer.
Participants are encouraged to wear soccer jerseys, scarves and hats or if an organisation wishes they may also wear their own uniform.
The event is scheduled for April 27th, 2013.
Entering is quite simple: an entry fee of $20 for a 2 person team, each team must have a digital camera in some shape or form. Teams will have to solve the clues and take a picture of each other at the “answer.”
The prizes are; 1st place half of the total registration fees, 2nd place a Bytown Boys supporter scarf for each team member and 3rd place a Bytown Boys T-shirt for each member.
The more participants, means more funds for Street Soccer and a larger first prize.
Because this will take place downtown we recommend that you walk, bicycle, use OC Transpo, or a combination of the three. (OC Transpo currently has a family day pass which includes 2 people over 13 for $7.75 on weekends)
Financial fair play draws closer as Premier League chairmen vote in favour
by Sky Sports News, February 7, 2013
David Gold: Represented West Ham at meeting of 20 clubs
Premier League clubs have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of introducing financial restrictions, according to West Ham joint-chairman David Gold.
Representatives of the clubs initially met in December to discuss proposals which would impose short-term limits on wage rises and force clubs to work towards breaking even.
The 20 members agreed to reconvene this week, when 14 votes were required to approve the proposals.
Full details of the agreement are expected to be disclosed later on Thursday, but Gold emerged from the vote to tell Sky Sports News: “The clubs supported change.
“We’ve all voted and it was overwhelmingly supported. Some clubs are a little concerned, but the vast majority voted in favour.
“That will now go to the board for putting into rules, and we’ll vote on that in April.
“It’s not a salary cap, it’s a restraint on over-spending. If clubs increase their revenues then they can increase their spending. We have got restraint, that’s the important thing.”
The possibility of regulation has arisen against the backdrop of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play initiative.
Under UEFA’s new rules clubs are being forced to minimise losses or risk the possibility of exclusion from European competition from 2014/15.
What Is It About ‘David Beckham’ That Turns So Many Brains To Mush?
by Bobby McMahon, Sunday, February 03, 2013
On Thursday morning David Beckham signed a contract to play for Paris Saint-Germain in France‘s Ligue 1.
Since the Qatar Investment Authority took over PSG in 2011 the aim has been to make the team a major force in world soccer and by signing Beckham they think he can help make the dream a reality.
“He’s a very proficient player and I’m sure he will add big volume to the club,” stated club President Nasser al-Khelaifi. (Hopefully a remark conveyed by an over-worked translator.)
And of course Brand-Beckham once again became the acquisition that launched a million articles and generated an outpouring of hyperbole.
Another team, another shirt to sell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“A coup not only for Paris Saint- German but also for Ligue 1.”
“Boosting the club’s prestige and marketing prowess.”
“Great marketing from Paris Saint Germain, expected to attract a worldwide audience for Ligue 1 games.”
“The realization of a dream for Paris Saint Germain came to fruition yesterday.”
So much Kool-Aid; so little time.
Of course six years ago you could have replaced Paris Saint Germain with Los Angeles Galaxy and Ligue 1 with Major League Soccer.
A sober assessment of Beckham’s six seasons in MLS would tell you that few if any of the lofty expectations set out in 2007 were actually achieved. Remember the accepted-as-fact $250M contract?
Beckham’s time in MLS increased visibility for the league not only in North America but around the world. But did MLS have to fight off hoards of international broadcasters ready to toss hundreds of millions of dollars their way?
By the end of the Beckham era international rights holders for MLS amounted to 46 broadcaster partners.
In an industry that has seen increased competition for live sports and soccer inventory in the last five years or so the fact that no dollar value was included in the press release tells you that the deals are all about exposure and contribute very little to the bottom line.
MLS saw an increase in attendance during the Beckham-era; 2006 it was 15,504 and last year it had reached 18,807. When measured over 323 games that means that an additional 1,065,000 spectators watched MLS on an apples-to-apples basis.
But Seattle Sounders and their remarkable fans accounted for 733,000 and alone boosted the average for the entire league by over 1,400 fans per game. After adjusting for the Sounders, the average increase for MLS games was 1,900 spectators.
(The Los Angeles Galaxy average attendance rose by about 2,200 from 2006 to 2012.)
Growth is good but I have yet to see any articles predict that the arrival of Beckham in Ligue 1 will add a modest 10% more fans to the present average Ligue 1 average gate of 19,000.
And remember the MLS experience lasted six seasons. Beckham’s deal with PSG lasts 5 months – about the same length of time a company would hire a summer student.
FC London selected as No. 1 organization
By Morris Dalla Costa, The London Free Press
Monday, December 17, 2012
Ian Campbell. (QMI Agency file photo)
FC London have been honored as the USL Premier Development League Organization of the Year for 2012.
The club was given the prestigious award at the USL’s annual general meeting in Tampa over the weekend.
FC London won the PDL championship in August, defeating the Carolina Dynamo 2-1 in North Carolina. It was the club’s fourth year in existence.
The award is given to the club which best exemplifies success and leadership.
“The executives at FC London are a prime example of what the PDL is all about,” senior PDL direction Jeff McRaney said in a release. “Creating opportunities for players while building community involvement and a long-term love of the game is the league’s primary goal and FC London has done an exceptional job in these areas.
“We don’t take this award lightly and in the case of FC London, it’s an acknowledgement of their success both on and off the field.”
Ian Campbell, president of FC London, and coach Martin Painter are the driving forces behind the organization.
“I think people underestimate the work that goes on behind the scenes to present not only quality on the soccer field but also a quality fan experience,” Campbell said. “Since Day 1, this has been an organization that represents soccer in London. From the team on the field to the fans in the stands, it’s important to keep the bar high. Now we have to set that bar higher.”
In four seasons as coach, Painter has record of a 34 wins, 11 ties and 19 losses along with four playoff wins including the North American championship.
“Not only have we focused on winning games, we’ve focused on presenting a professional fan experience that we can all be proud of,” Campbell said. “This award confirms that what we’ve brought to London sports is a top class experience both on and off the field . . . by North American standards.”
Billionaire financier George Soros is getting in on the game, taking a minority stake in soccer club Manchester United.
AP – New York
Soros disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday that he owns 7.85 percent of Manchester United’s Class A shares. The filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was made by Soros’ hedge fund, Soros Fund Management LLC.
The 134-year-old English Premier League soccer club went public on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month.
The American family that owns the team, the Glazers, have voting control over it through Class B shares that have 10 times the voting power of the stock sold to the public.
The Glazer family also owns the American football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Malcolm Glazer is CEO of First Allied Corp., a holding company with numerous business interests. His two sons Avram and Joel are co-chairmen of Manchester United.
While Manchester United has rabid fan support, it did not receive as hearty of a welcome on the public stock market. Its debut over a week ago was considered disappointing, with enthusiasm for the celebrated team overshadowed by its debt load and financial track record. Manchester United carried 416.7 million pounds ($666.2 million) in debt as of March 31. It had no debt when it was bought by the Glazer family in 2005.
Manchester United’s stock closed at $14 on its first trading day, valuing the club at $2.3 billion, slightly higher than the record $2 billion paid for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team earlier this year.
The company’s stock closed at $13.06 on Monday, down 7 percent from its debut.
