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Taylor Kidd, playing for FC Northwest, has landed a soccer scholarship in the U.S. (SUPPLIED PHOTO)

Thousands of youth soccer players across Winnipeg are hoping to take their game to the next level.  

Starting Feb. 10, five youth district soccer clubs will be holding tryouts for the 2012-13 outdoor soccer season at venues across the city, including the Winnipeg Indoor Soccer Complex at the University of Manitoba.

The clubs include Bonivital, FC Northwest, Phoenix, Portage Trails and South End United and serve players from parts of Winnipeg, as well as Headingley.

Aimed at males and females aged 9 to 18, the upcoming premier, premier-developmental and developmental programs are aimed at players seeking a higher level of skill development, training and competition than recreational soccer can provide.

Adam Dooley, director of communications for Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association, said West Kildonan native and Team Canada’s Desiree Scott is a shining example of a Winnipeg player making it from the grassroots to international level.

"There’s a great stream for kids to ultimately get scholarships in Canada or the U.S.," said Dooley, noting WYSA has more than 9,000 registered youth who play during the outdoor season.

"Our goal is to try and get as many kids through the system as possible," added the Fort Rouge resident.
One leading Winnipeg soccer figure and long-time coach said the tryouts give talent evaluators the chance to analyze players in a centralized location.

"It gives technical groups the chance to do it at one venue, which is better than the old scenario when some teams were in a gym setting on a piecemeal basis," said Martino Vergata, president of FC Northwest.

Verdata, who lives in Garden City, pointed out numerous success stories at the grassroots level, including FC Northwest products Stephan Malo and Dylan Sacramento, who recently had tryouts with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.

"Our philosophy here at the club is to focus on showcasing these players and honing in on their development," Vergata said.

Verdata said the quality of youth soccer in Winnipeg has improved in recent years due to demographics and structure.

"Technically, our players have improved greatly. There’s been an influx of immigrants and our districts are actually very well organized, especially since adapting to the head coach model," he said.

One soccer parent has also noticed an improvement in the past few years.

"Compare now with five years ago and it’s totally different at club level. There are huge opportunities out there to play soccer at a high level," said Trevor Kidd, who has three soccer-playing daughters.

Kidd — an East St. Paul resident and former NHL goaltender who had stints with Calgary, Florida and Toronto — said training methods have evolved at youth level.

"They’re starting younger with things like basic touch and as they get older and more educated the focus is more on technique and tactics," he said.

While Kidd’s two youngest — 10 year-old Emerson and 14-year-old Kennedy — will be competing in different tryouts, his older daughter — Taylor — is preparing to head to the University of Texas at El Paso on a soccer scholarship later this year.

Taylor, who had her first tryout aged 12, said it was a valuable experience.

"I thought it was good to try difficult things. It brought me out of my comfort zone," Taylor said. "You get to play with people who have the same commitment and dedication and love of the sport."

Taylor said the standard of coaching in the province has improved during her career.

 "Especially with the facility at the University of Manitoba. The coaches started taking me to different tournaments and helped create better opportunities," she said.

For more information, visit www.winnipegyouthsoccer.com.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com