Kicking things up a notch in East St. Paul

East St. Paul

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This article was published 09/08/2023 (1113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In some ways, A.K. Soccer Academy is in a league of its own — the Premier League, in fact.

The East St. Paul-based academy has partnered with English Premier League mainstay Everton Football Club to bring Everton’s international soccer schools program to Canada for the first time this summer.

A.K. Soccer Academy became the first Canadian soccer club to join Everton’s International Academy Affiliate Program when it signed up in May 2022.

The program gives young players between five and 18 years old the opportunity to access high-quality coaching from the curriculum used at the Liverpool-based club’s Category One Academy in England.

A.K. is hosting coaches from Everton this month, giving young players a chance to access professional-level coaching and develop their skills.

Paddy Byrne, Everton’s international academy technical manager, said in a phone interview from England recently that the program not only gives young players the chance to improve their game, but also — importantly — to have fun doing it.

“We want to give young players across the globe the chance to taste what it’s like to train like an Everton player at Finch Farm (Everton’s training ground),” Byrne said, noting Everton is traditionally known as a family club, which further enhances the significance of the partnership.

“We provide a sense of welcome and warmth, and provide safety and security. It’s about the person first, and the player second. It’s important they feel welcome.”

He said while part of the process is about spotting young talent, it’s primarily focusing on instilling a passion for the game into more youngsters.

“First and foremost, it’s about developing a love of the game,” Byrne said. “It’s about giving young players a chance to train with our academy, and experience what it’s like to play in an academy setting.”

Anisha Kinnarath Salam, a technical director at A.K. Academy, said the partnership is helping provide a platform for local young players to go from strength to strength.

“Part of it is about having something different than other clubs have,” Kinnarath Salem said recently. “We’ve developed a really good relationship with Everton Football Club.”

Everton FC coach Dave Ness was recently in the city to take a close look at what’s happening at A.K. Academy, and Kinnarath Salem is thrilled about what the future may hold.

“As an academy, really excited. The kids are really excited, and everyone’s making an effort to get involved,” Kinnarath Salem said.

“It’s very much about making the kids feel a little bit special.”

Visit www.aksocceracademywpg.com to learn more.