Sault academy announces partnership

The Sault United Soccer Academy announced a major partnership on Wednesday afternoon at the West End Community Centre.

SUSA has hooked up with BRYST International of Toronto, creating a partnership with the academy

“This has big implications on where we’re going and what we want to do,” said Bill Howe, Academy Director. “We wanted to go towards more of a player development focus, which is why we started this process.”

In speaking to a gathering at the WECC, Howe spoke of the definition of success for Sault United.

“The big success is if we lose a player to bigger and better opportunities,” said Howe, who is also serving as coach of Algoma University’s women’s team. “This is really opening doors to a lot of local players.”

Howe added that the hope is to help players move on to possible university scholarships and possible professional opportunities down the road as well.

Gary Miller, the president of BRYST, was also on-hand in making the announcement.

“What’s happened in the southern part of the province is academies have grown and flourished based on what’s gone on in the club system,” said Miller. “The academies are the private side and the development side while the club system (the community club) has too much focus on winning and losing.”

Miller added that the success of academies has become primarily because of the developments of the players and moving them to a higher level.

Over the 15 years BRYST has been in place, Miller estimates that up to 200 athletes have moved on to American colleges as well as roughly 100 into Canadian schools. Some players have also earned professional trials as well in that period.

“Those types of opportunities are now going to be available to players that are being developed (in Sault Ste. Marie) that can get access and exposure through our programs on a North American level and international level,” said Miller, who recently returned from a trip to Italy with a group of players from BRYST.

In addressing some questions from parents in attendance, Howe noted that players who play with Sault United are not forbidden from playing other levels of soccer in the city.

“We’re very clear in our philosophy that more soccer is better,” said Howe. “We’re providing an option for additional training. It’s an open marketplace here. We’re not exclusive of each other.”