tssacademy.com - FAQ

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FAQ

In order to help answer your questions, we've put together a list of frequently asked questions. We will be continually adding to this list over time. If your questions are not answered here, please contact us directly and we'd be happy to assist you with whatever information you require.

What is TSS Academy?

Where is TSS Academy located?

Who comes to TSS Academy?

Is TSS Academy for first time soccer players?

Why do players train at TSS Academy?

What TSS staff member spoke these famous words on September 9, 1979: “You are the number 1 fans and we are the number 1 team” ?

What is the commitment level in terms of training frequency and program length?

How do I get involved?

Do you assess players before accepting them?

Do you turn players away?

How are training groups formed?

What is staff member Rob Dattilo’s country of heritage?

Can I resign from TSS Academy?

What if I'm unhappy with the level of the training group?

My daughter/son performs better when placed in a higher level group or by playing-up an age. Can you move my child?

Will I get the same coach every week?

Do I have to pay extra for the TSS kit (jersey, zip top, shorts, socks)?

What staff member is playfully known as “adult small”?

What sorts of things will I learn every week?

Does TSS field teams?

Does Sportstown or TSS run any tournaments?

Do TSS players get a discount in the Soccer Store and Tavern at Sportstown?

Q: What is TSS Academy?

A: TSS is a soccer player development academy. Players who join us are avid and competitive players already committed to club soccer. Our player development model supplements the work done by community coaches by breaking down parts of a soccer game into small-sided activities. Our objective is to improve players and get them to the next level of play.

Q: Where is TSS Academy located?

A: TSS is centrally located in Richmond BC. We are situated on No. 5 Road between  Cambie and Westminster Highway. Our training facility is indoor turf so players have the opportunity to train in a comfortable environment with minimal distractions. The turf allows players to train in their usual equipment (no six studs please).

Q: Who comes to TSS Academy?

A: Players who join us are generally already involved in community soccer, and are  interested in professional coaching to supplement their team training. Our academy is composed of 700 players, both boys and girls, ranging from U7 – U18.

Q: Is TSS Academy for first time soccer players?

A: Since TSS doesn’t formally compete in organized soccer during the fall/winter season, we cannot replicate all parts of the game. As such, we recommend that first time players get involved with their local community clubs. In the younger age brackets, we will accept novice players after a player assessment. In the older age brackets, players come to us with a skill set that is a product of participation. TSS is designed to advance players in their development. In doing so, we tier our training groups according to like-abled players.

Q: Why do players train at TSS Academy?

A: Players traditionally come to TSS in order to improve their game, get extra touches on the ball,  train with like-abled players, and get professional coaching.

Q: What is the commitment level in terms of training frequency and program length?

A: Most groups train once a week. The duration of the session is dependant on  age. For our older groups, sessions are 90 minute and 70 minutes for our Juniors (U6 –U10). The program runs from September to June.

Q: How do I get involved?

A: The first step is to register online through our website to see if there's available space in the age group. We often have wait-lists so it's best to register early.

Q: Do you assess players before accepting them?

A: Yes. Whenever we have a new player apply for entry into our academy, our coaching staff evaluates the player to determine if TSS is an appropriate environment. We are looking for a coachability, competitive spirit, and soccer proficiency. Most importantly, we have to determine if there's a suitable training group for that player. One of the main principles of our program is to have like-abled players train together.

Q: Do you turn players away?

A: Yes, although it doesn’t happen that often. In most cases, we turn players away  because their respective training groups are full. However in some cases, where we feel that a player's ability and development needs don't match those of our training groups, we will suggest alternatives. We do this at both ends of the spectrum - where players are not as strong as others, and where they are too strong for others.

Q: How are training groups formed?

A: One of our guiding principles is to group like-minded, like-able players together. We tier our training  groups in all age brackets from U7-U18. Players who outperform their training group get moved up and players who underperform get moved down. This dynamic movement takes place throughout our program as we recognize that players develop at different times.

Q: What is staff member Rob Dattilo’s country of heritage?

A: We still are not sure. If you know, please fill us in……

Q: Can I resign from TSS Academy?

A: If you have registered using our monthly payment plan, you can resign from TSS at any time so long as you provide 1 month's notice. Players registered on our Basic Plan are not able to resign from the program unless there is a long-term injury accompanied by a doctors note

Q: What if I'm unhappy with the level of the training group?

A: As part of our program, we continually assess our players to ensure they are being adequately challenged. One of the guiding principles of our program is to have like-abled and like-minded players train together. Every week, the coach records the top 2 players and the bottom 2 players in the group. This is based on how the group performed in that particular session. After a few weeks, the staff will review those findings and look to move players either up or down depending on their performance. If you feel that the level of a training group is below your child's standard then we ask that your child makes a point of being the best player in the training group. Once that becomes evident to the coaching staff, your child will be moved.

Q: My daughter/son performs better when placed in a higher level group or by playing-up an age. Can you move my child?

A: You'd be surprised how often we hear this. If you feel that the level is not challenging your child then your child must make that evident to the staff by continually being the best player in the training group. In our view, any player who "plays down" to the level of their group is not ready to be elevated. This can be challenging to the players who have a tendency to "blend in" rather than "stand out". This is particularly problematic in the girls's program. The reality is that competitive sport is performance-based and likewise TSS is performance-based. TSS staff can only move players if they stand out - if they perform. We don't place players into training groups based on where they play in their club or based on the opinion of parents.

Q: Will I get the same coach every week?

A: Every training group has what's called a primary coach. This is the coach who runs this particular training group and completes the report cards. We do move coaches around on a rotation every 6 weeks or so in order to expose players to different coaches, However, the primary coach will be running the same group 70% of the time.

Q: Do I have to pay extra for the TSS kit (jersey, zip top, shorts, socks)?

A: No, your fees include the cost of the TSS kit

Q: What staff member is playfully known as “adult small”?

A: The little man known as Brendan Quarry.

Q: What sorts of things will I learn every week?

A: After the first few weeks of assessment, the academy follows a curriculum. Every training group covers the same topics though the activities may vary depending on the ability of the players. For example, on the girl's side, TSS usually spends the first half of the program working on individual skills and then spends the second half working on group play. You can view both the boys and the girls curriculum online.

Q: Does TSS field teams?

A: Yes, TSS will field academy teams in certain age groups. These team will primarily run in the spring/summer and attend a variety of tournaments in Canada, the US, and sometimes overseas. In some cases, teams are formed as early as September and train together throughout the year. TSS will, on occasion, have these teams play a few exhibition games during the year so long as they don't conflict with a player's club commitments. For more information on academy teams, please visit our Academy Teams section.

Q: Does Sportstown or TSS run any tournaments?

A: Yes we do. Our Holiday Power Tournament runs over the winter school break. The tournament has its own dedicated website powertournament.ca which accepts registrations by the last week of October each year.

Q: Do TSS players get a discount in the Soccer Store and Tavern at Sportstown.

A: Each player and their immediate family receive a 15 % discount in both the store and tavern. Players who are registered early receive 30% of all Adidas stock in the store during the month of August each year.