December 15, 2011--CSL's York Region Shooters Combine With School For Elite Athletes (from CSL website)
CSL’S YORK REGION SHOOTERS COMBINE WITH SCHOOL FOR ELITE ATHLETES The CSL’s York Region Shooters and the PEAC School for Elite Athletes have struck an agreement for the sharing of expertise and facilities in that their respective fields in an effort to develop more Canadian players for international and high level soccer home and abroad. York Region Shooters have for many years given priority to the development of young soccer players while having their prominent professional team in the CSL’s First Division as part of a pyramid arrangement that provides an extra competitive edge and inspiration to young players with promise. The club has been a stepping stone for a number of players moving to a higher level overseas and with Canada’s national team, the most notable being midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, now 28, who began his soccer career in earnest with the York Region organization, is now playing in Europe while prominent with the Canadian World Cup team. Hutchinson has marked up more than 55 appearances for Canada in recent years and was voted Canada’s top male player of the year in 2010. PEAC, located in Toronto and London, Ontario, offers athletes from various sports the opportunity to be well-grounded while developing a strong foundation for athletic success. Conditioning and strength training, nutritional counselling and education are important components of the program - the essential peripherals needed in today’s highly competitive world for those who strive for a place in professional sports. The arrangement will provide for PEAC soccer players already in PEAC programs for skills development by licensed coaches, the opportunity to interface with competitive soccer, its facilities, practices and training with York Region. York Region Shooters will have access to highly qualified instructors, gymnasium time and other benefits at PEAC facilities, the main centre of which is located at the Downsview Park Sports Centre in north Toronto. “This is an excellent arrangement for the players in the Shooters organization and I know we will benefit considerably working with PEAC, while in turn soccer players with PEAC have an opportunity to extend their training in a more serious, highly competitive environment,” said Tony De Thomasis, president of York Region Shooters in making the announcement with Neil Doctorow, the director of PEAC School for Elite Athletes. “The arrangement will help to identify and assist more promising young players who deserve the opportunity to play at a high level,” added De Thomasis. The agreement is effective immediately. Media enquiries and players requiring additional information should contact: Tony De Thomasis tel: 905 731-9800 email: tdt@dethomasfinancial.com Neil Doctorow tel: 416 398-7322 email: neil@peac.ca 2011 Canadian Soccer League.
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