What Is The ELITE Academy?
The ELITE Academy Program is a level of training that provides the opportunity for teams to train above the Rep program level. ELITE Academy teams have the opportunity to train with Toronto FC Academy coaches, make trips to BMO Training Grounds for development and participate in exclusive showcase events with other Toronto FC affiliate clubs!
Training Schedule
To ensure player and team success, the ELITE Academy program requires a year-round commitment. This means there will be 40+ weeks of structured programming that will vary in intensity and frequency during in-season, off-season and pre-season training and game play.
The U8-U10 Training Schedule is as follows:
- 1 indoor training session per week prior to the winter holiday break
- 2 indoor training sessions per week January until April
- 2 outdoor training sessions per week in spring/summer
The U11-U18 Training Schedule is as follows:
- 2 indoor training sessions per week prior to the winter holiday break
- 3 indoor training sessions per week from January until April
- 3 outdoor training sessions per week in the spring/summer
Kitchener TFC strongly encourages the development of the proper mindset and positive training habits at all levels of play; however, the Academy places a stronger emphasis on the following areas to build a more robust soccer culture:
- Physical Training
- Skill and Development
- Mental Training
- Nutritional Management
- Recovery Principles
- Injury Treatment & Prevention
In addition, the ELITE Academy will focus on time management for balancing school, sport and family life; establishing a code of conduct for players, coaches, managers, Club officials, parents and fans; and will work to build a solid framework to ensure Academy coaches know individual players and train each player appropriately to foster success.
2025 Program Fees
Kitchener Elite Academy prides itself on being an affordable opportunity for athletes to develop as a player and person, while training and learning the game of soccer. We offer structured installment payments that spread the fee out over 5 payments from October through March.
The fees for the 2025 Season are as follows:
U8 – $2050
U9-U10 – $2700
U11-U18 – $3100
Fees cover the following:
- League Fees (WRSL or SWRSL, league meetings, league disciplinary hearings, etc.)
- District Fees (SWRSA registration and necessary additional fees)
- League Bond Fee
- Training Schedule
- Games (full league schedule with necessary changes, fields and bookings for 8+ home games)
- Uniforms (home and away kit)
- Equipment (training gear, coach’s kit, practice equipment, team clothing allowance)
- Access to VEO cameras for recording games
- Referee Fees
- Leadership Fees (Academy Director, Assistant AD, Mentor, Team Coach, and other fees)
- Practice Fields
- Administration (office administration fees)
- Registration (credit card fees, Sports Engine fees)
- Player Card
Tournaments and travel costs are not included in the Elite Academy Fees.
Accessibility and affordability for all children to play soccer continues to be a long-standing imperative for Club. The cost to play should not be a barrier, and a number of community support programs exist for fee assistance. Information on fee assistance and payment plans is available by contacting Sandra at ar@kitchenersc.com.
Welcome Package
Please click HERE to view the Elite Academy Welcome Package.
Leadership
The Academy Program is led by Mario Halapir. Mario served as Academy Director from 2014-2024 and now serves as the Club Head Coach. He’s been involved with Kitchener SC in some capacity for 37 years – as a player, volunteer and coach. In addition to his current position as our Club Head Coach, he’s also the coach of the Laurier University men’s team, where he was OUA coach of the year in 2008. In 2015, Mario was an integral member of the coaching staff for the North American Champions K-W United, playing in the PDL – part of the United Soccer League system that is considered the top U23 men’s league in North America. Mario has his Provincial and National B license, and there are currently over a dozen players he’s coached playing professionally in Europe, MLS, USL and CPL. Additionally, he has also been involved with MLS franchise Toronto FC as a scout. Before focusing on coaching, Mario played in the Canadian Soccer League.
Questions
If you have any questions about our Elite Academy program, please reach out to Dan Smith at ktfc@kitchenertfc.com or via phone at (519) 896-8947 x14.
