Opportunity

As part of the Individual Development Plan for each player the PDO Director will work closely with players to advance their training, development and competitive opportunities. Opportunities present in many forms in-season and during the off-season. They may include guest playing within GFR, playing up and within one’s age group for another team, guest playing outside of GFR for special events, training with an older age-group, high-intensity off-season training, and training with a youth academy in Europe. Opportunity for more touches on the ball within one’s age-group is a recognized method of developing skill, confidence and leadership. As player development progresses and commitment is demonstrated, opportunities grow. GFR is uniquely situated to offer opportunities in Europe through GFR’s relationship with Real Club Déportivo de La Coruña, also known as Déportivo or simply Dépor.

Déportivo is known throughout Spain as one of the best youth development clubs in the world, and a storied club, having won the Spanish League and cup on several occasions. Their history of player development was the primary focus that drove our decision to partner with them.

Through our partnership, we have had coaches attend and benefit from coaching education by travelling to Spain and participating in courses with the Déportivo Coaching staff.

From the players side, this relationship has opened doors to a network of clubs and provided opportunities for our players to get high level training opportunities, tryouts, and experience throughout Europe. Through this relationship there are opportunities for our players to train in Spain with four Spanish clubs, in Germany with two German clubs, in Greece with two clubs, and in Denmark with Randers FC.

Déportivo	C.D. Calasanz	Racing De Ferrol	Ourense C.F.	Frankfurt

Hoffenheim	Randers FC	Panseraikos	AEK

In the last 2 years, we have had over 12 players who have taken up the opportunity to spend anywhere from two weeks to three months in Spain training while doing online schooling. Three of those players have recently graduated high school and decided on the professional pathway and in the process of securing contracts with European clubs.

-- Mike Mulligan: Greek team Panseraikos
-- Masai Brown: Recent invitation to FC Porto in Portugal for professional trial
-- Arjun Wente: Recent invitation to FC Porto in Portugal for professional trial

We have also had two girls' teams and one boys' team spend Spring Break training and playing friendly matches in Spain.

“I am super excited about this relationship because it opens up other possibilities for our players as well as enhances their experience beyond what we provide locally.” – Radovan Pletka, the GFR EA Director.

Back to PATHWAYS.

Gallery