Boys MLS Prospects

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The Vancouver Whitecaps FC and SNS – Soccer Nova Scotia, have partnered on a BMO Atlantic Canada Development Centre (ACDC), that also includes Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association (NLSA), and Prince Edward Island Soccer Association (PEISA). The ACDC will provide local young talent a pathway to professional soccer, scholarships, and the Canadian national teams.

Based out of Halifax, the Atlantic collaboration includes the addition of a Whitecaps FC BMO Eastern Canada head coach, Mike Ayyash, to serve as the ACDC’s head coach. Ayyash, in collaboration with Soccer Nova Scotia, will oversee high performance programming as well as provide oversight and support. He will bring players from the three ACDC locations together for high level competition and participation in club combines and events.

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               Pathway              Opportunities

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Local Halifax pathway programs include a full-time U13 to U17 Boys MLS Prospects, and Girls Elite REX Prospects. In addition Ayyash will lead regional BMO academy centres and camp opportunities in partnership with organizations. BMO Academy players earn opportunities to showcase their talent at Player ID events, which can also lead to full-time funded places at the Boys MLS Academy and Girls Elite REX programs in Vancouver. Recent BMO Academy successes include Bayern Munich hero Alphonso Davies and PSG star Jordyn Huitema.

Click here to know more about the BMO Atlantic Canada Development Centre.

For additional information, please contact:

Mike Ayyash (Eastern Canada Head Coach): mayyash@whitecapsfc.com
Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Administration: gopro@whitecapsfc.com

Mike_AyyashMike Ayyash
Academy Centre Director

Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel      
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Citizenship: Canadian
Years with Whitecaps FC: 3    
Previous Clubs: Bedford Soccer Association, Soccer Nova Scotia
Certifications: Canadian National A License         
Playing Experience: Dalhousie University, 1995 National Champions
Coaching Experience: Bedford Soccer Association Technical Director, Soccer Nova Scotia provincial teams head coach, REX Nova Scotia lead coach
Email: mayyash@whitecapsfc.com

Mike Ayyash
Academy Centre Director
Email: mayyash@whitecapsfc.com

Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Administration
Email: gopro@whitecapsfc.com

It starts with a goal

Whitecaps FC and BMO share a commitment to developing soccer talent across the country. With World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System helps provide a foundation for Canada’s soccer future.

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> BMO ACADEMY CENTRES

A coast-to-coast network of Academy Centres identifies young talent and provides a gateway to professional soccer, scholarships, and the Canadian national teams, including a pathway to Vancouver with the Boys MLS Academy and the Girls Elite Academy program.
Provincial Centres are in many cases in partnership with provincial soccer associations. Players identified here have a pathway to the Whitecaps Boys Residency and Girls Elite Academy programs in Vancouver. BC Centres are part of the local pathway and provide players with an opportunity to support selection to the BCSPL (BC Soccer Premier League), as well as the Whitecaps Prospects, and full-time academies. All centres are supported by the Whitecaps Caps to College program.

> PRE-BOYS MLS ACADEMY AND PRE-GIRLS ELITE

Prior to entering the Boys MLS Academy and Girls Elite Academy teams, players can also be selected into the full-time and funded Whitecaps FC Pre-MLS Academy and Whitecaps FC Pre-Girls Elite program. Players at U-14 players train four times per week with regular competitive matches against select competition which also includes tournament travel. In addition a part-time U-13 program includes select players remaining with their BCSPL club, and training with Whitecaps FC once per week.

> WHITECAPS FC BOYS MLS ACADEMY

A full-time, fully funded player development program. The Academy is designed to maximize a player’s potential on and off the field through a “soccer lifestyle” philosophy linking technical, personal development and education. The program includes over 65 players with the Academy housing U-15, U-17 and U-19 teams that play in the new MLS Elite Youth Development League.
The Academy continues to develop top young talent from across Canada at the club’s new Whitecaps FC National Soccer Development Centre (NSDC) which opened in 2017. In the past year, five players from the Academy ranks have signed MLS contracts with the Whitecaps FC first team, with Academy graduate Alphonso Davies making an MLS record transfer to perennial German Bundesliga.

> WHITECAPS FC GIRLS ELITE ACADEMY

Whitecaps FC, BC Soccer, and Canada Soccer have partnered together to deliver a National Development Centre (NDC), which brings together top female prospects from across Canada to attend school, train, and play together on a daily basis.
This National Development Centre program is one of only three in Canada – (BC, Ontario and Quebec) welcoming the very best U-14 to U-18 high performance female players on a pathway to national team and scholastic opportunities.
Across Canada the Whitecaps FC identify and select players by working together with Canada Soccer, and through official partnerships with the provincial associations of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Recent BMO Academy successes include Jordyn Huitema of OL Reign and Julia Grosso of Juventus FC.

> WHITECAPS CAPS TO COLLEGE

College and university scholarship opportunities are one of the goals of the BMO Academy System. Players have support from Whitecaps head coaching staff and college transition experts to prepare for the best opportunity to play in college and university.
Off field the program is led by Whitecaps Manager of Collegiate Transition, Ryan Clark who works towards supporting and executing player scholarship strategies.

> WHITECAPS BMO ACADEMY CENTRE HPP (High Potential Prospects)

Recognizing the need to connect players across the academy network beyond training, the Whitecaps HPP program provides some exciting network opportunities, incentives and recruitment for identified players while training in their respective academy locations.

BC HPP

  • Influence and identify HPP’s across BC
  • Specialized training and event opportunities in Vancouver.
  • Training and competing with Whitecaps FC Academy centre teams at selected tournaments.
  • Scouting opportunities and placement with partnered BCSPL clubs.

Provincial HPP

  • Influence and identify HPP’s across Canada
  • Player identification events for entry into Whitecaps FC Boys MLS Academy and Girls Elite Academy Programs

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Professional:
Players aspire to reach and play for the Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer (MLS)

Development Squad: An extension of the First Team, bridging the club’s top academy prospects and MLS roster

Boys MLS Academy / Girls Elite REX: Full-time, fully funded, player development programs. Provides a soccer lifestyle philosophy integrating technical, education, and personal development

BMO Academy Centres: A coast-to-coast network of Centres and staff identify young talent and provide a gateway to professional soccer, scholarships, and national teams programs, including a pathway to Vancouver with the Boys MLS Academy and the Girls Elite REX program

Camps / Tournaments / Clinics: Events and camps provide opportunities to be developed and identified

Click here to know the Nova Scotia BMO Players of the Month.