Canada Soccer’s Women’s EXCEL Program brings together the best with the best at the national youth level from the U-14 to U-20 age groups. The program delivers an aligned talent structure that progresses players from the youth levels to the Women’s National Team.
Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Head Coach, Women's National Team
Canada Soccer’s Women's EXCEL Program is a fully aligned advanced player development system that presents an exciting vision and a clear pathway for Canada's elite players and staff. It offers our most talented players a world-class experience befitting a soccer program that has its sights set on FIFA World Cup and Olympic Podiums.
The EXCEL system is supported by a fully integrated team of experts across Technical, Sports Science, Sports Medicine & Mental corners that are committed to evolving and enhancing player and staff development to ensure a seamless aligned player experience from the U15 age to the Women’s National Team.
The EXCEL program brings together the most talented U-15 to U-18 inside Regional EXCEL centres. A two-tiered Talent Identification system with EXCEL Super Centers in British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec supported by smaller localized Regional EXCEL Centres positioned across the country ensures that more players receive more higher quality development hours through a research-based curriculum.
The Regional EXCEL centres are a collaboration between Canada Soccer and the provincial and territorial Member Associations, to create an infrastructure of youth specialist coaching, sports science, and the latest mentaland physical training programs.
The National EXCEL program brings together the most promising youth players from the U-15 –U-20 age groups, to compete in youth competitions across CONCACAF & FIFA. A culture of growth and excellence is created through detailed and aligned 4 corner planning with the aim to progress players into professional environments and into our Women’s National Team after gaining these valuable International Tournament experiences.
The EXCEL program continues to unite and strengthen the ways that we identify and develop our most promising young athletes from across Canada to help drive elite women’s soccer forward.