Programs + Teams
Programs + Teams
YOUNG LEGENDS
Program U4-U8
Future Manitous Program
U8-U10
Boys Teams
U11-U19
Girls Teams
U11-U19
Young Legends Program U4-U8
Our Young Legends programming provides for the youngest members of our club. Programming is designed to expose participants to movement education along with an early introduction to football. Creating an enjoyable, movement-oriented environment using small-sided games and activities as our teaching tools, players begin the process of developing a feeling of comfort and confidence with the ball at their feet while playing soccer. For those young athletes who demonstrate a passion and desire to grow in the sport, we offer an increased level of programming to match your child’s interest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Young Legends Program
A player-centered, multi-program, developmental initiative for boys and girls within the age groups of U5 to U8. The Young Legends program introduces players to soccer and prepares them to transition to the Future Manitou program offered for players U9 and U10.
The program is organized for age groups of U5-U6 and U7-U8. Within these age groups multiple programs are offered throughout the year to provide an opportunity for young boys and girls to begin their soccer journey. Programs offered throughout the year are the Young Legends League, Skill Builder Clinics, Winter Player Development Program and Young Legends Plus which helps players to transition into our Future Manitou’s Academy.
By structuring the program around a player-centered philosophy we place the player at the center of all decision making, avoiding the challenges often encountered within a coach-centered approach. We also believe delaying player tryouts until they are U11 or older is in their best interest.
Enrollment in the programs offered within the Young Legends age groups is open to any boy or girl within the birth years offered for that year. There are no tryouts or requirements for enrollment in any Young Legends program as we believe that a tryout process at too young of an age creates a de-selection factor and we potentially lose players to the sport of soccer.
Our emphasis is on creating an enjoyable learning environment that focuses on assisting each child to enjoy playing soccer within these early age groups. We work diligently to avoid the ‘winning games syndrome’ that negatively impacts the learning environment and often forces team coaches into decisions that are not in the player’s best long-term interest and reduces their enjoyment and passion for playing soccer.
The results we value at these ages is based on what is best for individual development. We focus on learning, enjoyment, effort, competing, paying attention, working together, and growing a passion for the game of soccer. We always take the field to do our best and hopefully to be successful, but the game result is the least important factor we use to measure success or assess a player’s potential development at these ages.
We actively seek out individuals who would enjoy being involved with children and helping them to enjoy soccer. These coach-facilitators understand that the children they are working with are not adult athletes but young boys and girls who are just beginning their soccer journey. We also involved our Manitou FC coaching staff within the program as well. These individuals are part of our coaching staff and are employed by Manitou FC. Our club’s Sporting Director oversees the instructional program to ensure that the player-centered philosophy and learning environment is delivered as expected.
Future Manitous Competitive Program U8-U10
The Future Manitous initiative is a player-centered program for Boys and Girls in the U8 to U10 age groups. Providing a football learning environment using small-sided games and exercises, individual skill activities, and movement education as our teaching tools, Boys and Girls further develop their confidence as their ability to manipulate the ball improves along with their ability to manage the stress of playing in a reduced time-space environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Future Manitous
A player-centered development initiative for boys and girls within the age groups of U8 to U10. The Future Manitou’s program assists players to transition from the beginning years of grassroots soccer (ages 5-8) to the years when team selection (U11) and formal league play begins at MFC.
The program is organized to provide three practice-play opportunities each week along with a schedule of friendly games or tournament participation on the weekend. Players are grouped in appropriate age group pool that allow the player to move freely between these pools for training and games. We avoid any formal league play at these ages as we do not believe that midweek games requiring travel is in the best interest of the player’s development.
By structuring the program around a player-centered philosophy we place the player at the center of all decision-making, avoiding the challenges often encountered within a team-centered approach. We also believe delaying the process of player tryouts until they are older and further along the player pathway is in their best interest.
Enrollment in the Future Manitou’s is open to any boy or girl within the birth years offered for that year. No tryouts are necessary for participation as we believe that a trial process at too young of an age creates a de-selection factor and the sports loses potential players. We also believe the multiple opportunities provided throughout the year to view each player is the best way to determine where they are in the development process.
Our emphasis is on creating a ‘winning development environment’ that focuses on improving each player and increasing their enjoyment of playing. We work diligently to avoid the ‘winning games syndrome’ that negatively impacts the learning environment and often forces team coaches into decisions that are not in the player’s best long-term interest and reduces their enjoyment of playing.
The results we value at these ages is based on what is best for individual development. We focus on learning, enjoyment, effort, competing, paying attention, working together, and growing a passion for the game of soccer. We always take the field to do our best and hopefully to be successful, but the game result is the least important factor we use to measure success or assess a player’s development at these ages!
The simple answer is yes because we can control the learning environment more effectively. Through the challenges presented each week in training and by directly managing the quality of friendly games scheduled, we can better control and influence the learning environment on a consistent basis.
Being a part of Future Manitou’s is more than just being on a team. Yes, players will take the field to play as a team throughout the program as part of Manitou FC, but players will be mixed and matched with other players over the duration of the program. Staying connected with all your friends and teammates rather than being separated from them during these ages.
Rather than appoint team coaches who are volunteers, we staff the program using coaches who we directly oversee. These individuals are part of our coaching staff and are employed by Manitou FC. Our club’s Sporting Director oversees the instructional program to ensure that the player-centered philosophy and learning environment is delivered as expected.
Our retention and results at older ages are evidence of good practice. Since the implementation of the Future Manitou’s our player retention at U11 and older has increased significantly. In addition, the participants are better prepared to deal with a team culture and their performance results are evidence that the learning objectives of the Future Manitou’s initiative are being achieved.
Boys Teams U11-U19
Manitou FC’s Player Pathway provides developmental programming for Boys beginning at U5-U6 with our “Young Legends Program,” advancing to our “Young Legends Plus Program” for U7-U8, and on to our “Future Manitou’s Academy” at U9-U10. Team formation for formal league competition begins at U11 and occurs at each single age group with the exception of U18/19.
Manitou FC provides multiple levels of play within our team formation beginning with U11 (Black, Orange, and EA) and finalizes with a senior boys team at 19 and older that competes in the United Premier Soccer League. This allows our club to accommodate the “early developers” as well as prevent the “late developers” from being eliminated within the player pathway.
Girls Teams U11-U19
Manitou FC’s Player Pathway provides developmental programming for Girls beginning at U5-U6 with our “Young Legends Program,” advancing to our “Young Legends Plus Program” for U7-U8, and on to our “Future Manitou’s Academy” at U9-U10.
Team formation for formal league competition begins at U11 and occurs at each single age group with the exception of U18/19. Manitou FC provides multiple levels of play within our team formation beginning with U11 (Black and Orange) and finalizes with a senior girls team at 19 and older that competes in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. This allows our club to accommodate the “early developers” as well as prevent the “late developers” from being eliminated within the player pathway.
