Since 1994 Hollandia has strived to continually update it's player development methods to keep pace with best practices, but our philosophy has always remained the same; Soccer is about players, and everything that we do should be based on what is best for the technical, tactical, and personal development of our players.
Hollandia uses a player-centric developmental philosophy that is in line with the Canadian Soccer Association's recommended Long Term Player Development (LTPD) model, rather than a results-based philosophy.
While we recognize that winning is important, it is not the most important aspect of our philosophy. We put the development of the individual player at the forefront. We recognize the need to improve and develop the fundamental skills of all players, regardless of ability or division. Mastery of the fundamentals of the sport is the key to future enjoyment and success. We work closely with community associations within our zone in an effort to create seamless development opportunities and programs for both coaches and players.
In the absence of the recommended single year age groups in the local league structure, Hollandia tries, when possible, to form "junior" and "senior" teams in each age group up to the U15 level. This allows players to progress and compete at a level appropriate for their mental, social, cognitive, physical, and technical ability. It also allows junior teams to retain stronger players, and give older players a chance to develop.
Hollandia asks our coaches to recognize that they are in the people business, and as such are continuously dealing with emotions, ambitions, and many different personalities each season. In addition to superior people skills, Hollandia coaches are required to meet all Safe Sport Roster requirements. They are expected to continue their development as a coach by taking coaching courses, working with technical personnel, and attending skills development sessions. Our coaches are asked to ensure that they are always holding themselves to the True Sport Principles and Coach Code of Conduct.
The backbone of Hollandia's coaching system is based upon a series of trained skills development coaches who provide mentorship and support for our coaches and provide supplemental training for our players. Age group specialist coaches understand the psyche and needs of the age group with which they works and they use a variety of coaching methods to best meet the needs of our players in all situations.
In the first phase of development, the coach uses interesting and playful activities that are designed to keep the player interested, while giving them the ability to manipulate and control the ball. This phase of development helps players to develop a love of the game and coaches provide constant positive feedback that helps players discover opportunities.
In the second phase of development, the ball is still the focus, but players learn the basic forms of the game by use of small-sided games and soccer specific situations in game-like forms. Drills are infrequent and used primarily in warm-up or cool-down phases. Players are encouraged to think and problem solve by coaches who celebrate asking questions and facilitating discussion rather than telling players what to do. The coach acts as a teacher, guiding players through new skills and techniques, while using a guided discovery and question and answer methodology. Individual tactics are developed in this phase with an emphasis on individual ball possession.
In the third phase, the focus on pure ball skills is supplemented by an increased focus on small-sided games. Learning and training is intensified with the addition of tactical game situations that emerge from the three "moments of truth" - when in possession, when out of possession, and transition from offence to defence, and vice-versa. Game intelligence becomes a major focus with the coach forcing players to think, and presenting them with positional specific challenges. Attacking play is based upon solid ball possession and methodical build up. Communication is important, and players are encouraged to coach each other and have open discussion with coaches, and the team. The coach is not a hero with all the answers, but a skilled learning facilitator. Individual development continues to take precedence over team development at this stage.
There are many challenges in the fourth stage, as players realize other interests and options including work, university prep, other extra-curricular activities, and the realization of exactly where they fit in the soccer world. It is at this stage that the team becomes more important than the individual. Coaches teach position specific functionality and players learn to perform various roles for the betterment of the team. Players are taught to win games by using a variety of tactics and employing their skills in certain predetermined fashions.
Hollandia believes in meaningful competition. This means that competition should be fair, but that the outcome should not be totally predictable. Competitions that lead to National competition at Under 13 age group does not line up with the LTPD recommendations, therefore we discourage players of 11 and 12 years of age (or younger) of participating in these competitions.
Hollandia Cup
Forest Park and Saskatoon Sports Centre (outdoor fields)
Hollandia Cup is our club's outdoor tournament.