Development Centre
Building confident, creative and intelligent soccer players
The Development Centre is a year round, skills-based training program open to ALL players from U5 - U14 in the Okanagan, designed to support all skill levels - from beginners to those pursing higher performance pathways.
Players train in a fun, challenging and supportive environment where they will work on developing:
- Strong Technical Skill
- Confidence on the Ball
- Game understanding and decision-making
- Creativity and love for the game
With opportunities for player identification and advancement, including potential selection for travel events, the centre is offered year round across indoor and outdoor phases with registration available in 4 phases to suit our seasonal multi-sport athletes.
What your Child will Gain?
No matter their age or ability, every player will:
- Get more touches on the ball and stay actively involved
- Learn through small-sided, game-based activities
- Build confidence to try new skills and make decisions
- Develop a growth mindset in a positive environment
- Most importantly - enjoy playing soccer!
Coaching & Environment
Sessions will be led by Canada Soccer Licensed Coaches in a positive and supportive environment where players will feel equally challenged to try new things but can develop freely and confidently in the sport.
Spots are limited and fill on a first-come basis. Registration link is below.
Junior Development Centre (U5-U8 | 2022-2018)
The Junior Development Centre is designed for players born 2022-2019, providing a fun, engaging and age-appropriate environment where players can develop confidence, coordination, physical literacy and a love for the game.
Sessions are built around movement-based activities, imaginative games, ball mastery challenges and small-sided soccer games that encourage creativity, decision-making and enjoyment while introducing the fundamental skills of soccer.
What Your Child Will Gain
Every player will:
- Develop balance, coordination and agility
- Build confidence with the ball at their feet
- Improve fundamental soccer skills through fun challenges and games
- Develop creativity and decision-making in game-like environments
- Learn teamwork, communication and sportsmanship
- Have fun while building a strong foundation for future development
Coaching & Environment
The Junior Development Centre is run by our Grassroots Technical Lead, Logan Ellis, and overseen by our Development Centre Head Coach, Rob Giezen. Sessions are delivered in a positive, encouraging environment where every player is supported, challenged and excited to learn. Activities are tailored specifically to this age group to maximize engagement, confidence and enjoyment while building a strong foundation for future development.
Development Centre (U9-U14 | 2017-2012)
The Development Centre is designed for players born 2018-2012, providing a fun, challenging and supportive environment where players can continue developing their technical ability, confidence on the ball and game understanding.
Sessions are built around game-based activities that maximize touches on the ball while encouraging creativity, decision-making and individual player development. Open to players of all abilities, the Development Centre provides an environment where every player can continue to improve while enjoying the game.
What Your Child Will Gain
Every player will:
- Improve technical ability and ball mastery
- Build confidence in possession
- Develop creativity and decision-making in game-like environments
- Improve individual attacking and defending skills
- Learn through small-sided games and realistic soccer situations
- Continue building a strong foundation for long-term player development
Coaching & Environment
The Development Centre is run by our Development Centre Head Coach, Rob Giezen, and coached exclusively by our Canada Soccer Licensed coaching staff. Sessions provide a positive, challenging and player-centred environment where players are encouraged to build confidence, improve technical ability and develop their understanding of the game through engaging, game-based activities.
Keeper Training Centre
Training takes place once per week lead by Kelowna United FC's Head Goal Keeping Coach, Harry Butler.
SUMMER CAMPS
Okanagan United FC runs summer development camps for players U5-U12. Camps are held in the Mission, Monday to Thursdays and open to players of all skill levels from the age of U5-U12 and will be held rain or shine
Great opportunity to meet new people, stay on top of your skills in the off-season or prep your child for their fall team or training program.
Thank you to all of the participants from our 2025 Summer Camps; you were an absolute joy to work with and hope to see many of you on the field throughout the fall and winter!
Dates: TBA for Summer 2026
SELECT/DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PLAYERS
This program is available only to players who have been directly identified by the Technical Staff to participate in the training of our Select/Development Teams.
These players will train directly with the team sesssions and can be called up to participate in games and tournaments where there is a need. A player can train with the team throughout the Competitive season (April - June) in addition to their own team training; if there is a conflict in training sessions, they should attend their House Team training session.
Their program includes:
- Access to twice weekly team training sessions throughout the season
- Access to the S&C sessions during the year
- Training kit
- Equipment & facility fees
The total cost for this program is $795. If you are identified later in the season, your fee will be prorated based on training weeks missed.
KEEPER ACADEMY
This Invite Program is available to players who have shown interest and display a basic understanding and skill level of this unique and essential position on the soccer.
The program will run 1 day a week from October - June, with a 2 week break in December and March. Training is indoors during Fall and Winter and moves outdoors when the grass fields open up.