Hollandia believes there should be multiple streams for players of all abilities and interest levels to participate in soccer. Rather than forcing all kids into a more structured environment with a greater level of commitment, the club recognizes the importance of a combination of community soccer and club soccer options for mini players. Regardless of the path your player is following, Hollandia wants to ensure quality development for all ages and streams of players in it's zone.
Hollandia strives to work closely with the Community Associations with our zone to provide programming to develop both players and coaches. Programs such as our Soccer Saturday program help to ensure players have access to skills development coaches and Hollandia technical staff and also help to train and mentor community team coaches. Players benefit from receiving consistent coaching from the earliest ages, regardless of experience with soccer.
With the launch of the Developmental League (D League) in 2014 by Saskatoon Youth Soccer, Hollandia started offering mini-programming. These teams participate in the Developmental League, rather than in the Community Association League. Our program focuses heavily on the acquisition of fundamental technical skills, which is a key element required for success in later soccer years.
Players are not tiered at this age because early selection and elimination processes are detrimental to long-term player development. Hollandia programs differ from Community Association programs in that more training opportunities are provided. In addition, because the programming is incremental and progressive, players are required to commit to full attendance. Parents can expect to see a greater focus on player-centric techniques and skills acquisition and a reduced focus on results than in other leagues.
Saskatoon Youth Soccer has moved to a two-league format, offering City League and Alliance League to provide a wider range of options to players.
The City League has a lower financial and time commitment and is suited for players who are new to soccer, have another primary sport, or just want to play for fun with more flexibility than Alliance League. City League consists of one game per week, one practice and optional opportunities for skills sessions and goalkeeper training.
The Alliance League is for players that have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of the game and wish to play in a more competitive environment. Alliance players have one game per week, and two practices per week, with the option of additional goalkeeper training. Players who are wishing to be assessed for the SYSI Alliance Academy must be on an Alliance League team within their home zone.
Under the banner of Saskatoon Youth Soccer the city's five zones - Hollandia, SUSC, Aurora, Eastside and Lakewood - have come together to form the Saskatoon Alliance Academy. The Academy program includes high-level options for selected players in under-11 to under-19 age groups.
Up until the under-17 level, players are able to register with, practice and play with their home zone in addition to participating in Alliance Academy training. At the under-17 and under-19 levels players involved with Alliance Academy will practice and compete solely with the SYSI Academy program, rather than with their home zone.