Why Foothills?
Foothills is a club for everyone from under 4 to adult. In a typical year, we have over 3,200 players. We feature programs for all levels of play from recreational to professional. We believe in the “soccer for life” model.
Why Choose Foothills?
Foothills has been changing the lives of Calgary’s kids and impacting communities since 1972. Our Club is a recognized leader in Canadian minor soccer.
- Our organization is Alberta’s largest youth soccer club, with over 3,200 players.
- We have programs for every age from U4 to adult and for all abilities, from recreational to professional.
- Our environment is safe for all members, emphasizing diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Scholarship and financial assistance programs ensure all kids can play soccer.
- We are verifiably the most successful youth club in Canada in terms of provincial and national results, including winning eight Canadian National Youth Championships.
And we like to have fun! Check out Coach Julian Munoz of the Foothills 2013 Girls Team taking a post-tournament dip!
Active In The Community
Foothills is an active part of the following communities and offers a variety of activities within them:
- Auburn Bay
- Canyon Meadows
- Chaparral
- Copperfield
- Cranston
- Deer Ridge
- Deer Run
- Evergreen
- Langdon
- Legacy
- Mahogany
- McKenzie Towne
- New Brighton
- Queensland
- Walden
Trailblazers In Canadian Pro-Am Soccer
Foothills has also changed the landscape of Canadian soccer for our Pro-Am players. We are trailblazers in the Canadian Pro-Am soccer world for both men and women.
- We are innovators, incorporating mental as well as physical health elements into our programs.
- Our Club was a driving force behind the establishment of the Alberta Premier League (Formerly League1 Alberta). APL leads to the Canadian Championship and a chance to play against CPL/MLS competition. It is also a part of the Concacaf pathway, as the winner of the CanChamp gets a spot to compete against teams within the Concacaf pyramid.
- We are champions of the “women in soccer” movement in Canada.
- Foothills joined early with Diana Matheson and her team at Project 8 to make the Northern Super League a reality. It’s a proud moment for Foothills to see our involvement come to fruition!
- Our world-class training staff has the highest level of European certification.
These initiatives create better pathways to professional soccer careers for Foothills players and coaches.
Foothills and the CSA
Our Club is a Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) National Youth Club license holder. We are one of a select group of clubs in Canada holding a National Youth Club license as it requires that members demonstrate the best principles for organizational development both on and off the field. Foothills is proud to say we exceed them.
National Youth Club Principles
- Prioritize Fun
- Emphasize Physical, Mental and Emotional Safety
- Provide Developmentally Appropriate, High Quality Programs
- Maximize Attraction, Holistic Personal Development, Progression, and Long-Term Engagement
- Focus on Participant-Centered Decision Making
- Foster Accessible, Inclusive, and Welcoming Environments
- Act as a Good Corporate and Community Citizen
Our Pathway To Pro
Many clubs in Calgary offer pathway-type programs, but ours is Calgary’s (arguably the country’s) most successful program.
Foothills has a clear vision for the future of soccer in Canada. We have a seat at the table at the highest level in the country and are working closely with governing bodies to lead Canada’s success in soccer on the world stage.
We are Canada’s most successful club based on national results, having brought home eight national gold medals.
- Our Pro-Am men’s team, Foothills FC, won the 2023 Alberta Premier League (formerly League1 Alberta) Championship. This is especially exciting as 2023 was the League’s inaugural year.
- 150+ Foothills players have received post-secondary opportunities since 2022. These numbers are the highest of any youth club in Canada.
We provide exceptional resources for male and female players, including world-class training centres, and top-rated technical staff and coaches.
Our technical staff includes professionally qualified (Canadian and European licensed) managers for every age group. These experts bring extensive player experience, having participated in university and professional environments.
Foothills is the only club in Alberta to offer full-time video analysis and sports science capabilities.
- According to Wikipedia, many Foothills FC players and Foothills Academy alums have moved on to professional clubs. These include Victor Loturi and Aribim Pepple, who both moved from Cavalry FC to Ross County and Luton Town, respectively.
The 2022 Canada World Cup squad included two Foothills alum (Joel Waterman and Sam Adekugbe), and the 2023 Gold Cup roster included two Foothills alum (Victor Loturi and Dominick Zator.)
Foothills Team Members, Performance Centre, and Facilities
Our technical staff, including professionally qualified phase area managers, blend experience from Canadian and European licensing, university, and professional environments.
Our performance centre is a hub for innovation and includes:
- A sports science program that enhances athleticism and prevents injuries.
- Video analysis to sharpen tactical and technical understanding.
- Specialized goalkeeper program for honing position-specific skills.
- Our resilience and mental health strategy recognizes the importance of mental well-being.
Our Facilities
