Generation Phase
The Foothills Generation Phase is for U16–U19 players preparing for what comes next, whether that means post-secondary soccer, Alberta Premier League, professional opportunities, continued competitive play or lifelong involvement in the game.
At this stage, training becomes increasingly performance-focused. Players refine their technical execution, deepen their tactical and positional understanding, and learn to prepare and compete with greater consistency. They are also encouraged to take greater ownership of their development, communicate effectively and demonstrate the resilience, accountability and leadership required on and off the field.
Player development in the Generation Phase extends beyond team training. Depending on the team and selected program, players may also benefit from video and match analysis, position-specific training, physical testing, sport science, athletic development, and education related to nutrition, recovery and mental performance. Coaches and performance colleagues work together to help players understand their strengths, identify development priorities and become more complete athletes.
There is no single definition of success in the Generation Phase. Foothills provides a challenging and supportive environment where every player can pursue a meaningful next step aligned with their ability, ambition and circumstances.
Our objective is not simply to produce better soccer players. It is to develop confident, resilient and accountable young people who are prepared for their next challenge.
- Pricing is dependent on the program(s) you choose based on your player’s age, development stage and soccer goals.
- Please refer to our Program Guide here.
- A $50 late-registration fee applies to registrations received on or after September 16, 2026.
- Indoor season starts October 5, 2026.
- Team practices and academy program sessions are held at Foothills Skills Centre.
- For all dates and times, please view our Program Guide.
- Click here to review the Program Guide.
- Click here to register.
- Foothills is a Club for Everyone. Please read our Program Guide to learn about all the programs we offer for all ages, development stages and soccer ambitions.
- If you haven’t done so previously, you will need to set up your membership in PowerUp.
- IMPORTANT: When registering, be sure to set up your Parent Profile first, then “add a family member” and add each child. All programs available for registration will show automatically for each child. A player cannot be entered into the system more than once. If you encounter an error or require assistance, please contact admin@gofoothills.ca.
- Watch our “How to Register” video here.
In 2024/2025, Foothills Generation Phase Players Represented the Following Schools:
Phase Highlights and Key Principles
Technical consistency
- Players refine position-specific skills and learn to execute them with greater speed, precision and adaptability under pressure.
Tactical intelligence
- Training develops a deeper understanding of individual roles, team structures and game situations. Players learn to recognize problems, make effective decisions and adapt during competition.
Winning behaviours
- Winning behaviours extend beyond the scoreboard. They include preparation, consistency, accountability, communication, resilience and the willingness to meet demanding standards.
Leadership and ownership
Players are expected to become increasingly responsible for their preparation, recovery, communication and continued improvement.
Readiness for the next level
Coaches help players understand what will be required in post-secondary, Alberta Premier League, professional or continued competitive environments.
Coaching at the Development Phase: Developing Excellent Players and Outstanding Individuals
The Generation Phase is for U16–U19 players preparing for what comes next, whether that means post-secondary soccer, Alberta Premier League, professional opportunities, continued competitive play or lifelong involvement in the game in other capacities such as training, coaching, managing, etc.
At this stage, training becomes increasingly performance-focused. Players refine their technical execution, deepen their tactical understanding and learn to prepare, compete and respond with greater consistency. They are also expected to take more ownership of their development, communicate effectively and demonstrate the habits required to succeed on and off the field.
The objective is not simply to produce better players. It is to develop confident, resilient and accountable young people who are ready for their next challenge.
Exemplary Coaches. Exceptional Experience.
The strength of the Foothills pathway begins with the people who guide our players. Foothills has assembled an exceptional full-time coaching team with experience spanning professional soccer, university and college programs, national and provincial environments, and advanced youth development. Their qualifications and achievements are impressive, but their greatest value lies in their ability to apply that knowledge to the needs of developing players.
Generation Phase athletes benefit from coaches who understand both high-performance environments and the individual journey required to reach them. They know how to challenge players, provide honest and constructive feedback, recognize potential and help young athletes prepare for the opportunities and demands ahead.
Our coaches work within a connected club structure, collaborating with technical leaders, academy trainers and performance specialists. This provides players with a level of knowledge, continuity and support that is difficult to replicate.
Advanced Knowledge Applied to Player Development
Foothills players are guided by highly qualified coaches whose credentials include National A and B, UEFA A and B, and Provincial B certifications. Those qualifications represent significant investment in the technical, tactical and leadership demands of coaching. More importantly, our coaches bring that knowledge to the field every day, designing challenging sessions, interpreting game performance, providing individual feedback and helping players understand what is required to progress.
Coaches understand the demands of the game at the next level and know how to support players technically, tactically, physically, socially, and emotionally as they progress through the Foothills pathway.
Meet the Exceptional People Behind the Foothills Pathway
What Exceptional Coaching Means for Generation Players
Our Generation Phase coaches help players:
- Execute technical skills consistently under pressure
- Develop advanced positional understanding
- Read the game and adapt to changing situations
- Recognize their individual strengths and development priorities
- Prepare mentally and physically for higher levels of competition
- Understand the standards of post-secondary, League1 and professional environments
- Build leadership, communication and accountability
- Make informed decisions about their next step in soccer
Trades Program
The Tier 1 – 3 Generation Phase curriculum includes enrollment in our Trades Program.
The Program comprises six, two-hour sessions that integrate technical, fitness, and performance aspects to holistically develop young athletes.
Technical: Concentrates on refining players’ skills in critical areas, encompassing 1v1 and 2v2 attacking. Sessions are built around position-specific traits stemming from KPI traits our U13+ teams explore in video analysis. Whether a striker, defender, mid, or goalie, sessions will incorporate individual traits for player success.
Performance: Our Performance department is dedicated to sculpting well-rounded athletes. This season, we’ve expanded the program to include sessions on essential facets such as nutrition, recovery, and mental skills. Additionally, the Performance team facilitates physical testing, encompassing speed assessments, change of direction evaluations, and strength training.
Physical Fitness: Players complete a battery of tests designed to give a complete picture of an athlete’s fitness level and competence. Tests include:
- 30m Sprint. Evaluates an athlete’s top speed.
- Broad Jump. Measures lower body power and strength.
- 5-10-5 Pro Agility Test. Assesses a player’s agility and ability to change direction at maximum speed.
- Yoyo Intermittent Recovery Test. A football/soccer-specific assessment that quantifies a player’s aerobic endurance.
Close to the end of the season, our Performance Department team compiles the data and shares age-specific reports with the Academy. This allows the players to compare their individual score to the general age group.
Generation Phase FAQs
The Generation Phase focuses on developing winning behaviours, performance consistency, advanced game understanding, leadership and personal responsibility. Players are expected to take greater ownership of their preparation and development while learning to perform in increasingly demanding training and competition environments.
No. Foothills supports Generation Phase players with different abilities, ambitions and future goals. Some players are pursuing post-secondary, Alberta Premier League or professional opportunities. Others want to continue playing competitive soccer, remain active with friends or contribute to the game as coaches, officials and leaders. Every player is encouraged to pursue a next step that is meaningful to them.
Generation Phase players benefit from Foothills’ exemplary coaching team, which includes coaches with advanced national and international qualifications and experience in professional, post-secondary and elite youth environments. Their expertise helps players understand the technical standards, performance habits and personal qualities required at different levels of the game.
Coaches help players recognize their strengths, understand their positional responsibilities and identify areas for continued growth. Feedback becomes increasingly specific, honest and connected to the demands of training and competition. Depending on the team and program, this may be supported by individual development planning, video analysis or performance information.
Depending on their team and selected program, players may benefit from video and match analysis, position-specific training, physical testing, sport science, athletic development and education related to nutrition, recovery and mental performance. Coaches and performance colleagues collaborate to help players understand and address different aspects of their development.
No. The services available depend on the player’s age, team and selected program. Some performance services may be included in a program, while others may be offered through supplemental opportunities. Families should review the current Youth Club Program Guide to confirm what is included in each registration.
Foothills helps interested players understand post-secondary pathways and the academic, athletic and personal expectations of university and college soccer. Support may include guidance from experienced coaches, information sessions, competitive opportunities and assistance understanding which options may align with the player’s abilities and goals.
Foothills provides a pathway through advanced youth competition, Alberta Premier League and connections within the broader soccer community. A select number of players may progress toward professional opportunities when their ability, readiness and circumstances align. Coaches provide honest guidance to help players understand the standards required and the development priorities they must address.
Placement considers technical ability, tactical understanding, decision-making, physical readiness, positional needs, attitude and the overall composition of each team. Placement reflects the environment Foothills believes is most appropriate for the player at that time. It is not a permanent judgment of their ability or future potential.
Opportunities to train or compete at another level may arise when they support the player’s development and the needs of the teams involved. Movement decisions consider readiness, performance, consistency, development priorities, positional requirements and available opportunities. They are not based on one match or evaluation alone.
The commitment varies by age group, team, competition level and selected program. It may include multiple weekly training sessions, league matches, tournaments, travel and academy or performance activities. More competitive programs generally require a greater commitment. Families should review the current Youth Club Program Guide for program-specific details.
Parents can support players by encouraging preparation, accountability, resilience and ownership rather than focusing primarily on playing time, team placement or match results. At this age, players should be encouraged to communicate directly with their coaches when appropriate, manage their commitments and take increasing responsibility for their development.
Review the current Youth Club Program Guide and evaluation schedule before registering through the Foothills online registration system. Sign in to the parent account, add the player as a family member and select the available program. Contact admin@gofoothills.ca if you need help determining the appropriate registration option.
