Frequently Asked Questions:
Does RDA train girls?
RDA is a full service Academy that trains both Female and male athletes. All players are trained as serious athletes.
There is no gender gap at RDA.
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My son wants to play games. How often do you play?
At RDA our training philosophy is based on training to game ratio of 10:1.
Our focus is to develop our players by giving them the maximum amount of training time, touches on the ball and supplementing that training with age appropriate games.
Our focus is also to incorporate small sided scrimmages to every session in order to supplement the training at each session.
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What club are you? Are you working with any club?
RDA is a Private Training Academy.
We have no direct affiliation with any club. This is very important as it allows our players to be able to train in an environment free of club and team politics and restrictions.
At present we enjoy a working relationship with the North Mississauga SC and the Unionville-Milliken SC.
RDA will only enter into a working relationship with clubs that share our vision and principles of development and training.
I'm hearing a lot about the LTPD. Is your Academy involved in this program?
While the concept of the Long Term Player Development Program (LTPD) is new to the OSA and to the clubs, it is not a new concept for RDA.
The principles of development, a higher training to game ratio, more touches on the ball, small sided and age appropriate games, no scores, promoting ball control, technical skill, tactical acumen and playing games the proper way without fixating on winning and losing are cornerstones of RDA training since our inception in 2002.
The fact is the soccer community, OSA and the clubs in Ontario are playing catch up to RDA. We do not have to implement this program, make expensive long term commitments to training, hire expensive Technical coaches and re-vamp our entire program; RDA has had these standards in place since 2002.
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Do you have Academy Teams?
Yes we do have RDA Academy Teams.
Under the restrictions that the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) has placed on Academies in direct violation of FIFA's Regulation 19, Academy teams were unable to compete in any sanctioned OSA League, Tournaments and National Team Player Identification programs or compete against any registered OSA club teams, even in exhibition games as the OSA refused to grant their permission for OSA registered club teams to compete against Academy teams.
Therefore, our teams play against other Academies in Canada and the US, US Tournaments and Showcase Tournaments for European scouts and University and College coaches in Canada and the US.
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Will you be joining the OPDL?
As with any new program, RDA will consider the best options available to enhance the training of our players.
A strong part of the philosophy is providing the highest levels of competition to our players.
The OSA has invited RDA to apply for limited status recognition into the OSA as an OSA Recognized Non-Club Academies (ORNCA).
It is the belief of RDA that ORNCA is a greatly flawed program that seeks to limit Academies within the structure of the OSA.
We currently do not feel that the ORNCA program offers Academies any tangible benefits and will not be seeking membership until the OSA correctly recognizes ALL ACADEMIES as equals with the structure of Ontario soccer.
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I've never heard of RDA? How long have you been in business?
RDA was formed in 2001 and began operating in 2002.
For many years RDA was the ONLY Academy that trained girls properly as serious athletes. Over the years we have expanded to include male players and now train both genders from beginner to the highest level of proficiency.
Our core philosophies of Drive, Desire and Dedication are still as relevant now as they were in 2002.
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Academies are way too expensive. Why should I come to RDA?
While there are some Academies and Clubs more fixated on making money as opposed to delivering the best value to their customers, RDA has always managed to provide excellent value at a reasonable price.
Our rates are amongst the most economical in the industry.
At present, the average cost of training programs around the Province in the Clubs and at some large Academies, is escalating due to the introduction of the LTPD and the OPDL.
RDA can keep our costs much lower as we introduced the concept of LTPD and OPDL in 2002 and do not have to re-vamp our training systems, certify our coaches, retrain our training staff on the new methods, purchase expensive equipment, hire expensive additions to our staff and pay surcharges to the OSA.
RDA has been training the "new" way for years without charging the astronomical rates associated with these programs that the Clubs and some Academies are currently charging.
The question is can you afford NOT to come to RDA as opposed to going to the Clubs and some Academies, with the price gouging that is currently going on all over Ontario soccer?
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Why should I bring my son/ daughter to RDA instead of a club?
In this climate of escalating fees and uncertainty about the LTPD and OPDL, it is getting harder for parents and players to make the best decision regarding where to train and play.
RDA is a training Academy that specializes in training athletes to improve their fitness levels and soccer skills.
We train our athletes to the maximum and expect them to commit to working to their full potential.
Unlike a club environment, all our athletes, male and female, are trained the same way. Your money does not supplement the training of anyone except your own child.
In addition, paying a fee does not guarantee playing time on any RDA Team. All players earn the right to play on Academy teams based on performances in the training sessions.
The main difference between RDA and any club/ club Academy, is that we have been training using the very same methods that have now been adopted by the OSA and all clubs under the LTPD, since 2002.
We do not have to retrain our staff and coaches to understand the new systems and coaching methods, as the OSA usurped these new ideas and philosophies from the Academies.
If you want your son/ daughter to play at soccer, then go to a club; if you want your son/ daughter to learn the technical skills, tactical acumen and game intelligence that will make them better at the sport of soccer, join an Academy.
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Will you be joining the YSLO?
As with any new program, RDA will consider the best options available to enhance the training of our players.
A strong part of the philosophy is providing the highest levels of competition to our players.
With the introduction of the YSLO- Youth Soccer League of Ontario- there are now more viable options for Academies and Academy Players, at very economical prices, to participate in than what is currently being offered by the OSA.
The YSLO also offers Academies the ability to play on an equal footing against clubs in a true competitive environment as opposed to the limited status recognition into the OSA as an OSA Recognized Non-Club Academy (ORNCA).
It is because of these factors that RDA will be taking a serious look at the YSLO option for our Academy Teams in 2014.
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What is your policy on refunds?
The first step to enroling as a trainee at RDA is to register as a New Player and undergo an assessment.
The assessment process encompases several sessions over the course of 1 training week.
This process allows the applicant a complete opportunity to participate in and experience first hand the training methods that we utilize at RDA.
This process also allows the RDA Staff the time and ability to determine whether the trainee will be the right fit for our training programs.
Once the assessment period is complete and the results have been presented and discussed with the applicant (and guardians if applicable), if the applicant is successful, they will be given the opportunity to enroll full time in the applicable RDA training program.
Once the enrollment is complete, there will be no refunds issued by RDA to any trainees that leave during the enrollment period.
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