Everything you need to know about the BC Soccer Provincial Program

The British Columbia Provincial Program is the highest level of training for amateur youth in the province, but how much do you actually know about it? We sat down with Luca Dalla Pace, BC Soccer’s Senior Coordinator of player Development and the person behind the BC Provincial Program, to learn more.  

BC SOCCER: Luca, what is the Provincial Program and Why is it a big deal?  

Luca Dalla Pace: “BC Soccer’s Provincial Program is a player focused initiative, designed to bring identified male and female players into additional training and game-day environments. The majority of players participate in the BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) but may also be recommended by other membership organizations. In addition to supporting each player’s personal development, the program also aims to create an overall setting that promotes scouting opportunities by Universities, Colleges, professional programming, and ultimately, Canada Soccer’s youth national teams programming.” 

BCS: How do players try out for the team?   

LDP: We don't have teams, apart from every four years for the Canada Summer Games, which are happening this summer in Newfoundland and Labrador. We have Development Training Groups that train once a week. These players were identified through our BCSPL Match Observations, conducted by myself and fellow Senior Coordinator of Player Development, Mike Salmon. As well as our Identification Match Process, Players are recommended to us through the Player Database filled out by BCSPL coaches.   

We don't hold 'Try Outs' per sae, as most of the players play within the BCSPL, we are constantly observing players throughout that environment. It’s also important to note that we do have Identification Matches for players that are not in the weekly training, as we feel this is responsible player development and identification to continue to look at players outside of our Development Group. A player can be added into our Development Group at any time. We also hold Identification Matches for the ages just outside of our Development Group to make sure we are consistently assessing and evaluating those age groups.  

BCS: When and where do you train and play? 

LDP: Currently, we train at Simon Fraser University and play most of our matches out of there as well. We do play at the National Soccer Development Center at Burnaby Lake when we play the Vancouver Whitecaps MLS or Vancouver Rise Academy (formerly Vancouver Whitecaps GE Academy). 

BCS: Do you face teams other than the Whitecaps? 

LDP: Of course, we play Vancouver Whitecaps MLS, VancouverRise Academy; League 1 BC Teams; other visiting Provincial Programs; the occasional international team; older BCSPL Teams; Senior Men's/Women's Teams, and of course, University Teams. 

BCS: Can people come watch these games?  

LDP: Our program activity schedules are posted on our website. People are more than welcome to come to any activity, training or matches, to have a look if they are curious. (LINK) 

BCS: Is there anything significant on the horizon fans should get excited about?  

LDP: We are a part of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy Showcase at the end of March. We are also hosting our third annual BC Soccer Provincial Program ID Weekend on the May Long Weekend, and of course the Canada Summer Games this coming August. 

The B.C. Provincial program plays an integral part in the Player Development Pathway and has helped many players go on to play at the professional level on both the Men’s and Women’s sides. Most notably Joel Waterman (2013) and Julia Grosso (2017), and most recently Ashley Cathro (2017) and James Cameron (2022).  

Another goal within the BC Soccer Provincial Program is to help identified coaches progress to their next level of competency. BC Soccer’s soccer development staff leads the program, and since 2017, there have been 34 Support Staff coaches invited to the Provincial Program.