May 29, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Introducing Durham United FC (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
Introducing Durham United FC
. Thu May 29 
Written By: Cromie, Chris  

With over 33,000 children playing soccer at youth level in Durham, it should come as no surprise 
that the region has its own team competing in League1 Ontario. 

Seeking to capitalize on this hotbed of talent, Head Coach Tony LaFerrara and Durham United FC 
have a clear goal in mind. "My dream is for one day to sustain an entire team of players from 
just the Durham region." It's an ambitious goal, but under the Pickering Soccer Club umbrella, 
LaFerrara is used to seeing kids as young as 3 and 4 get their start in the sport. And it's 
at that young age where the teaching begins. "Everything is about attitude and passion for 
the game," he states. " but it's also about us initiating and fostering that environment."

At Durham United, that approach extends from under eights learning the value of teamwork, 
to teenage players understanding the currency of composure and ball retention on the field. 
Ingrained in each of these methods is a reliance on strong technical skills. Players are 
trained to be flexible when it comes to in-match formation changes and it's expected that 
they can, for example, switch from three to five at the back with ease. LaFerrara and his 
coaching staff work with a philosophy of "technique on demand." That is to say, the 
understanding that it's not enough to simply be a skilled athlete, you also need to be able 
to work under pressure. To get to that level, LaFerrara considers the mental side of the game 
to be just as important as the physical. "It's all about finding out which players can respond 
to those situations. Before, you might have been one-on-one [with other players]. Now you have 
three players around you. How do you react? Can you adapt and think one step ahead?"

For Durham, League1 Ontario becomes the testing ground for all of these ingredients. "It's 
a different level, technique is key" adds LaFerrara. "We're trying to create a professional 
environment for young players not used to that. It's about getting [them] to buy into it." 
For players hoping to transition from the youth game to the seniors, this is a critical test. 

Playing out of Kinsmen Park in Pickering, the team is already a step ahead with its own 
practice facilities. This level of infrastructure doesn't just afford continuity to players 
moving through the ranks, it provides an example of how the club is willing to invest to help 
maximize their potential. "When it comes down to it, we're here to help young athletes achieve 
their goals," LaFerrara concludes. "Whether it's here, the MLS, or Europe."

Durham United FC open their League1 Ontario campaign at the Ontario Soccer Centre on Sunday 
June 1 at 11 a.m. vs Sigma FC. 

The club's home opener is scheduled for June 8, 12:30 p.m. at Kinsmen Park Pickering vs. 
Internacional de Toronto.

back to League 1 Ontario 2014 menu

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