ANTIGONISH, NS - The XFC Soccer Club (XFC) is set to start evaluations October 23rd and 30th in Antigonish. The XFC will replace the existing Highland Knights Soccer Club that currently serves tier-one youth and senior players in Northeastern Nova Scotia.

The XFC will operate and function under the Long Term Player Development program as outlined by the Canadian Soccer Association and Soccer Nova Scotia. The Club will run year-round, within a seven-phase training and competition cycle, including appropriate levels of rest. By leveraging StFX varsity players and regional coaches, the XFC will provide first-class development opportunities for the soccer community in Northeastern Nova Scotia. Tier 1 teams will begin from the U-14 level, up through to senior levels and will primarily be based out of the Sobey’s Indoor Complex in Stellarton, NS this winter, with additional training in Truro and Antigonish.

Graham Kennedy, head coach of the StFX X-Men Soccer team, has been named Director of Coaching for the XFC. Kennedy, who is in his third season with the X-Men, brings a wealth of education and experience to club and player development. Kennedy received his Master of Education degree in Coaching from the University of Victoria in 1996 and holds both a Union of European Football Association B License and a Canadian Soccer Association B License. From 1997-2008, Kennedy was the Technical Director and Director of Coaching of the Calgary Foothills Soccer club, one of Canada’s top youth clubs. He has brought a number of youth teams to provincial and national championships.
 
“Graham’s passion and commitment for developing players is tremendous,” says Scott MacKinnon, President of the XFC. “His experience and vision will continue to be a huge asset for the soccer community; this is an exciting time for our region.” 

Kennedy adds, “It’s becoming more and more difficult for Nova Scotia players to earn roster spots on AUS soccer teams due to the increasing number of students from outside the Atlantic region. In 2010, on average, there were only six male and seven female Nova Scotian players per team in the AUS. We want to provide a better pathway for developing elite players simply to maintain current roster levels for Nova Scotia athletes.”

Further information regarding the XFC evaluations can be found at www.xfcsoccer.org.

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For more information, contact:
 
Katie Arbuckle, XFC Vice President  
[phone] 902.867.5253   
[email] karbuckl@stfx.ca