CSA/OSA update re Academies

[falcon]

I'm very interested in the Academies and just realized this forum was here...after reading all the posts, I'm pleased with the new information I've gained, and I have more questions/comments. It's all very interesting and a tad confusing. I found it very interesting to learn that in the US, the academies have become the main source of players for Universities and National teams...can someone please comment on the key factors that differentiate the academy approach (ie. the "Big A" Academy or the "Real" Academy) from the pretenders? What underlying philosophy is there? The more specific you can be the better...ie., In an Academy...X....as opposed to an OSA Club which is....Y.....

I would start with Q&A from SAAC. After that, browse the site through the links on the top left and the academies within SAAC are on the right.

http://www.academysoccer.ca/index.php?page=contact

[balljoint]

My friends son joined an academy 3 years ago. Do not want to mention the name. Very well known!
He pays quite a good chunk of change. The child could never make any rep team. He had two left feet
as they say. Did not want to play houseleague. Three years later he still has not improved much from what his dad says, but he feels like he belongs to one of the top Academies so the son is happy. My point is as long as they play enjoy and keep playing. Does not matter if it on a competitive team one of the Academies they are playing.

[Parent1]

I was reading all the older comments in here regarding academies and the OSA and was wondering if anyone could tell me about this proposed CSL (Canadian Soccer League) development academy that is supposed to revolutionize youth soccer?

Am I correct in understanding that it is a development academy/league for the 1st teams like the York Shooters, Serbian White Eagles, Hamilton Croatia etc...

Will this academy/league fall under the same restrictions as SAAC when it comes to playing vs OSA sanctioned teams or will they have special status because of their CSL affiliation?

It looks like they are intending to start at U9 right through to U21.

Anyone know who has been hired to run the Technical Program?

Also any idea on what the costs might be?