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The Vancouver Whitecaps FC was introduced to the Yukon鈥檚 competitive soccer program this weekend.

The Yukon Soccer Association (YSA) welcomed Bart Choufour, head coach of the Whitecaps鈥� pre-residency and academy centres, to Whitehorse, where he ran a series of high-performance sessions over a three-day span.

鈥淢y goal was to get a look at the soccer scene here,鈥濃�圕houfour said of his northern visit.

That included getting a good look at the Yukon鈥檚 competitive players, as well as the local coaching staff, he said.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise owns the rights to players from the northern territory, Choufour told the Star.

In fact, the team also has first dibs on players from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C. and the Northwest Territories.

Over the past number of years, the Whitecaps have launched seven youth academy programs within their jurisdiction as part of their strategic plan to develop homegrown players.

Manitoba will be the next province to gain an academy, said Choufour.

鈥淲e鈥檝e expanded our methodology and the way we work with players,鈥� he explained.

As for the Yukon capital, the club is exploring its options. With the size of the Yukon Strikers program at about 150 players, an academy centre doesn鈥檛 make sense, said Choufour.

But regular visits with intense weekend sessions between players and coaches might work, alongside a program that could see coaches head to Vancouver for strategy workshops.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 see a full-fledged academy here, but I do want to work with the players on a regular basis,鈥� Choufour said.

A regular Whitecaps presence in the territory could serve to add more excitement for local players, and in turn boost membership, he added.

John MacPhail, head coach of the YSA, said the local association was happy to host the Whitecaps coach.

The weekend was an opportunity to get to know one another with a potential affiliation being set up between the Whitecaps and the YSA going forward.

About 80 players from the Yukon鈥圫trikers program participated in the weekend sessions with Choufour.

鈥淗e鈥檚 reinforcing strategies we teach,鈥� said MacPhail. 鈥淔or the kids, hearing it from a different voice is always good.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a brand the kids recognize and everyone鈥檚 energy levels are up.鈥�

Choufour, 58, spent several years with the Haarlem youth program in his native Holland, before becoming a coach at a young age.

He put the players through their paces over the weekend 鈥� including an up-tempo session with the U16 boys Saturday afternoon.

鈥淭hat was pretty cool. I鈥檓 not going to lie,鈥� said 13-year-old Felix Maltais, following the clinic that saw players quickening their footwork to push the pace of play.

Maltais said he is a Whitecaps fan, with two of the soccer club鈥檚 jerseys hanging in his closet.

鈥淲e learned how to be prepared for different situations and attack fast,鈥� the youngster said. 鈥淲e knew some of these strategies already, but (Choufour) gave us an idea of why we do it.鈥�

At last year鈥檚 U14 national club soccer championships in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Maltais had two of the Yukon鈥檚 three goals, netting each after coming on as a substitute mid-game.

Finding homegrown gems within the Canadian soccer system is important for the Whitecaps鈥� success, said Choufour.

At present, seven graduates of the academy program currently hold MLS contracts with the club.

鈥淲e work hard to find those gems,鈥� said Choufour. 鈥淭here鈥檚 good players everywhere, and I鈥檝e seen some good players here, although some need to learn how to train a little bit better.鈥�

The coach added that the young players can catch his eye at any age 鈥� anywhere from eight to 14.

In Vancouver, Choufour takes care of the program for 13- and 14-year-olds, training multiple times a week.

He also oversees the Whitecaps鈥� academy centres 颅鈥� regional training hubs that link staff, curriculum and training standards for serious players.

The academies are development centres, often run in partnership with a local organization.