Ottawa Fury Feature -- www.ottawafurysc.com
Friday, March 15, 2013
OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Fury Soccer Club is proud to announce that Youth Academy goalkeeper Aidan Aylward has signed with the Whitecaps FC Boys Residency Program. Aylward officially joined Whitecaps FC last month just over a year after the MLS club first identified him at the Super Y-League Finals in Florida.
“On behalf of the Ottawa Fury, the U15 Boys team and myself, we wish Aidan nothing but success in his adventure to Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” said head coach Jimmy Zito. “We were very lucky to have such a fine goalkeeper, person and athlete as part of our team for as many years as we have. His love and dedication for the game of soccer have set him apart and are a big reason why he is getting this opportunity.”
Aylward helped backstop the Fury U13 Boys to a spot in the Super Y-League (SYL) North American semifinals in 2011 and in the process garnered plenty of attention from Whitecaps FC Residency scouts. A meeting would follow in early 2012 with the scout followed by a meeting with Whitecaps FC Residency Head of High Performance Stuart Neely. Aylward was scheduled to attend a trial last July, but it would be postponed due to injury. The young netminder was diligent in keeping the WFC staff up-to-date on his continued progress and was invited for a trial this past December after helping lead his Fury U14 Boys team to a North American Championship silver medal. Only a couple weeks into the New Year Aylward was officially offered a spot with the Whitecaps U16 Residency team.
“I have known Aidan for a number of years and followed his progress with the Fury and the Ontario Provincial Program. Prior to my arrival here, he was obviously a player on my radar,” said Neely. “He is a great match performer and organizer but must improve his training abilities – this is where his biggest improvement will come from. Add in the physical traits he has and what we have to offer as a program, he is a good young prospect for the National program and our club. It will be a big performance adjustment for Aidan as the demands of daily training do take their toll on a young body and mind. However he will be nurtured properly in the good hands of our Residency GK Coach, Raegyn Hall.”
The Whitecaps Head of High Performance also spoke very highly of the Fury’s Academy. “We would like to thank the staff at the Fury for their ongoing support of the Canadian player and game, they do a good job in building the future.”
The newest member of the WFC Residency program was able to make a well-educated decision as he had been seen by all three Canadian MLS clubs and had looked at all three Academies over the past year.
“Signing with the Whitecaps gives me the opportunity to improve upon every aspect of my game and work towards getting to the next level,” said Aylward. “The coaches here are great and being in a structured environment with daily training sessions, strong weekly competition and a school that is supportive of athletes will make a huge difference. It is a very good first step towards playing professionally one day.”
Aylward joined the Ottawa Fury Academy in 2009 and immediately began his development under Club Goalkeeper Coach David Bellemare who has produced over 20 goalkeepers that have earned NCAA or CIS scholarships.
“From day one, Aidan has showed great technical and physical abilities, but what distinguishes him from the other goalkeepers is his undeniable commitment to always push his own limits,” said Bellemare. “He is a great student of the game and is always up for a new challenge and I wish him all the best in this new opportunity.”
Aylward becomes the third goalkeeper under Bellemare to sign with an MLS Academy with Chad Bush being the first joining TFC Academy and now attends Duke University. Erhan Yilmaz joined the Impact Academy this past fall and with Aylward signing with Whitecaps FC the Club now has had goalkeepers with all three Canadian MLS Academies.
During his four years in the Fury Academy Aylward credits the Club for providing an exceptional training environment where he was able to train alongside the best players in the city. Aylward credits two coaches in particular for his continued development while with the club – David Bellemare and Jimmy Zito.
“There are no two coaches in Ottawa that could have done a better job getting me ready for the Whitecaps. They are friends, mentors and absolutely brilliant and passionate coaches.”
Aylward also credits his family for all of their endless support with both the Fury and his new venture with Whitecaps FC.