Vernon’s Connor Glennon has got the Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer Academy’s attention.
The 13-year-old winger/striker starts today a week-long residency program experience at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.
“Connor will train with the U14 residency, while Alex Matsubara of Kelowna will train with the U15s,” said David Broadhurst, head of the Okanagan Whitecaps coaching staff. “They will train every day so it’s as close to being a professional player you can get at this age.”
Glennon was observed a few times by Stuart Neely, the Whitecaps’ head of high performance, once during the Vernon school academy workouts and once at a prospects session, at the VantageOne indoor facility and again at a prospects camp, at SFU, in early December.
“After seeing him in those different environments, he was invited,” said Broadhurst. “He’s too young for the full-time residency program so the experience will be phenomenal for him.”
Added Glennon: “They say I have good fitness and I’m quick and skilled on the ball.”
Glennon is a Grade 8 student at Seaton and a huge fan of Dutch forward Robin Van Persie and Manchester United. He was “excited and thrilled” to learn about his selection to the program.
“I just want to show what I can do and try to meet new people,” he said.
Glennon led the EA Sports B.C. Soccer Premier League with eight goals last year and then helped Team B.C. win the Western Canadian Under 13 Boys Soccer Championships in Winnipeg.
He was selected Man of the Match versus Alberta North and scored the winner in the sudden-death penalty shootout. Glennon was selected (one of nine B.C. players) by the CSA coaching staff to play in the Umbro Challenge All-Star game at the end of the tournament (his team won 1-0).
“Stuart is really impressed with Connor’s attitude and his technical skills are of the higher level,” said Broadhurst. “His passion for the game in unbelievable; he just can’t get enough of the game.”
