Toronto Lynx Press Release - www.torontolynxpremiersoccer.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2010

TORONTO, ONTARIO – A U13 Lynx Juniors player, Nathan Mesher has created “The Coaches Award” to help players in Toronto who cannot afford the travel fees associated with playing for the top youth academy in Toronto. The program relies on businesses and individuals to contribute with financial support, making it possible for players to achieve their soccer and university ambitions by becoming a member of the Toronto Lynx Premier Soccer Academy.

“I founded this program to allow me to help give back to players that are less fortunate than myself,” Mesher said. “Players that receive financial assistance will have an equal opportunity to achieve a soccer scholarship together with a university education.”

To date, Toronto Lynx players have earned over 100 such scholarships.

“This award demonstrates how the power and good will of communities can change a youth player’s life forever,” said Lynx Academy Director Duncan Wilde.

The Toronto Lynx Premier Soccer Academy is specifically designed for elite-level soccer players that have ambitions of earning soccer scholarships at universities in Canada and the United States. The academy is a year-round player development program requiring a full commitment from each player. Recent teams have proved to be very competitive against some of the top competition in North America, with three Junior Lynx teams qualifying for USL Super Y-League North American Finals in 2009. The Toronto Lynx are currently the ranked No. 1 ranked boys club in the Midwest Division of the Super Y-League. Toronto is also the No. 7 ranked boys club in North America based on the 2009 SYL First 11 Rankings.

All of Toronto’s Junior Lynx and Lady Lynx teams compete in the Midwest Division of USL’s Super Y-League. The Lynx also enter each team in seven of the highest ranked tournaments and college showcase events throughout the year. The SYL North American Finals are hosted in Tampa, Florida each November. All Toronto Lynx teams are eligible to qualify to compete in the event based on their performance in the Super Y-League regular season. There are two playoff spots open for each age group.

All Lynx Academy Teams began winter indoor training during the first week in January 2010. The Toronto Lynx train indoor twice a week until the outdoor season begins. Teams adopt a three day training schedule once the outdoor sessions begin.

The Toronto Lynx Academy currently has five players registered with the Canadian Youth National Teams, including three players in the Men’s Olympic Development Program. All Junior Lynx players will be registered with both the Toronto Soccer Association and the United Soccer Leagues (USL).

No other academy program in Toronto offers the components available to Toronto Lynx Academy players. Lynx players are registered with the Toronto Soccer Association, Ontario Soccer Association and the Super Y-League. Players also gain the opportunity to be selected for USL’s SYL ODP National Camps and the Lynx Mentor program, which allows players future playing opportunities in the USL Premier Development League and USL W-League. Returning college players are eligible to compete in USL’s Super-20 League where the Lynx have enjoyed much success, advancing to the league semifinals in 2007 and the championship match in 2008.

The Lynx have been USL members for 14 years. The club has a proven track record of forwarding players into NCAA Soccer Programs in the United States since 2004. Founded in 1988 by Wilde, the Lynx possess 20 years of academy business experience in Ontario. The club has won five Super Y-League Division titles, advanced to the Super Y-League semifinals five times and have played in the final twice. The Lynx have also appeared in one Dallas Cup final.