An Alternative Pathway - Turning Canadian Talent into European Pros

Why Highlanders Residency Exists

For many talented young Canadian soccer players, the path to a pro can feel like a dead end. If you don’t land a spot in an MLS academy or a CPL development system by your mid-teens, the opportunities seem to vanish fast.

Thomas Niendorf, Head Coach and President of the Victoria Highlanders, had another vision. Founded in 2016, our full-time, high-performance residency program bridges the gap for players aged U16–U19 who want more than a local club team and want to train in a professional environment day in and day out.

Our model is simple but rare in North America: replicate the elite European academy environment here in Western Canada. Daily training. Professional coaching. Video analysis. A game schedule that challenges our players against men in the competitive Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL), as well as competing for the prestigious Sir John Jackson Cup.

Why Europe? Because countries like Germany have policies that open real doors for North American players. Last year alone, six Highlanders alumni signed professional contracts with clubs in Germany.

The Highlanders Residency program prepares players for the challenges they might face in a European soccer environment. If you’re interested in more information about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Contact us!