Earlier this week, with an opportunity afforded by management at Last Word on Sports and a gracious offer of time by James Sharman, I was privileged to interview James on the current status of soccer in Canada.

As most soccer fans will know, James is a sportscaster and writer who currently works as a host on Sportsnet’s Soccer Central. For those who appreciate the game and follow it closely, James is a source of incredible, in-depth knowledge and always provides an insightful view on events and issues as they unfold. It was refreshing to get his positive, encouraging, and balanced view on the current state of the game here in Canada.

I’d just like to start off by saying thank-you (both personally and on behalf of Last Word on Sports and personally) to James Sharman for offering this interview opportunity.

The interview text follows below.

We’ve had a great World Cup and have settled back into the regular daily business. In Canada of course, that means a focus on club teams in MLS. There’s also been some attention on our hosting the Women’s under 20 World Cup, and I’ve even heard a little speculation on where our Canadian National Men’s Team might stand going forward into the next qualification round.

In this interview, I am particularly interested in your thoughts on several aspects around the development of soccer in Canada.

Firstly, could you please comment/share your view on where we stand as a “soccer nation”, in terms of such areas as participation, public support/interest, player development/quality, international competitiveness? Are there strengths and challenges that stand out?

James Sharman: I think it is really important to realize that we are still in our soccer infancy, to compare ourselves to traditional soccer cultures is just not realistic, however we are a nation that is currently riding a wave, and have been for several years, however that wave is still yet to crest. Yes, apparently we have close to a million active participants in the game, and that is great, but how many of those participants live and breathe the sport, how many of those kids go home after school and have a kick about in the street or the park? We are on the way, but we’re not there yet, and that’s ok, we don’t need to boast that we are rivaling hockey just yet, that is pointless.

We now have 3 Canadian teams in MLS. Beyond the obvious opportunities for homegrown players, to what extent is professional soccer helping promote soccer publicly and down through player ranks? For example, do you see it helping generate a wider base of new/stronger local talent?

JS: Professional soccer has taken such major steps over the last decade or so. Let’s be honest, once Toronto FC was born, suddenly the game had a legitimate place in at least the mainstream sport discussion. The timing of course was perfect with David Beckham’s arrival to MLS, but suddenly people were at least talking about domestic soccer. Prior to that there was an extremely loyal, passionate but small base of domestic soccer fans, but the tide changed in 2007. The arrival of Vancouver and Montreal have only expediated this process. Kids now at least see a pathway to playing the game at a high level, and with all the work these clubs are doing within their communities, soccer is suddenly very visible, and looks and feels professionally run, that is a huge advancement.

When we look at the current North American structure; professional MLS and academies, tiers below, such as NASL, college systems, can you comment on how well these systems are developed, how they have grown, and the impact you see them having on player development?

JS: There has been a definite knock on effect, with the MLS clubs pouring money into their academies, it has forced the amateur club system to take a look at itself, and do its best to keep on pace. The arrival of many private academies over recent years is also an example of an alternative, and its really forced the clubs to wake up. As a result, coaching improves, and that is still the main area where a nation like Canada needs to up its game, and slowly but surely is.

To what extent are amateur organizations in the country connected to our professional clubs (i.e., through academies, scouting)? Is there any evidence of support in either or both directions?

JS: There is still some tension between the amateur club system and the professional Academy system. In some quarters the MLS clubs for example have encountered road blocks based out of envy, on the other hand certain amateur clubs complain that the MLS clubs are only self serving. There is likely a bit of truth on both sides. The independent academies have also complained for a long time that the politics in regional soccer have been a huge mountain to climb, but perhaps it is changing. See Sigma invited to the OntarioLeague1 alongside TFC for example is a big indicator than maybe change is coming.

You have seen models of soccer development throughout the world, and particularly in successful countries such as Germany.

Are there other avenues, organizations, or strategies that Canadian soccer should look towards for development models? (i.e., beyond our own North American models -an example could be partnerships with other countries in both coach and player training).

JS: Partnering up with overseas professional clubs is always an option, and certainly gives the opportunity to upgrade the coaching on offer over here, but I believe that too has been met with some derision in some areas. The LTPD models being initiated across the country are an enormous step in the right direction. There is always the comparisons to Germany for example, and certainly we can learn a lot from that program, but Germany is also a soccer nation, and already have a rock solid foundation, in many ways we are starting from scratch.

What changes do you see as necessary to reach greater levels of player development in Canada? Are we on the right path with the current structure (i.e., MLS, academies, provincial associations) in terms of growing world class players that will remain committed to their domestic league and country?

JS: As mentioned earlier, coaching is so important. We need to coach our coaches, which of course costs money, so where does the money come from? The much maligned CSA is still unfairly compared to the sins of its past, there are people involved now who are active in the business and commercial world. The crux of the situation is, to really bring in big money, you need success, and without big money it is hard to be successful. The European option for players is still the big carrot, and that is still probably the best way for a true talent to develop, but these days the domestic options are so much better than they used to be. It is imperative that the set-up here is completely professional, and that players no matter where they are based feel wanted, and are comfortable. Then, maybe we can retain some of our top top talent.

More specifically, and I have to ask: are the necessary ingredients (player quality, development structures) in place to challenge for a spot in the next World Cup, or any World Cup beyond?

JS: I still think Canada is a long way off from qualifying for a World Cup. Benito Floro has led the nation through a very unpleasant spell, but a crucial spell of just seeing what we have. The results over the past couple of years have been lousy, but it has been search and find mission. Sadly as the World Cup showed Concacaf is not getting weaker, it is getting stronger. One day we will be back at the World Cup, but we just need to be realistic and very patient.

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