The Bradford Wolves Soccer Club has its eyes on the prize and FIFA Agent, Nicolas Rognoni, thinks some players have what it takes to go pro.
Rognoni was in Bradford this week to observe players’ performance in trials hosted by the Wolves at the Bradford Sports Dome and confirmed that he felt at least two players were ready to tryout for professional teams overseas.
“The focus is two players here. I will not tell you their names of course, but I think in two or three weeks, they can fly,” he said.
While he couldn’t reveal for which teams the players might try out, Michael Gutta, vice-president of the Wolves, confirmed it could be for clubs in Europe, Asia or Dubai. Gutta said there’s an agreement for Rognoni to continue scouting with the Wolves as they plan to continue holding trial sessions for players from Bradford and surrounding areas.
“It’s important to us because it proves what we’re trying to do. We’re here to develop players and show them a pathway. It’s a matter of what they can do with soccer for their future. It’s literally showing them we have opportunities overseas for them to play professional soccer,” he said.
While Helder Botas, Wolves president, cautioned that the “handshake” agreement wasn’t yet final, he was optimistic the club would be able to expand trials for more players in future.
“This is a rare opportunity, a rare happening in Ontario outside of being in MLS,” he said in reference to the Major League Soccer.
The trial attracted about 130 players to the dome Thursday evening where Rognoni was looking for those in the 14-plus age group with the right skills ready to push themselves to continue improving.
When asked if he liked what he saw on the field, Rognoni replied “Honestly, yes. A few players confirm they have quality, but they have to work out a few things to be more ready,” emphasizing the importance of being able to use both feet equally. “That’s so important. Left and right have to be the same quality. It has to be perfect at the same time,” he said.
Some lucky players could be receiving good news in the new year, meaning more training to ensure they’re ready to go overseas.
“We don’t want players to go for tryouts for professional teams and then come back, we want them to go and sign,” Rognoni said.
It wouldn’t be the first time Wolves players proved their prowess, with eight signed to the professional level in Europe over the last four years and two currently playing overseas, according to Botas.
The Wolves currently run soccer programs for Pups, players as young as two; Cubs, starting at age five; Juniors, starting at age eight; and the Wolves Soccer League with several adult age groups.
To help facilitate the players in all those categories, Gutta said the club has 35 paid coaches, most of whom are ex-players and pass their knowledge onto others.
“You can see how much they love it,” Gutta said.
Botas recalled the Wolves taking over in 2011 from the Bradford Marshlanders, who started playing with the National Soccer League in 1977.
The Wolves then expanded to offer youth programming in 2014.
For more information about the Wolves, visit bradfordwolves.com or call 905-955-4639.
