By Surbhi Bhatia
Founded by two dedicated coaches from Lower Mainland, this soccer academy aims to make world-class training and infrastructure accessible to all soccer enthusiasts
From the rise of grassroots teams to World Cup and Olympic performances, and FIFA World Cup coming to this continent, soccer in Canada has truly found its footing. Accessible for kids of all backgrounds and financially manageable for parents, soccer has grown exponentially as a recreational sport. However, high-level coaching, international exposure, and skill development remain a privilege — either for the exceptionally gifted players or those able to spare some extra buck.
Driven by a dream to elevate soccer training in Canada and make individual-focused coaching accessible to players with different skill sets, Justin Sidhu, a soccer player from the Lower Mainland, teamed up with coach Yaw Osei to find Supra Academy in 2017.
“Our goal is to provide player-centered, world-class, professional soccer training for players at all levels through exceptional programs, coaching, and facilities” informs Justin. “Prior to starting a full-time soccer academy, Osei and I delivered athletic training for teams and clubs around the Lower Mainland. We realized there was a significant gap between the soccer programs delivered at the youth level and those delivered in the professional youth environment. And professional training environments were only reserved for the “elite” players in that environment. We believed that to train players to reach higher levels of the game, professional training environments should be available to every player.”
With this in mind, the duo laid the foundation of Supra Academy which started modestly with six players. Today, it boasts a team of highly qualified trainers and coaches working with over 200 young athletes—boys and girls, aged 5 to 18. The academy has successfully placed numerous players at professional levels. Jeevan Badwal, one of the first South Asian kids to join the Vancouver Whitecaps, is a product of Supra Academy.
Grady McDonnell, the youngest player to ever sign a professional contract in the Canadian Premier League, was also part of the Supra Academy. McDonnell plays for Vancouver FC. He played with the Supra Academy, until age 13, and spent some time with the Whitecaps FC Pre-Academy, before officially joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2022.
At just 14 years old, Niko Wood has already achieved a remarkable milestone in his football career. After showcasing his talent at the Rotterdam Orange Veins Cup U15 in April 2023 while representing Supra Academy, Niko has now joined SC Heerenveen. Their athlete Matteo Rizzo signed with first division Eredivise club FC Utrecht in 2023. Almost 20 players joined Whitecaps Academy, and 9 in European Football with teams of Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Czech Republic and Serbia.
The academy focuses on addressing technical weaknesses while continually enhancing each player’s tactical knowledge and confidence. Supra Academy’s Soccer Skills Centre program is designed for players aged 4 to 12, who may already be part of other teams or clubs but wish to experience Supra’s elite training sessions without committing to a full academy season.
For those seeking more tailored development, private soccer training programs are available. These sessions offer focused attention on specific skill areas or general improvement. The academy also uses cutting-edge technology, including Veo cameras, to record and analyze matches. These tools allow players and coaches to review performances and make adjustments.
Supra’s invite only development programs offer players opportunity to travel both nationally and internationally. The Ace team program players participate in many local and travel tournaments in the USA and Europe. The Alpha development team high level group which gives players the opportunity to travel on a less frequent basis yet still play as many competitions to best complement each player’s development.
What sets Supra Academy apart is its Achieve Soccer Performance Centre—a unique residency and soccer preparation program. “It’s a one-of-a-kind program for players aiming for collegiate, university, and professional soccer opportunities,” explains Justin. “Players spend half of their day in school and the other half training. They dedicate over 25 hours a week to technical, team, and strength training, as well as speed development, mental skills, nutrition, yoga, and rehab. We even do concussion testing and provide personal health coaches. It’s designed to replicate the experience of professional youth academies in Europe’s biggest clubs.”
Accessibility is at the heart of Supra Academy’s mission. To ensure that financial limitations don’t prevent talented players from reaching their potential, the academy has partnered with Sidoo Family Giving Foundation. Jordan Sidoo, part of the Foundation is also the operations head of Supra Academy. He says his role is to ensure that no kid is denied the opportunity to play the sport and participate in international tournaments due to financial constraints. Therefore, his family foundation generously contributes and sponsors players who are part of the academy.
Looking ahead, Justin’s vision is for Supra Academy to grow both nationally and internationally. “With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Canada has a real shot at being recognized as a soccer nation. There’s so much talent here, and more eyes are turning toward Canadian players. I hope our national team continues to grow, and that the Canadian Premier League becomes a major force. There’s no limit to where we can go.”
