Following a successful partnership over the last year, FTIFA are delighted to have established their first overseas talent hub in Canada, which will be run by coaching pro, Ian McClurg.
FTIFA have been working in partnership with Ian McClurg Learn Perform Coaching for the last 15 months, and have recently appointed Ian as their North American Recruiter and Coach.
Based in Ancaster just outside Hamilton (one hour south of Toronto), Ian shares the same philosophy and ethos as FTIFA and has a fantastic reputation for developing and supporting youth players through their journey as aspiring footballers.
Ian will recruit talented and motivated players for FTIFA’s Pro Experience programme, which is an elite player development programme for aspiring professional footballers.
Ian will hold quarterly talent ID clinics, attracting highly gifted players, of which he will select the top achievers and train them so they’re ready to embark on the Pro Experience.
James Ward, FTIFA’s International Sales and Partnerships Manager, said:
“For the past 15 months, we have been working in partnership with Ian McClurg Learn Perform providing pathways to our core programmes here at FTIFA. Ian has a fantastic set up with the area boasting a real talent pool for aspiring young players.
“The talent ID event we ran last year in Ancaster was a huge success and it was a great opportunity for me to see first-hand the quality on show.
“We are pleased to strengthen the relationship with Ian McClurg who has become our North American Recruiter and Coach running the first FTIFA talent hub outside of Poolfoot Farm. Ian will be working with the talent pool within his set up and surrounding areas to prepare them for making the step into our Pro Experience programme here at FTFC.”
“The biggest challenge for players in Canada, is that they don’t have a defined pathway on how to pursue training and evaluation opportunities in the UK in order to enhance their levels of performance,” said Ian. “This is something I’m working hard to improve, and the relationship with FTIFA will do just that.”
“We have lots of talent over here, and I’ll be working hard to develop the skills of these aspiring players before they travel over the UK and embark on the Pro Experience programme. I’d like to thank the team at FTIFA for putting their trust in me, and I can’t wait to see this partnership go from strength to strength.”
Click here for more information about FTIFA’s Pro Experience programme.
Congratulations Ian