Leveling the Playing Field

Before you ask, no I didn’t create this title just because my boss was born in January. Have you ever asked yourself why the youth players in Tier 1 are often bigger than the players in Tier 2 in the same age category? While obviously not always the case, it is fairly easy to notice among grassroots and early excel program stages. According to something called the Relative Age Effect (RAE) the answer might not be found in the weight room or on the practice field, but on a birth certificate. As I progressed through

The conversation around synthetic turf has shifted once again following FIFA’s decision regarding World Cup 2026, sparking valid concerns for parents and coaches. While the “perfect” study on long-term human health outcomes is still being developed, there is substantial North American research from institutions like the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai that can inform us on the potential risks and help us strategize as to how to reduce them as much as possible. Below we have curated 5 science informed tips to add to your toolbox for

Selecting boots that maximize performance and safety for Alberta’s female soccer players. In the Alberta region, soccer players face a challenge: transitioning between hard-packed, sun-baked natural grass and high-friction artificial turf (AG) from game to game and session to session. For athletes, particularly females, the choice of footwear may be more important that we have previously realized. Far more than just a matter of style, it is a critical factor in injury prevention. If you’re a spectator of mainstream sports, particularly North American soccer leagues, you are likely aware of the concerns about the impact