Saiko earns promotion

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star - May 04, 2008

Soccer fans may recall reading a story in this section a few years ago on teenage sensation Shaun Saiko. The son of Vernon-bred Sam and Anita Saiko, Shaun left Edmonton to play at the Middlesbrough Academy (youth system) in England.

He was a 15-year-old, creative midfielder who first garnered the attention of the Middlesbrough staff when his Edmonton Juventus squad went to England during the summer under the guidance of Len Vickery, the University of Alberta Golden Bears coach.

Sam called me recently to let me know Shaun has made considerable progress with one of the most productive British Premier organizations in the country, producing among others, England international Stewart Downing, and Under-21 internationals Andrew Taylor, Lee Cattermole and David Wheater.

"Shaun has moved up to the Reserves," said Sam, a highly-skilled VSS Panther striker in his day. "It's very possible he could be sitting on the the bench with the big team."

The BBC noted that since the 2002-03 season, Middlesbrough had produced the most graduates from their academy to play in at least five first team games. Shaun was switched to defender with the Academy side.

Middlesbrough Reserves play in the Premier Reserve League North. Shaun's uncle Jim, who lives in Vernon, also played soccer all his life. Sam and Anita brought young Shaun to the National Hotel annual May long weekend tournament two years ago.

n The Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in partnership with the B.C. Soccer Association (BCSA), announced Friday the Okanagan WFC has been added as a new Whitecaps Super Y-League affiliate.

Okanagan WFC has previously been operating as Thompson Okanagan FC for the past five years and is currently being managed by the Central Okanagan Youth Soccer Association and Kelowna United, with a mandate to include all players and associations in the Thompson Okanagan region.

With the new 2008 Super Y-League season already in place, this season will see a transitioning of Thompson Okanagan FC to Okanagan WFC. As managers of the affiliate program, the Whitecaps will work with the local associations and partners to help enhance and grow the program.

"We're very excited to officially include the Okanagan as part of the WFC affiliate program," said Whitecaps director of youth Dan Lenarduzzi. "The Whitecaps are respectful of the work that has been done by North Okanagan Youth Soccer Association, COYSA, and Kelowna United on the Super Y-League program.

"With the Whitecaps support in management and operation, our hope is to partner not only with COYSA and NOYSA in this transition, but also partner and work closely with all the local associations to enhance and create a partnership that truly benefits the Thompson Okanagan as a whole and connect it to the Whitecaps FC network and BCSA regional District Development Centre model."

Said NOYSA executive director Marina Korberg: "Partnering with the Whitecaps and BCSA on enhancing the Super Y-League program will provide even greater opportunities for players in the Okanagan to be part of a larger network and vision.”

n Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Burnaby was taken first overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League's bantam draft Thursday.

Nugent-Hopkins, 15, pocketed 126 goals and 117 assists for the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins major bantam team. The Bruins lost to Sherwood Park in the Western Canadian final.

The Chilliwack Chiefs went north in round three of the bantam draft, snagging Quesnel native Tim Traber 51st overall, a gritty in-your-face forward along the same lines as current Bruin David Robinson, of Vernon.

Said Chilliwack scouting director Gary Pochipinski: "He’s a great skater with vision and skill. He can shoot the puck and he’s very physical. He’s like Robinson, with a little more size and a little more quickness.”

Brock McDonald of Vernon was chosen after our deadline Thursday, going 215th to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. McDonald, a centre, had 20-19-39 and 102 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Royal LePage Renegades this season.

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Saiko earns promotion

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