Altitude FC is returning for their second season of semi-pro soccer in North Vancouver, led by a coach who brings a wealth of international experience with him every time he steps on the pitch.
Faly Basse is a well-known name in North Shore soccer circles, and he’s back for his second season coaching both the men’s and women’s teams for Altitude FC in League1 BC.
Sports such as soccer that are played extensively throughout the world have varying play styles from region to region. Understanding different ways to play the sport provides coaches with a greater understanding of how the game is played, and how to teach it.
Before coming to Canada, Basse played in France, where he grew up, as well as England, Germany, and Switzerland.
Since coming to Canada, Basse has been able to expand his reach.
“When I moved here, I started coaching girls, to get to understand more about the philosophy and how things work here in Canada,” he said. “Because back in the day in Europe, soccer for women was totally unknown. And I ended up coaching a women’s team for over seven years on the North Shore.”
Basse also runs the Faly Academy. Named after coach Basse, the bilingual soccer academy has a number of programs ranging from skills development for players as young as three to performance training on Faly U21 teams.
According to Basse, some of the biggest differences between soccer in Canada and France comes down to how athletes are introduced to the game.
“In France, soccer has a culture like a hockey here basically, so when you go there every single player, they learn how to play on the street first,” Basse said.
Without the same cultural emphasis, Basse said many Canadian athletes learn at a different pace.
“We have to go back to basics which is teaching them how to run with the ball or without the ball, co-ordination and all that, which in France is all natural because they have the street smarts first,” he said.
Mark Marshall, co-founder of Altitude FC, said that they have two main focuses this season, skill development of the athletes and expanding the club’s community engagement.
“We spend a lot of time with our players, getting them to understand that this is a great opportunity for them and great platform, but they have a responsibility to really reach out and pay it forward so to speak with the community,” he said.
With their home opening game approaching on May 7, excitement is building within the club.
“I think the fans are going to see that the quality of soccer this year picks up even more from last year on both the men’s and the women’s side,” said Marshall.
Altitude FC opens their League1 BC season on the road in Kamloops against Rivers FC April 30 before hitting the pitch for their home openers against Unity FC May 7. The women kick off at 1 p.m. followed by the men at 3:30 p.m. at North Vancouver’s Kinsmen Field.
For more information on Altitude FC, visit altitudefc.ca.
Jordan Copp is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. He can be contacted at [email protected].
