Elite Winter Combine ~ Registration Deadline
This January, Unity FC brings European professional coaching to Cloverdale Athletic Park in Surrey, BC.
Led by Germany coaches — Carolin Bekemeier (Bayer Leverkusen), Richard Wegmann (SV Sandhausen), and Martin Ochwat (Astoria Walldorf) — together with Unity FC Sporting Director Paul Ballard and Next Step Soccer Founder Victor Oppong — the 2026 Unity FC Elite Winter Combine delivers three days of elite training, tactical development, and competition for ambitious players aged 12–18.
Key points:
- 🇩🇪 European coaches from top professional club academies
- 🧠 Technical, tactical & position-specific training
- 🧤 Dedicated goalkeeper program
- 🏃♂️ Game-based evaluation
- 🎓 Pathway exposure through Unity FC & NSS network
Meet the Coaches
Our international staff represents some of Europe’s top professional development environments.
Together, they bring a blend of Bundesliga-inspired methodology and Canadian player development expertise — giving participants a true “Train Like a Pro” experience.
Carolin Bekemeier - Girls Division
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Carolin Bekemeier is a youth development specialist with a UEFA B Licence and a B.Sc. in Sport & Performance. Working within one of Germany’s top professional club academies, she brings experience developing elite youth players using modern, evidence-based methodology.
At the Unity FC Winter Combine with Next Step Soccer, Carolin will lead the Girls Division — giving players rare access to the same high-performance training standards and technical detail used within German professional academy environments.
Richard Wegmann - Boys Division
SV Sandhausen
Richard Wegmann is a youth development specialist with extensive experience inside Germany’s professional club system, helping guide players through key stages of their technical and tactical growth.
At the Unity FC Winter Combine with Next Step Soccer, Richard will lead the Boys Division — delivering high-intensity sessions shaped by the training standards and player-development principles used across German professional academies.
Martin Ochwat - Goalkeepers
Astoria Walldorf
Martin Ochwat is a youth goalkeeper development specialist with experience inside Germany’s professional academy environment, where he’s helped guide keepers through key stages of their technical and tactical progression.
At the Unity FC Winter Combine with Next Step Soccer, Martin will lead the Goalkeeper Division — delivering focused, scenario-based training built on modern German goalkeeper methodology.
Paul Ballard
Unity FC
Paul Ballard (Sporting Director – Unity FC) leads the Combine — bringing Canadian leadership, Canada Soccer-A & UEFA-A standard coaching, and a clear pathway for ambitious players from the Lower Mainland.
Victor Oppong
Next Step Soccer
Victor Oppong (Founder – NSS) brings global coaching perspective, UEFA-licensed expertise and proven player pathways. At the Unity FC Winter Combine with NSS, Victor oversees the event alongside Paul Ballard — giving you a combination of Canadian leadership and international opportunity.
🌍 Surrey’s Connection to the World’s Game
With Vancouver hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the moment for Canadian soccer has never been bigger.
Unity FC is building the next generation before the world arrives — right here in Surrey.
This Combine is more than a camp — it’s part of our Road to 2026 initiative to elevate player development standards across the Lower Mainland.
🗓️ Combine Schedule
The Combine runs January 2–4, 2026 at Cloverdale Athletic Park.
Each day includes activation, technical and tactical sessions, small-sided games, and group workshops.
Day 1 & 2
📍 Cloverdale Athletic Park
🕒 Girls Division: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
🕒 Boys Division: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
High-intensity training sessions with small-sided games.
Includes 20-30 mins of focused SAQ activation + 90-100 mins of technical and tactical work (position-specific focus) + 30 minute player workshop
*Note: either on-site or off-site athletic testing may be added prior to Day 1.
Day 3
📍 Cloverdale Athletic Park
🕒 Girls Division: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
🕒 Boys Division: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Showcase groupings/teams will be assigned upon arrival.
Each player will play in a minimum of two showcase games, maximum three.
Combine Pricing and Registration
Girls Division
Registration Deadline: December 28
Designed for focused development, players are grouped by age and encouraged to adapt across multiple positions, reflecting the demands of the modern game. With a rare blend of intensive training, tactical development, and gameplay, this combine goes beyond the typical format — delivering a true high-level soccer experience.
👉 Register Here: Girls Division- 2 days of elite on-field training led by top professional European coaches
- 1 day focusing on showcase matches simulating elite-level competition
- Tactical development & position rotation focus
- Unity x NSS Training Top
- Player/parent Q&A sessions (pathways, mindset, training habits)
- Potential follow-up invitations for European opportunities
Boys Division
$ 360 / +tax
Registration Deadline: December 28
Designed for focused development, players are grouped by age and encouraged to adapt across multiple positions, reflecting the demands of the modern game. With a rare blend of intensive training, tactical development, and gameplay, this combine goes beyond the typical format — delivering a true high-level soccer experience.
👉 Register Here: Boys Division- 2 days of elite on-field training led by top professional European coaches
- 1 day focusing on showcase matches simulating elite-level competition
- Tactical development & position rotation focus
- Unity x NSS Training Top
- Player/parent Q&A sessions (pathways, mindset, training habits)
- Potential follow-up invitations for European opportunities
Goalkeepers Division
Registration Deadline: December 28
Designed for focused goalkeeper development, keepers are grouped by age and will go through scenario-based activities reflecting the demands of the modern game. With a rare blend of intensive training, tactical development, and gameplay, this combine goes beyond the typical format — delivering a true high-level soccer experience.
👉 Register Here: Goalkeepers- 2 days of elite on-field training led by top professional European coaches
- 1 day focusing on showcase matches simulating elite-level competition
- Goalkeeper-specific training sessions
- Unity x NSS Training Top
- Player/parent Q&A sessions (pathways, mindset, training habits)
- Potential follow-up invitations for European opportunities
🎁 Early Access Bonus Giveaway
Register early for your chance to win a Salt Athletic Aērcase — the official shoe bag of Unity FC and Unity FC Player Development.
The first 3 players registered will automatically receive one, and three more will be drawn at random from early Phase 1 registrants.
📷 Summer Combine Photo Album
📷 2025 Winter Showcase Photo Album
💬 FAQs
Participation in soccer training and matches involves inherent risks including injury, illness, or accident.
I voluntarily assume all such risks and release and hold harmless Unity Football Club (Unity Athletic Clubs Ltd., All-In Sports Entertainment), Next Step Soccer, City of Surrey, and their directors, officers, employees, coaches, agents, sponsors, partners, and volunteers (“Released Parties”) from any and all claims arising from participation, including those due to negligence, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
I authorize emergency medical treatment if required and accept responsibility for any associated costs.
I certify that the participant is physically fit and able to safely participate. I will follow Event rules and staff instructions and will notify organizers of any injury or illness before or during the Event.
I authorize Unity FC and Next Step Soccer (“Unity FC”) to photograph, film, or otherwise record the Participant during Unity FC programming and to use any photographs or media of the Participant that I upload, submit, or provide to Unity FC, including images in which the Participant may be wearing other club or team apparel.
I authorize Unity FC to use the Participant’s name, image, likeness, voice, and any club/team affiliation for promotional, educational, or commercial purposes in any media format, worldwide and in perpetuity.
I confirm that I am the legal rights holder for the Participant’s name, image, and likeness (NIL), and that no approval is required from any club, academy, or organization for this consent.
I waive any right to inspect or approve materials in which the Participant appears and understand that no compensation will be provided.
If you wish to opt out of NIL usage, please email Camps@unityfc.ca
All participants must demonstrate professionalism, respect, and sportsmanship.
Unity FC reserves the right to remove any participant for unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive behavior without refund.
Unity FC commits significant resources to field rentals, international coach travel, apparel, and staffing in advance of the Winter Combine. For that reason, all refunds follow the schedule below.
⏳ Refund Timeline
- Before Dec 1, 2025 (32+ days out) – 75% refund minus $35 admin fee
- Dec 2 – 15, 2025 – 50% refund minus $35 admin fee
- Dec 16 – 24, 2025 – 25% refund minus $35 admin fee
- After Dec 25, 2025 – No refund available
Administrative fees cover non-recoverable costs such as apparel orders, logistics, and transaction processing.
🤕 Injury or Illness
If a participant is unable to attend due to verified injury or illness, Unity FC may issue a 50% refund or credit with a doctor’s note received by Dec 30, 2025.
After that date, refunds are not available, but a credit toward a future Unity FC event may be considered.
🌧️ Weather & Event Changes
If extreme weather or field conditions alter the schedule but the majority of sessions take place, no refunds will be issued. Unity FC reserves the right to adjust schedules or venues to ensure the event proceeds safely.
If the entire event is canceled by Unity FC, a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee will be provided. *updated Monday, November 17.
👥 Substitutions
Registrants may transfer their spot to another eligible player by Dec 30, 2025, with written notice to Camps@unityfc.ca.
📬 How to Request a Refund
All requests must be submitted in writing to Camps@unityfc.ca and include:
- Player name
- Reason for withdrawal
- Supporting documents (if applicable)
Approved refunds will be processed within 14 business days.
⚠️ Non-Refundable Items
Credit-card fees, issued apparel or training tops, and third-party transaction charges are non-refundable.
✅ By registering, you acknowledge this Refund & Cancellation Policy and agree to the terms above.
These terms are governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
Any disputes shall be resolved in a court of competent jurisdiction in Surrey, BC.
By agreeing and completing the player registration form, I confirm that I have read and understood these terms and acknowledge that I am waiving certain legal rights.
If the participant is under 18, I am their parent or guardian and agree on their behalf.
Unity FC and Next Step Soccer respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you provide.
Information collected through registration — including participant name, contact details, medical information, and emergency contacts — is used solely for the purpose of event administration, communication, safety, and performance tracking during the Unity FC Winter Combine.
We will never sell, rent, or share personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.
Information may be shared only with authorized staff, coaches, and medical personnel involved in event operations, and only as needed to ensure participant safety and event delivery.
All data is stored securely and retained only as long as necessary for event records or as required by law.
By registering, you consent to this limited use of personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws.
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