Q&A: Getting to know Jorge Rodriguez, Villarreal Alberta Academy Director
Prior to the launch of Villarreal’s first partner academy to be announced in 2022, we spoke to Jorge Rodriguez, director of the newly founded Villarreal Alberta Academy. A former professional player himself, Jorge founded the International Soccer Academy in the city of Edmonton that is in the province of Alberta, Canada, to give back to players and share his expertise as a coach. Receiving the Bert Goldberger Technical Leader Award which is given to an individual who has demonstrated technical leadership through his efforts by enhancing the reputation of soccer in Alberta all while inspiring others to improve our sport. Now, through his academy’s collaboration with Villarreal CF, Villarreal Alberta Academy is born and will enable Jorge and his staff to provide unrivalled opportunities to Canadian players with a real pathway to professional soccer in Spain.
Tell us about your background and experience in soccer.
I started out as a player with Audax Italiano, a professional team in Chile. I progressed from the under-10s all the way through to the under-17s.
After turning 18 years old, I played professionally for Audax Italiano and I also went on to play for Santiago Wanders, Curicó Unido, Santa Cruz and Edmonton Brick Men (Canada).
What made you decide to partner with Villarreal CF?
Ever since I stopped playing professional soccer, I have worked hard at continuing to put my professionalism into my practice in the academy. It has always been my vision to work with a professional club and be able to give the children a different direction. I wanted to work with a club that had the same vision as I always have, all the while making it feel like a family environment. Villarreal CF is just that and more. It is one of the biggest teams in Europe, and it is much more than I ever thought could be possible.
What opportunities will this partnership give to young soccer players in Canada?
For the Canadian soccer players, this is a very big and important opportunity because they will be able to develop their techniques at a high level with the professional coaches at Villarreal CF. With the visits to Spain and Villarreal’s facilities, it will give the Canadian children the opportunity to see and learn that type of “fútbol” life, what they can obtain and have a positive outlook on their soccer path when they return to Canada. I have been in their shoes and this is an experience they need to live for themselves, to open up their minds to knowing that this could become a reality for them.
Tell us about Villarreal Alberta Academy.
We started the academy in the summer of 2018 with 13 players of mixed ages with boys and girls. Currently, we have opened up our camps to six different groups per hour, where we accept a limited amount of players per group. We believe in quality over quantity. We currently have four coaches, all of whom are UEFA-licensed, including one who is also a goalkeeper coach. The main members of staff are my son, Jorgie, UEFA-licensed coach, my daughter, Italia, who is the business operator, and my daughter, Paola, who works in accounts receivables and apparel and myself, also a UEFA-licensed coach.
We work with all clubs and academies in Edmonton and the surrounding areas as we believe in working together to bring soccer to a higher level in Canada, specifically in Alberta.
What are the mission and goals for Villarreal Alberta Academy?
Our mission for the Villarreal Alberta Academy is to provide pathways and opportunities for players in Edmonton (and soon the rest of Alberta) in all aspects of soccer, including scholarships at the university and college level, as well as opening a path to pro soccer careers.
Providing the best environment for soccer players to create the highest quality of long-term player development programs. Our mission is also to help develop coaching staff, so that they can offer the best training to all soccer players.
We are extremely grateful and humbled with this partnership and we couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity for our academy and for all the players attending our academy.
