Post by dadster81 on May 3, 2009 20:54:01 GMT -5
I know something was posted regarding this a while ago, but it is interesting to see who is mentioned. On one Canadian website, Dixon was listed as the #1 center, on another website he was listed as the #3 power forward
March 19, 2009 - Toronto, ON via Erie, PA
It had been rumored for quite some time, and now it's official. A Canadian contingent headed by Grassroots Elite AAU coach, Ro Russell, has taken the first steps to try to capitalizie on the drain of Canadian talent that has decided go to prep schools in the States. Over the past decade, there has been a growing trend for talented Canadian High School basketball players to attend prep schools, in order to make basketball more a way of life by learning from the best coaches, travelling around he U.S. and have their talents exposed to potential NCAA scouts, on a much wider scale.
The North American Academy (NAA) will be the name of the new endeavor which has been established as an extension of the already fully accredited Family First Academy (FFA). The FFA was founded back in 2003 and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, about an hour east of Cleveland, Ohio or an hour southwest of Buffalo, New York. Although the program will certainly have an emphasis towards accommodating aspiring Canadian High School ballers, the Academy already boasts enrollment from students from over 10 countries. The ballers that will make up the Academy’s 320 students in 2009-1010, can look forward to onsite features that include dorm style accommodations with NBA style indoor courts.
The ultimate goal of the NAA will be to afford their student-athletes an opportunity to graduate, qualify and be well prepared for post-secondary education and athletics. The new program has set some lofty ambitions to become a top 10 program in the United States, coupled with providing a high level academics, training, coaching, exposure, and competition for all of their players. Off the court, they promise to provide high quality education via small class sizes, dedicated teachers and advanced student services. The underlying theme if Academy is to find the balance between being strong on discipline and provide a value based academics and life skills development
Ro Russell is no slouch when it comes to Canadian youth basketball. He brings with him 17 years of coaching experience, and has assisted in the development and placement of over 400 former players wishing to play basketball while attaining various levels of Canadian or American post secondary education. Armed with some serious Canadian talent, he led the first Canadian team to win a major AAU Championship, 2008’s Las Vegas’ Adidas Super 64. No doubt that Coach Russell will be looking to replicate the success that he found by having what amounts to a Canadian All-Star team at the time that had the likes of Tristan Thompson, Junior Cadougan, Devoe Joseph, Myck Kabongo, Renaldo Dixon, and Rob Gagliardi among others, last summer.
Along with the Elite High School program that will be run by Coach Russell, the staff will include:
Nate B. Philippe, 2009 coach of Ontario quarter-finalists, West Hill Warriors, will be the head coach of the NAA Varsity Team,
Nick Thomas, former head coach of Bishop Morrocco Catholic School in Toronto, and current assistant coach of Grassroots Canada Elite, to serve as NAA Prep Team, and
Anthony Otto, in charge of player recruitment and development will be the Director of Scouting.
The NAA is looking to make a splash right away by anticipating a competitive schedule in their inaugural season. With their first season looming and the excitement that goes along with launching such a project, success is both on their minds and in their grasp.
March 19, 2009 - Toronto, ON via Erie, PA
It had been rumored for quite some time, and now it's official. A Canadian contingent headed by Grassroots Elite AAU coach, Ro Russell, has taken the first steps to try to capitalizie on the drain of Canadian talent that has decided go to prep schools in the States. Over the past decade, there has been a growing trend for talented Canadian High School basketball players to attend prep schools, in order to make basketball more a way of life by learning from the best coaches, travelling around he U.S. and have their talents exposed to potential NCAA scouts, on a much wider scale.
The North American Academy (NAA) will be the name of the new endeavor which has been established as an extension of the already fully accredited Family First Academy (FFA). The FFA was founded back in 2003 and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, about an hour east of Cleveland, Ohio or an hour southwest of Buffalo, New York. Although the program will certainly have an emphasis towards accommodating aspiring Canadian High School ballers, the Academy already boasts enrollment from students from over 10 countries. The ballers that will make up the Academy’s 320 students in 2009-1010, can look forward to onsite features that include dorm style accommodations with NBA style indoor courts.
The ultimate goal of the NAA will be to afford their student-athletes an opportunity to graduate, qualify and be well prepared for post-secondary education and athletics. The new program has set some lofty ambitions to become a top 10 program in the United States, coupled with providing a high level academics, training, coaching, exposure, and competition for all of their players. Off the court, they promise to provide high quality education via small class sizes, dedicated teachers and advanced student services. The underlying theme if Academy is to find the balance between being strong on discipline and provide a value based academics and life skills development
Ro Russell is no slouch when it comes to Canadian youth basketball. He brings with him 17 years of coaching experience, and has assisted in the development and placement of over 400 former players wishing to play basketball while attaining various levels of Canadian or American post secondary education. Armed with some serious Canadian talent, he led the first Canadian team to win a major AAU Championship, 2008’s Las Vegas’ Adidas Super 64. No doubt that Coach Russell will be looking to replicate the success that he found by having what amounts to a Canadian All-Star team at the time that had the likes of Tristan Thompson, Junior Cadougan, Devoe Joseph, Myck Kabongo, Renaldo Dixon, and Rob Gagliardi among others, last summer.
Along with the Elite High School program that will be run by Coach Russell, the staff will include:
Nate B. Philippe, 2009 coach of Ontario quarter-finalists, West Hill Warriors, will be the head coach of the NAA Varsity Team,
Nick Thomas, former head coach of Bishop Morrocco Catholic School in Toronto, and current assistant coach of Grassroots Canada Elite, to serve as NAA Prep Team, and
Anthony Otto, in charge of player recruitment and development will be the Director of Scouting.
The NAA is looking to make a splash right away by anticipating a competitive schedule in their inaugural season. With their first season looming and the excitement that goes along with launching such a project, success is both on their minds and in their grasp.