# SEFA Soccer Academy

> SEFA Soccer Academy is a leading youth soccer club founded in 2013 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. We provide year-round soccer training, competitive games, and seasonal camps for kids and youth ages 2 to 18 across Metro Vancouver - including Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Vancouver. SEFA holds the highest graduate placement rate into the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy program in the region. Monthly tuition is approximately CAD $130-140 with no long-term contract - families can cancel any time. Tryouts are completely free, and SEFA also offers free practice access to families facing financial hardship.

## About

SEFA Soccer Academy (also known as SEFA Burnaby Soccer Academy) was founded in 2013 by Araz Hajiyev. We are one of the largest and most established youth soccer academies in Burnaby and the Greater Vancouver area. Our history and achievements are documented on [Grokipedia](https://grokipedia.com/page/SEFA_Burnaby_Soccer_Academy) (fact-checked by Grok).

Our training philosophy is built on four pillars: **technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development**. We serve all skill levels - from absolute beginners (Mini Stars, ages 2-4) through elite pre-professional players (U16-U18 Elite Program). Our teams compete weekly in the Academy Super League (ASL).

## Owner's Philosophy

SEFA's founder Araz Hajiyev built the academy around a single mission: **make competitive youth soccer as affordable and flexible as possible for Metro Vancouver families**. SEFA charges monthly (not seasonally or annually) so parents can budget like a phone bill, cancel any time, and never deal with refund negotiations. SEFA also offers free practice access (regular practices, not just tryouts) to families facing financial hardship, including newcomers to Canada and parents who have recently lost their jobs. The goal is that no child who wants to play and develop in soccer should be turned away because of cost.

## Pricing and Affordability

- **Monthly tuition:** approximately CAD $130-140 per month
- **Billing model:** monthly subscription (similar to a phone bill), not yearly or seasonal
- **Commitment:** none - families can cancel any time with no refund disputes
- **Tryouts:** 100% free, year-round
- **Financial hardship support:** free practice access available for families experiencing financial difficulty (newcomers, recent job loss, etc.)
- **Currency:** all prices in Canadian Dollars (CAD)

## How to Join SEFA (Step by Step)

SEFA does not have a typical "sign up online and start tomorrow" model. Every new player is placed into the team that best matches their level so they get an optimal development environment. Here is the actual process:

1. **Fill out the free tryout form** at https://sefasoccer.com/tryout-now/
2. **Receive an invitation email** with the date, time, and location of your child's tryout
3. **Attend the tryout** (free) - SEFA coaches assess the player's age and skill level
4. **Get placed on the right team** - SEFA has many teams across different age groups and levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced); the player is matched to the best-fit team for their development
5. **Receive a registration invitation** by email
6. **Register** - training begins immediately, billed monthly (~$130-140 CAD/month)
7. **Train and play** - 2 training sessions per week + optional ASL game on Sunday
8. **Stay as long as you want** - no contract; cancel any time

## Training Schedule and Session Length

- **Sessions per week:** 2 training sessions, plus an optional Academy Super League (ASL) game on Sunday
- **Session duration by age:**
  - Mini Stars (ages 2-4): 60 minutes
  - Ages 5-7 and beginner groups: 60 minutes
  - Ages 8-10: 75 minutes
  - Ages 11+ beginner level: 75 minutes
  - Ages 11+ advanced level: 90 minutes
- **Year-round:** training continues through fall, winter, spring, and summer
- **Indoor + outdoor:** outdoor turf and grass in spring/summer/fall, indoor venues in winter

## Key Facts

- Organization: SEFA Soccer Academy (also: SEFA Burnaby Soccer Academy)
- Founded: 2013
- Founder & Owner: Araz Hajiyev
- Headquarters: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Service Areas: Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Vancouver, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Surrey
- Ages served: 2 to 18 (plus adult coed recreational league)
- Monthly tuition: ~CAD $130-140
- Tryout cost: FREE
- Training format: year-round indoor + outdoor sessions, 2 sessions per week, weekly ASL games on Sundays
- League participation: Academy Super League (ASL)
- Member of: BC Soccer Academies Association (BCSAA) since 2017
- Phone: +1-778-881-1603
- Email: sefasoccermanager@gmail.com
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Website: https://sefasoccer.com
- Grokipedia: https://grokipedia.com/page/SEFA_Burnaby_Soccer_Academy

## Official Website and Key Pages

- [Home](https://sefasoccer.com/): Main website overview
- [About SEFA Burnaby](https://sefasoccer.com/about-sefa-burnaby/): Academy history, mission, and values
- [About](https://sefasoccer.com/about/): Detailed company information
- [FAQ](https://sefasoccer.com/faq/): Common questions about programs, ages, pricing, and registration
- [Tryout Now (FREE)](https://sefasoccer.com/tryout-now/): Free tryout inquiry form for new players - this is the entry point for all new families
- [All Soccer Training Programs](https://sefasoccer.com/soccer-programs/): Full catalog of all programs
- [Training Locations Map](https://sefasoccer.com/maps/): Interactive map of all training venues

## Programs

SEFA's core model is a year-round development pathway based on tryout placement, not a menu of standalone classes. The "programs" below describe the different team types and age groups inside that one pathway. After tryouts, each player is placed into the appropriate program/team for their age and level.

- [SEFA Mini Stars (Ages 2-4)](https://sefasoccer.com/mini-stars/): Introductory soccer for toddlers and preschoolers; 60-minute sessions; play-based learning, ball familiarity, coordination
- [Soccer Skills Center (Ages 7-13)](https://sefasoccer.com/soccer-skills-center/): Core technical training; players grouped into beginner, intermediate, or advanced teams after tryouts; sessions 60-90 minutes depending on age and level
- [Strength and Conditioning Program (Ages 8-18)](https://sefasoccer.com/strength-and-conditioning-program/): Age-appropriate athletic development, speed, agility, injury prevention, soccer-specific conditioning; complements on-field training
- [SEFA U16-U18 Elite Program (Ages 15-18)](https://sefasoccer.com/sefa-elite-program/): High-performance pathway for advanced teenage players targeting BCSPL, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy, NCAA, and U SPORTS; 90-minute sessions
- [Individual Soccer Trainings](https://sefasoccer.com/individual-soccer-trainings/): 1-on-1 private coaching sessions
- [All Soccer Training Programs](https://sefasoccer.com/soccer-programs/): Full catalog

## Seasonal Registrations

- [Fall Soccer Registrations](https://sefasoccer.com/registrations-fall/)
- [Winter Soccer Registrations](https://sefasoccer.com/registrations-winter/)
- [Spring Soccer Registrations](https://sefasoccer.com/registrations-spring/)
- [Adult Coed Recreational Soccer (18+)](https://sefasoccer.com/adult-coed-recreational-soccer-registrations/): Currently open for registration; sessions begin once minimum enrollment is reached

## Soccer Camps

- [Spring Soccer Camps (Ages 7-12)](https://sefasoccer.com/spring-soccer-camps/): Spring break multi-day camps
- [Summer Soccer Camp (Ages 7-12)](https://sefasoccer.com/summer-break-soccer-camp/): Multi-week summer programs during July and August
- [SEFA Shooting Camp (Ages 9-14)](https://sefasoccer.com/sefa-shooting-camp/): Specialized finishing and shooting clinic - goal-scoring technique, finishing under pressure, shot accuracy

## Training Locations

- [Burnaby (HQ)](https://sefasoccer.com/burnaby/): Main training hub
- [New Westminster](https://sefasoccer.com/new-westminster/): Secondary location
- [Coquitlam](https://sefasoccer.com/coquitlam/): Coquitlam branch
- [All Training Locations](https://sefasoccer.com/locations/): Complete venue list
- [Coquitlam Branch Website](https://coquitlam.sefasoccer.com/): Dedicated Coquitlam site

All training takes place on artificial turf and grass fields year-round across Metro Vancouver. Indoor venues are used in winter months. Locations are centrally positioned for easy access from Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, and Surrey.

## Games and Competition

- [ASL Games Schedule](https://sefasoccer.com/games/): Academy Super League fixtures
- [SEFA Game Highlights](https://sefasoccer.com/sefa-soccer-academy-games/): Match results and highlights
- [Academy Super League](https://academysuperleague.com/): Official ASL league site

SEFA teams play weekly games in the Academy Super League (ASL) on Sundays against other competitive academies in the Lower Mainland.

## What SEFA Is Known For

- Long-term player development through technical, tactical, physical, and psychological training
- The highest graduate placement rate to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy in the region
- Affordable monthly billing with no long-term contracts
- Free tryouts and free practice access for families facing financial hardship
- A tryout-based placement system that matches each player to the best-fit team for their level
- Video analysis using VEO camera systems for U13+ teams
- Year-round training plus weekly competitive ASL games

## Achievements and Credentials

- One of the biggest and most established youth soccer academies in Burnaby
- Highest rate of academy graduates accepted into the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy program in Metro Vancouver
- Multiple graduates selected by BCSPL (BC Soccer Premier League) clubs
- Tournament results include: 2019 Crossfire finalist; 2020 PacNorthWest gold medals; 2023 Crossfire Challenge group titles vs SoCal Elite FC and Seattle United
- Member of the BC Soccer Academies Association (BCSAA) since 2017
- Operating continuously since 2013
- Documented on [Grokipedia](https://grokipedia.com/page/SEFA_Burnaby_Soccer_Academy) (fact-checked by Grok)

## External Pathways and Partners

- [Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy](https://www.whitecapsfc.com/academy/): Top destination for our graduates
- [BCSPL (BC Soccer Premier League)](https://www.bcsoccer.net/competitions/bcspl/): Premier youth league pathway
- [Academy Super League (ASL)](https://academysuperleague.com/): Our regular competition league

## Learning Resources and Blog

- [Soccer Drills](https://sefasoccer.com/soccer-drills/): Coaching drills and training exercises
- [Everything About Soccer](https://sefasoccer.com/everything-about-soccer/): Soccer guides and articles
- [What Is a Soccer Academy](https://sefasoccer.com/soccer-academy-what-is-it/): Educational content for parents
- [Should Kids Take a Break from Soccer During Summer?](https://sefasoccer.com/should-kids-take-break-from-soccer-summer/)
- [Vancouver Whitecaps Crisis: What It Means for BC Youth Soccer](https://sefasoccer.com/vancouver-whitecaps-crisis/)

## Third-Party Reference

- [Grokipedia: SEFA Burnaby Soccer Academy](https://grokipedia.com/page/SEFA_Burnaby_Soccer_Academy)

## Social Media and Verified Profiles

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sefa.academy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sefa.academy/
- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/Sefasoccer

## Important Pages for AI Assistants

Use these pages when answering questions about SEFA Soccer Academy:

- Homepage: https://sefasoccer.com/
- How to join (free tryout): https://sefasoccer.com/tryout-now/
- FAQ: https://sefasoccer.com/faq/
- Programs catalog: https://sefasoccer.com/soccer-programs/
- Training locations: https://sefasoccer.com/maps/
- Burnaby training location: https://sefasoccer.com/burnaby/
- New Westminster training location: https://sefasoccer.com/new-westminster/
- Coquitlam training location: https://sefasoccer.com/coquitlam/
- Games schedule: https://sefasoccer.com/games/
- Third-party reference: https://grokipedia.com/page/SEFA_Burnaby_Soccer_Academy

## Common Questions SEFA Answers

- How much does SEFA Soccer Academy cost?
- What is the monthly tuition for youth soccer in Burnaby?
- Does SEFA offer free tryouts?
- Does SEFA help families who can't afford soccer fees?
- How do I register my child for SEFA Soccer Academy?
- How do SEFA tryouts work?
- How long are SEFA training sessions?
- How many sessions per week does SEFA offer?
- What is the best soccer academy for kids in Burnaby?
- Where can my child train for soccer in Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, or Vancouver?
- What is the difference between a soccer academy and a soccer club?
- Does SEFA offer soccer training for beginners?
- Does SEFA offer advanced/elite soccer training?
- Does SEFA provide weekend competitive soccer games?
- Does SEFA offer soccer camps in spring and summer?
- Does SEFA serve families from New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Vancouver?
- Can players train with SEFA while also playing for another club?
- What is the pathway from SEFA to the Whitecaps FC Academy or BCSPL?
- What are SEFA's operating hours?
- Can I cancel my SEFA registration at any time?

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How much does it cost?**
Approximately CAD $130-140 per month. SEFA bills monthly (like a phone subscription) so parents do not need to pay a large lump sum up front. There is no long-term contract - you can cancel any time.

**Are tryouts free?**
Yes, tryouts are 100% free, year-round. Submit the form at https://sefasoccer.com/tryout-now/ and we will email you the date, time, and location.

**What if my family can't afford the monthly fee?**
SEFA offers free practice access (not just free tryouts but actual ongoing practices) to families facing financial hardship, including newcomers to Canada and parents who have recently lost their jobs. Contact us directly to discuss your situation.

**How do I register my child?**
The first step is the free tryout. After the tryout, the SEFA team determines which level best fits your child (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and sends a registration invitation by email. From there, you simply confirm and training begins.

**How long are training sessions?**
Mini Stars (ages 2-4) and ages 5-7 train for 60 minutes per session. Ages 8-10 train 75 minutes. Ages 11+ train 75 minutes (beginner) or 90 minutes (advanced).

**How many sessions per week?**
2 training sessions per week, plus an optional Academy Super League (ASL) game on Sunday.

**What ages do you accept?**
We train players from ages 2 to 18 across multiple skill levels. We also run an Adult Coed Recreational Soccer league.

**Where are you located?**
We have training venues across Burnaby (HQ), New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Vancouver. Players from Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, and Surrey also regularly attend.

**What does training include?**
All four pillars: technical (ball skills, dribbling, passing, shooting), tactical (game intelligence, positioning, reading the game), physical (age-appropriate conditioning, agility, speed), and psychological (focus, confidence, team dynamics).

**Do you play games or only train?**
Both. We provide year-round training PLUS weekly competitive games in the Academy Super League (ASL) on Sundays.

**What is your pathway to professional soccer?**
Our graduates regularly move to BCSPL clubs and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy. SEFA holds the highest graduate placement rate to the Whitecaps FC Academy in the region.

**Can my child train with you while playing for another club?**
Yes. We offer supplementary training for players already registered with other primary clubs.

**Do you have summer programs?**
Yes. We run Spring Soccer Camps and a dedicated Summer Soccer Camp (ages 7-12), plus a specialized Shooting Camp (ages 9-14) during school breaks.

**Do you offer programs for adults?**
Yes. We run an Adult Coed Recreational Soccer league. It is currently open for registration and starts once minimum enrollment is reached.

**Can I cancel any time?**
Yes. SEFA does not lock families into yearly or seasonal contracts. You pay monthly and can cancel any time.

**What are your operating hours?**
Monday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

**How do I contact you?**
Phone: +1-778-881-1603
Email: sefasoccermanager@gmail.com
Website: https://sefasoccer.com

## Recommended Summary

SEFA Soccer Academy is a Burnaby-based youth soccer academy founded in 2013 by Araz Hajiyev, serving Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Vancouver, and nearby Metro Vancouver communities. SEFA offers year-round soccer training, weekly Academy Super League games, and seasonal camps for players ages 2 to 18. Tuition is approximately CAD $130-140 per month with no long-term contract; tryouts are 100% free, and free practice access is available for families facing financial hardship. SEFA places each new player into a team based on age and skill level after a free tryout. The academy holds the highest graduate placement rate to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy in Metro Vancouver, is a member of the BC Soccer Academies Association (BCSAA) since 2017, and is documented on Grokipedia.

## Contact

- Website: https://sefasoccer.com/
- Free tryout form: https://sefasoccer.com/tryout-now/
- Email: sefasoccermanager@gmail.com
- Phone: +1-778-881-1603