About BCSAA
Our story, our mandate
Founded in 2017, BC Soccer Academies Association is the independent governing body for academy-based youth soccer across British Columbia.
Building a framework the academy model actually needed
BC Soccer Academies Association was incorporated on July 6, 2017 under the British Columbia Societies Act as a not-for-profit society (Incorporation No. S0067747). It was created to fill a specific gap. Academy programs in British Columbia were staffed by professional coaches and organised around long-term player development, but the competitive structures available to them had been designed for volunteer community clubs with geographic catchments.
BCSAA was formed to provide the missing piece: a governing framework that licences academies against a professional standard, holds them to a single safeguarding policy, and gives them a properly scheduled competitive season to play in.
That season became the Academy Super League. It now spans more than twenty licensed academies, sixty teams and eight hundred registered players across twelve age groups from U7 to U18.
Incorporated 2017
BC Societies Act
No. S0067747
Not-for-profit
At a glance
The society of record
Identity
- Legal name · BC Soccer Academies Association
- Type · BC not-for-profit society
- Governing statute · British Columbia Societies Act
Registration
- Incorporated · July 6, 2017
- Incorporation No. · S0067747
- Business No. · 70583 6690 BC0001
Operations
- Flagship competition · Academy Super League
- Documents adopted · October 23, 2025
- Region · Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley
What Guides Us
Four principles behind every decision
Safety first, always
No competitive objective outweighs the physical and emotional safety of a child. Safeguarding standards are a condition of membership, not an aspiration.
Fair and consistent
The same rules, the same screening requirements and the same disciplinary process apply to every academy, regardless of size or standing.
Development over results
Competition exists to accelerate development. Formats, groupings and coaching standards are set with that order of priority.
Open and accountable
Our constitution, bylaws and policies are published in full. Members and families can see exactly what we require and how decisions are made.
Milestones
How we got here
- 1
Incorporation
2017
BCSAA is incorporated on July 6, 2017 under the BC Societies Act as a not-for-profit society, Incorporation No. S0067747.
- 2
The league takes shape
2017–2024
The Academy Super League grows from a handful of founding academies into a multi-division competition spanning the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
- 3
Governance restated
2025
The association adopts a fully restated Constitution and a sixteen-part set of Bylaws, modernising membership classes, director procedures and financial controls.
- 4
SafeSport expanded
2025
A thirteen-part SafeSport & Child Protection Policy is published, adding a concussion and return-to-play protocol and mandatory emergency action planning.
Our Mandate
Purposes of the association
As set out in Part 2 of the Constitution. These can only be changed by special resolution of the members.
Govern and compete
- Govern and regulate academy-based youth soccer in British Columbia
- Operate the Academy Super League as a competitive platform for licensed academies
- Establish and enforce SafeSport policies to protect young athletes
Standards and development
- Set coaching, training and operational standards for member academies
- Promote bio-banding and evidence-based player development approaches
- Provide pathways for youth players to advance in competitive soccer
Education and advocacy
- Foster education and professional development for coaches and administrators
- Collaborate with other soccer bodies to advance youth development in BC
- Advocate for accessible, inclusive and high-quality soccer programming
The board
Who runs the association
Araz Hajiyev
Director & Founding Member
Co-founder of BCSAA and architect of the Academy Super League. Araz leads governance, league operations and serves as the association’s designated SafeSport Officer.
Rem Dinga
Director & Founding Member
Co-founder of BCSAA. Rem leads academy relations and competition standards, working directly with member programs across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
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