Rush Canada Soccer Academy is thrilled to announce that one of our standout players, Patrick Aponowic, has graduated from the Rush Select Academy hub in Port St. Lucie, Florida. After just one year of intensive training, playing, and studying, Patrick has become part of the first generation of graduates from this prestigious program.

Patrick’s soccer journey began with the Rush Canada grassroots program, where he quickly rose through the ranks. He was a key player on our 2006 OPDL team, leading them to become league champions and winners of the L1R playoffs. His exceptional talent and dedication have now earned him a spot in the Rush Select Academy’s elite development program, which combines a private high school education with professional soccer training for top talents from around the world.

The Rush Select Gold team, composed of players born in 2005 and 2006, competes successfully in the adult USL league in Florida, showcasing the high level of skill and commitment developed at the academy. Patrick has exemplified Rush Canada’s development philosophy, which emphasizes high-level skills, freedom of play, and personal responsibility.

We are immensely proud of Patrick, who was one of the leading players in the program. This July, he will be joining NK Varaždin, a premier division club in Croatia, to continue his pursuit of a professional soccer career. Patrick, congratulations on this significant achievement! We are committed to supporting you every step of the way as a valued member of both the Rush Canada and Rush Global families.

Rush Soccer has strong connections with multiple professional clubs in Europe, including NK Varaždin. Many players from the Rush Select Academy are expected to sign their first professional contracts with these clubs this summer and begin their pro careers in the fall season. We are confident that these players will progress through the professional ranks and become prominent names in soccer, thanks to the high standards and finely-tuned development programs of the Rush Select Academy.

For more information on Rush Select Academy, please visit: https://rpsacademies.com