Registration is now open for the fall U9 and U10 Academy program. The program is FREE and open to all 2009 and 2008 players, and any 2010 players with a coach recommendation. Registration will remain open until Friday, June 2nd. Player evaluations will be held the following week.
Christiansburg Soccer is offering FREE ACADEMY soccer for players born in 2009 and 2008.
Interested players must be competitive, have an appropriate amount of athleticism, show strong effort, and have the ability to follow coach direction. Specific soccer skills are not a priority.
Please note: This program is available to players with a 2009 or 2008 birth year. Any players with a 2010 birth year must have a coach recommendation in order to be evaluated. To receive a coach recommendation, please have your current coach contact us at christiansburgsoccer@gmail.com.
About the Academy Program:
The Academy program is the bridge between recreational play and competitive play and builds the skill foundation necessary to play competitively through high school. The Academy focuses on individual technical skill and gaining a comprehensive understanding of all positions and team play. Joining the academy program differs from both the rec and travel programs in that players must be evaluated to ensure that they meet the basic requirements for the program. This is not rec where everyone is accepted nor is it a tryout where players must demonstrate a certain level of technical and tactical skill. More on the evaluation process below.
Practices and Games:
Players will have two 75 minute practices per week and will play in a variety of game situations throughout the season. The Academy program does not offer a standard eight-week, one game per week schedule. Games will be played on either Saturday or Sunday and may be comprised of intra-squad, friendlies, traditional games, festivals, and tournaments.
Cost:
The program will be FREE for all eligible players born in the years mentioned above.
How to Register:
Interested players must pre-register for evaluations.
To register, visit our website at www.csoccer.org. Click on Register along the top left, then log into our account. On your account home page you will see New Program Available next to your player’s name. Click on that and select the 2017 Fall Academy Program. Complete the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once the registration is completed.
Registration is open now and through June 2nd at 6pm.
Evaluations:
Unlike the rec program that accepts all players, the Academy program conducts evaluations to ensure that all registered players are appropriate for the program. This is not a tryout, simply a way for coaches to make sure that your player exhibits the basic requirements to participate in the program.
Evaluations will be held in early June for all new players. Current academy players must register for the program and are encouraged to attend the evaluations.
CSC will accept the appropriate number of players based on coaching resources and team size limitations for each age group. Our goal is to accept as many interested players as possible.
Additional Program Details:
TRAVEL: Academy players will not travel more than 40 minutes away for games UNLESS parents agree that they want their child to participate. Festivals and tournaments may be further away, however multiple games are played in each which offsets the travel burden.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: The intent of the program is to emphasize individual player development NOT team development. This includes technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial development that will prepare them to compete in the sport and increase their knowledge and love of the game.
TIME COMMITMENT: Academy practices two times per week, with each practice being 75 minutes, rather than one time per week for the rec players at that age level.
COACHES: All academy coaches have earned their National E License from U.S. Soccer. Coaches are volunteers.
PRACTICE COMMITMENT: a) Players must attend practices – each practice is 75 minutes; b) have their own soccer ball and water and shin guards for each practice; c) must be respectful and responsive to the coaches; d) must not be disruptive to other players; and e) must demonstrate progress through the season.
GAMES: Academy is different from rec. There will NOT be a game each Saturday. Some weekends will be free; some will have multiple festival games; rather than games vs. other opponents, CSC may create smaller competitions to further focus on the developmental foundations of soccer. CSC will be following the guidelines of United States Youth Soccer and Virginia Youth Soccer to make sure that the kids develop their skills.
PARENT COMMITMENT: All players are required to attend both practices each week and all scheduled games/activities. Players need to arrive on the field for practices ready to begin and at the game field at the coach designated times. Any scheduling issues need to be sent to your team manager. There will be one parent meeting per season. At least one parent from each household must attend.
SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED: As long as your child is familiar with soccer and displays an appropriate level of athleticism and direction-following, then that is all we are looking for. We are confident that the players will improve if they follow through with the practice commitment.
If you have any questions on program specifics, please contact us at christiansburgsoccer@gmail.com
