Christiansburg Soccer is offering Developmental Academy soccer for U9 and U10 players (3rd and 4th grade levels).

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.

About the Developmental Academy Program:

The Developmental Academy Program is the bridge between recreational play and competitive play and builds the skill foundation necessary to play competitively through high school. The Program focuses on developing individual technical skill and gaining a comprehensive understanding of all positions and team play. 

Admission to the Program:

To register, visit our website at www.csoccer.org.

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 Developmental 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.

How to Register: 

To register, visit our website at www.csoccer.org. Click on Register along the top left, then log into our account. On your account homepage you will see New Program Available next to your player’s name. Click on that and select the Developmental Academy Program. Complete the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once the registration is completed.

Additional Program Details:

TRAVEL: Developmental 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: Developmental 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 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, 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: Developmental 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