SSA Participates in two leagues in the 13U and older Select age groups, NPL and SCCL:

NPL: The National Premier League Program is a regional 12U-19U league, created to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape by extending developmental principles espoused by U.S. Soccer into more age groups and clubs, by linking competition with player development and identification platforms, and by providing meaningful weekly competition for member clubs in a single NPL division culminating in the ENPL Finals. 

The league offers players the opportunity to compete against some of the most competitive clubs in the Southeast. The League sits above the regional SCCL league in terms of level of competitiveness of the teams. Players are selected through the same tryout process as the SCCL program.  

Participating Clubs:

Wake FC (NC), Triangle United (NC), Charlotte Independence (NC), Wake FC North (NC), Surf Soccer Club (SC), GPS Charleston (SC), AFC Lightning (GA), Vestavia Soccer Club (AL), SSA, UFA (GA), Tormenta FC (GA)

SCCL: The Southeastern Clubs Champions League is a regional league that, as of the Fall 2020 season, will comprise of four divisions in each 13U and older age group and gender. The league, of which SSA is a founding member, was formed in 2018 by clubs searching for a better way to offer youth soccer programming for the serious soccer player. Players are selected through the same tryout process as the NPL program.

Participating Clubs:

Ambush Soccer Club (GA), Atlanta Fire United (GA), Birmingham United (AL), Concorde Fire (GA), GSA (GA), NASA-TH (GA), Roswell Soccer Club (GA), SSA, Vestavia Hills (AL), UFA (GA), 

FAQs:

1. Who manages the NPL and SCCL leagues?

The NPL and SCCL Leagues are managed by US Club Soccer, a National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, that fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages.

Anchored by Players First and its five pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.

2. My child is in the 9U-12U Academy at the moment. How does the Select program compare?

The Academy program shares many similarities with the Select program in terms of practice schedules (number of practices, the duration of season, and the year-long commitment for those joining through the May/June tryouts). There are some differences though:

A. Rosters are much more 'concrete' at the 13U and above age groups, in that the majority of players are assigned to defined teams through club-wide open try-outs at a single location for the entire age group and those rosters remain the same through the entire year. While there is still some occasional movement (using the Club Pass system), it is not as commonplace as in Academy where a 'pool' roster (playing moving between teams) is much more typical. 
B. Coaches are assigned to teams and take their individual teams for all practices and games, which may not necessarily be the case in Academy especially if the player pool is large.
C. Given that NPL and SCCL are both regional leagues involving teams in neighboring states, an occasional overnight hotel stay will be required when playing out-of-state teams.

3. My child is on the Recreational Program. How does the Recreational Program compare with the Select program?

Aside the from the cost, the Recreational and Select Programs differ in the following ways:
A. NPL teams are coached by licensed and experienced staff coaches, while the typical Recreational team is often parent-coached.
B. The seasons are typically longer, starting in July and finishing in December in the fall, then starting up again for 13U and 14U teams in February before finishing in late May. 
C. Players have to attend a tryout to join a team and the commitment it a year-long one for those joining through May/June tryouts.
D. Select teams will typically attend additional pre- and post-season tournaments (at an additional cost), while Recreational teams may only play a regular-season schedule unless the coach decides otherwise.

4. How are players assigned to teams during try-outs?

Details will be announced in late April/early May regarding the dates, specific locations, and times for the Select team tryouts. SSA players, as well as players from other clubs are welcome to attend these tryouts if they are interested in playing on a Select team for their age group. 

5. Which location will my child's team practice and play out of?

The practice location for each team is generally based on the make-up of the roster in that the team will practice at the venue most local to the majority of the players on the roster.

Home games for the SSA teams assigned to the NPL League and to the highest 'club-based' division of the SCCL are expected to be played at the SSA Marietta location (Mud Creek/Marathon/Tramore) given that the intention is to have 'club vs club' fixtures where the SSA team in each 'Champions' division age group plays against the same opposing club at the same venue and on the same date as all the other 'Champions' division age groups in the gender.

Home games for teams in the SCCL 'Premier I', 'II', and 'III' divisions will be played as 'team vs team' fixtures at the same venue where each team practices.

6. My child is on a high school team. Is there a Spring season in Select? 

Not for the 16U and older age groups. For the 15U age group though, players will typically play a Spring 'friendly' season to allow for the birth-year split between middle-school 8th grade and 9th grade high-school players in the age group. Please contact the program director for details.

7. How much travel is required?

Given NPL and SCCL are regional leagues involving teams in neighboring states, an occasional overnight hotel stay may be required when playing out-of-state teams.

8. How do the NPL and SCCL leagues compare in competiveness?

The NPL League sits just above SCCL in terms of competitive level for SSA teams.

9. What is the program cost?

For a summary of the fees for all our programs, please click HERE.

If you have more questions, please click on 'Contacts' and select 'Program Director' to bring up email and telephone contact information for the appropriate age group director.