U8-U12 academy PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

The SSA Academy Program is for players looking for a high-quality training and playing environment under the supervision of experienced and qualified staff where an enthusiasm for, and a commitment to, the game is nurtured and rewarded. Players typically go through a 'tryout' assessment in late May for the entire year or in Dec or Jan for just the Spring season, though players may join at other times of the year if space is available. The program is generally regarded as the starting point for players interested in moving into our Competitive (Select) program teams and playing HS and College soccer in the future. At the U11 and U12 age groups, players are eligible to tryout for clubwide teams that participate in a U11/U12 version of the SCCL State League. 

FAQs

1. My child is on the Rec program, how does Academy compare with respect to schedule and costs?

Academy soccer requires both a greater time commitment and a greater financial commitment compared with Rec soccer. The Academy Program is a year-long commitment (Fall and Spring seasons with a short winter break in December and January) for players joining in the summer tryout period. The season typically starts earlier than Rec and finishes later than Rec, with an Academy player usually playing between 12 and 16 games per season compared with 8 or 9 for the typical Recreational player, as well as being able to attend optional pre- and post-season tournaments (mostly in the Atlanta area but occasionally out-of-state). Players will typically have two team practices a week, plus the opportunity to attend extra skills sessions each week to accelerate their development. With respect the costs, the greater financial commitment is partly a reflection of the fact that Academy coaches are professional, licensed, staff rather than parent/volunteer coaches.

2. How are players assigned to teams?

Players are initially accepted into each Academy age group pool (U8, U9, U10, U11, U12) through a tryout/assessment process at the end of the Spring season/start of the fall season. For dates and times for these tryouts, please click HERE. Once accepted into the pool, a player is then assigned to a team roster on week-to-week basis to play against other metro Atlanta clubs on a Saturday during the regular season along with some occasional Sunday afternoon games. This process typically reflects a 'level-to-level' schedule whereby SSA's teams are ranked and then play against similarly ranked teams from the opposing club. Players are usually assigned to teams based on their level of competitiveness relative to all the players in their pool, but this may be adjusted week-to-week depending on the program director's developmental objectives both for the player and for the program. 

3. Are standings kept?

No, standings are not kept. While individual Academy games are competitive, the focus on development means that there isn't a record of games kept and there are no league standings published.
 

4. What are my options if we're out-of-town for tryouts?

If your child will be out of town and unable to attend tryouts, please go ahead and register him/her, then reach out to the program director directly using the information HERE to see if a separate tryout could be scheduled.

5. What is the calendar of practices and games?

Fall season practices usually begin at the end of July, and continue through the first week in December. Games start with pre-season tournaments (at an additional cost) in mid-to-late August, continuing through the start of the regular season in early September with Saturday and some Sunday afternoon games against other metro Atlanta clubs. The regular season ends around mid-November, with the last of the post-season tournaments talking place the first weekend in December. Spring practices start up around the end of January, and continue through mid-May.. Games start with pre-season tournaments (at an additional cost) in mid-to-late February, continuing through the start of the regular season in early March. The regular season ends around mid-May, with the last of the post-season tournaments talking place the weekend of Memorial Day. 

6. Can I request a particular team for car-pooling purposes?

No, but academy programs typically practice as a pool, so it's usually the case that everyone practices together at the same venue and at the same time. For games though, players are assigned based on their level of competitiveness, so it's usually the case that players assigned to the 'A' team do not play at the same time as the 'B', 'C' teams etc.

For more information, please click HERE to view our 'Academy Handbook' or contact the appropriate Academy Director listed below.

JOINING THE PROGRAM

SSA hosts a variety of ID Clinics and tryout events through the course of the year. For more information, please click HERE.

program directors

FEES

GAME SCHEDULE