Academy level soccer in Georgia is
considered to be one step up from recreational level soccer and provides a good
introduction to the player and family commitment required by Select soccer.
Our Academy program is designed to develop players (9U-12U) in a
more structured and professional environment to give them the technical and
tactical skills to prepare them for higher level competitive programs. Our aim
is to develop individual players for the long term and not compromise for
victories in the short term. For example, some coaches (and a great many parents)
encourage younger players to play a long ball game because they are
uncomfortable with their players under pressure at their own end of the field.
This "long ball" philosophy is counterproductive to long term development. At Rush Union Soccer we allow our players to play from the back in order to keep possession.
They will occasionally give up the ball and more goals may be scored on them in
the short term, but they will be comfortable with the ball and technically more
competent in the long term. Soccer is a game of mistakes; we will allow our
players to make them and learn from them. This is a vital part of development.
All players are encouraged to practice at least two nights per week and are offered a third night of speed and agility training. The Academy typically plays matches
on Saturdays and some Sundays during each season against Academy teams from other clubs in Metro
Atlanta. A balance of home and away matches is played.
Academy coaches specialize in developing the
youngest players and sharing their love of the game. All head coaches hold youth
coaching licenses and are compensated by Rush Union.
Rush Union Soccer strongly believes that the Academy Program is the
best development option for children leaving recreational level programs. The
training program is unmatched for preparing the youth player for higher level
competitive programs.
Fees for the Academy Program are similar to those
for a Select program, and they reflect the higher level of commitment, training,
and coaching provided to these promising players. The Rush Union fees include
registration, coaching fees, athletic training fee, referee fees and field usage.
Players must also pay team fees in the spring and fall, which include variable
team-specific costs such as tournament fees and travel reimbursements for the coach. Uniform costs are NOT included in fees.