ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Smyrna Soccer Club Academy program is designed to develop players (U9-U12) in a more structured and professional environment to give them the technical skills to prepare them for higher level competitive programs. This is a key age in any players development the techniques and habits (good or bad) are often formed in this age group and thus are hard to improve or change once learned. With this we have Smyrna SC top professional coaches assigned to our Academy Program as we focus on the technical development of each player.
The Academy Program is dedicated to 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old players who have a shown a desire and love for the game. Naturally many of our Academy Players have graduated from our PDP Program but some do enter this program through the tryout process at the start of each season. As it is such a key stage of every players developments wins and losses are not recorded instead an emphasis on technical development and good habits is installed in all our players. There will be mistakes and it will cost us goals but the ultimate goal of our program is to learn from these mistakes, get better and be more comfortable in possession so that as we get older we can succeed at the highest level.
This year there will be over 100 players participating in our Academy Program. All our teams will practice a least twice a week with the Academy typically playing games on Saturdays during the season against Academy teams from other clubs in Metro Atlanta. A balance of home and away matches are played. Most teams will play two matches on game day.
Our Academy Program is designed to focus on the individual development of each and every participating player. Training twice a week with team of professional coaches, Smyrna SC will provide a positive learning environment that will challenge your player(s) to become better. With this, our Academy Program is for the talented and dedicated soccer player(s). All our Academy players are identified though an assessment at the start of each season, graduation from our PDP Program or through our Scouting Network that identifies players from within our Recreational Program.
Our PDP Program is available to players aged 8 - 12 years old and is an annual commitment so Fall and Spring seasons.
| PROGRAM TYPE |
LEVEL |
TRAINING |
COST |
| ACADEMY |
Beginner - Intermediate |
2 nights per week |
$730 |
* PLEASE NOTE: This includes GYSA Registration and Player Passes, Training Fees, Coaching Fees.
This does NOT include Player / Coach Expenses, Tournament Fees, Team Camp or Player Uniforms.
Our Academy Coaches are some of the finest in the club. As teachers of the game first, they also have experience working with younger children and are US Youth Soccer licensed. They understand what players need to learn at this age and also ways to motivate younger children.
If you have any questions regarding our Academy Program or have any coaching concerns please contact:
| NAME |
POSITION |
CONTACT INFO |
| Bryan Waltenberg |
Executive Director of Coaching |
EMAIL |
All our Academy teams will practice two nights per week with their coach and team in addition to a 3rd night of the Smyrna SC "Skills School". These practices will follow the Smyrna SC Academy Curriculum that has been designed by our own professional coaching staff to create the "total soccer player". Bringing together a mass of drills from the world's top youth academies we structure our practice sessions to align with both Georgia Youth Soccer Association and US Youth Soccer guidelines.
You can also expect our training sessions to:
- Maintain a low player to coach ratio,
- Maximize the time your player has with a ball,
- Maximize the repetitions and touches on the ball,
- Focus on individual techniques and fundamental skills,
- Encourage creativity and experimentation.
Our Academy Program will train twice a week with an third "Skills School" session for those that chose. *** IMPORTANT: "Skills School" and ALL Goalkeeping Training does not begin till the week of February 15th. ***
Please click here to see the latest Practice Grids
If you have any questions in the meantime please contact your coaching staff.
The highlight of any soccer player is the games. In Academy this is every players first experience of playing regularly against teams from other clubs. The Academy mainly plays on Saturdays against a other GYSA Affiliated Clubs. With a mixture of home and away ties, 90% of our games will be played within Metro Atlanta and within a 45 minute drive of our fields.
Wins and results are not recorded at this age as we continue to follow the GYSA and US Youth Soccer Manual and focus on the development of our players. By not recording any results players have the freedom to be creative and experiment their newly learned skills whilst coaches and parents should encourage these skills and good habits.
During the season we would expect your child to play between 10 - 16 games.
Please click here to view the Game Schedule
* PLEASE NOTE Each game will be reconfirmed with the opposing club 10 days prior to the game. There maybe some changes and we appreciate your flexibility if such cases do occur.