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SSA Cartersville Soccer

SSA Cartersville Soccer

Select Overview

The Select Program represents the highest level of competitive club soccer available within the state of GA to players in the 13U age group and above. Southern Soccer Academy's Select teams compete in either the GYSA statewide divisions - Athena for girl's teams and Classic for boy's teams - or in the case of exceptionally competitive teams at the 13U age group and above, the Southeastern Club Champions League and the National Premier League.  It is Southern Soccer Academy’s intention to offer select players the opportunity to compete at the highest level possible.  We believe in creating an environment that is challenging, both technically and tactically, and that stimulates the players to reach their highest potential and personal goals.

Open try-outs for the Select age groups are scheduled (as per GSSA rules) in late May and early June with players being assigned to teams based on factors including location and level of competitiveness. For more information on the try-out schedule, click on 'Programs/Try-Outs'. If you are looking to join the program outside of the open try-outs period, please click here. For information on fees, click  HERE

FAQs:

1. My child is in the 12U Academy at the moment. How does the 13U Select program compare?

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

A. Rosters are much more 'concrete' at 13U and above, 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 'pool' rostering 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. Different teams at the same location may not necessarily have the same practice schedule, unlike Academy where it's typical for all age group players to all practice at the same time and on the same field. Practice schedules are now set by individual coaches based on individual factors.
D. Game Schedules are set by the state and are created for each individual team, rather than the typical 'club-vs-club' fixture in the Academy program.

2. 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. Select 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 is year-long for those players joining through the 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.

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

In the Select age groups, try-outs for all players regardless of their SSA location take place at the same place to give all the age group coaches the opportunity to observe all players together. Players are then assigned to teams taking their playing level and geographic location into account.  

4. How are teams assigned to divisions?

As the try-out process nears completion, clubs 'declare' teams to Georgia Soccer, the governing body for soccer in the state, in the process requesting a particular level of play (Athena A - D levels for girls, Classic 1 - 4 for boys) based on the perceived competitiveness of the individual team itself. This information goes to age-group coordinators at the state who then compile divisions by assigning teams based (though not always guaranteed) on this information.  


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

Contact

Southern Soccer Academy Cartersville
SSA Main Office 40 Whitlock Place, 200
Marietta, Georgia 30064

Phone: 678-594-5041
Email: [email protected]

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