When are assessments?
Assessments dates are usually held in late November & May and several dates throughout the summer. Assessment information and online registration will be available on the Thunder website prior to the published tryout dates.
Supplemental assessments or evaluations can be scheduled throughout the year for any player who is not registered in another club’s Academy program, all registered recreational players, or any unregistered players.
Who is eligible?
The junior academy program is open to all boys and girls born in 2016, 2015, 2014.
When and where are the training sessions?
Junior Academy teams train 2 times a week on Monday and Wednesday at Auburn Thunder Soccer Complex in Auburn, Alabama
Training days:
Monday and Wednesday:
Times:
U6/U7 Boys & Girls: 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
U8 Boys & Girls : 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Spring Season: Begins February 1
Fall Season : Begins August 1
When and where are the games?
Our Junior Academy Boys and Girls teams will play both 4v4 & 7v7 format. All teams will play a mixture of games against Thunder recreational program teams, in-house scrimmages, and other Junior Academy programs in the Auburn area.
Games are typically held on Saturdays and Sundays during the Fall season from early September through mid-November and the Spring season from early March to mid-May. Generally teams play one game per week, although occasionally players may be asked to play twice at the same location.
In addition to regular season games, Junior Academy teams will participate in 1-2 local tournaments per year.
What is the difference between Recreation and Academy Thunder Soccer?
Deciding whether or not your child should play recreational soccer or competitive (“academy/select”) soccer is often a daunting task for parents not familiar with the world of competitive sports. The primary deciding factor that parents should consider when making the academy verses recreation decision is whether or not one wishes to accelerate a child’s soccer development in a professionally guided training environment.
In recreational soccer, the focus is most often on social interaction, “having fun” with friends, which often comes at the expense of instruction. In academy soccer, the focus in on teaching in an enjoyable manner that is appropriate for the child’s age level. Individual skills and team tactics are taught by high-level, professional coaches in order to more fully develop the child’s level of play. When it comes to playing at an academy level, the end result is young athletes that know how to play soccer at a much higher level than their corresponding recreational players.
What are the differences between Academy Thunder coaches and Recreational coaches?
Academy soccer differs from recreational soccer in several ways, but the primary difference is in the level of coaching provided. Coaching is like teaching – it requires extensive knowledge of the subject and the ability to communicate that knowledge to young athletes. In recreational soccer, the coach is typically a noble parent with little or no competitive or high level soccer experience. Unlike recreation soccer, Academy coaches are experts in their field, skilled communicators and teachers, and are paid a professional salary.
Academy coaches are expected to create a community of players that supports the alignment of individual and team improvement by implementing club standards of play that are developmentally appropriate by age. This requires continuous evaluation as well as a clear structure that is communicated effectively to the players and parents.
Age Group Details & Cost
Spring 2022:
U6 (Born 2017) fee $275 OR 2 x 137.50
(60 min training) (includes one tournament) (includes Home & Away Jerseys) (Players provide their own black shorts & socks)
U7 (Born 2016) fee $335 OR 2 x 167.50
(75 min training) (includes one tournament) (includes Home & Away Jerseys) (Players provide their own black shorts & socks)
U8 (Born 2015) fee $435 OR 2 x $217.50
(90 min training) (includes one tournament) (includes Home & Away Jerseys) (Players provide their own black shorts & socks)
If you have any further questions please contact :
Junior Academy Director Aldin Zmajevac | [email protected] | 678-327-3619
BE BOLD | BE STRONG | BE THUNDER