Academy Program (Boys 7U-12U and Girls 7U-12U)

The Swansboro Soccer Association (SSA) Youth Academy mission is to develop the heart, mind, and body of our young athletes by developing their individual skills and knowledge with a dedicated and supportive staff that models what they teach/coach. The Youth Academy Staff is fully committed to the development of our player’s love for the game and fundamental skill development as a player as well as skills on how to succeed in the game of life.

What is the NCYSA/SSA Youth Academy?
The Youth Academy is “strictly” a Player Development Program which seeks to improve individual player skills, satisfaction and retention, and to build a less pressured and fun youth soccer environment for coaches, adult spectators, and match officials. The SSA Youth Academies are designed to teach the individual fundamental skills which are absolutely necessary to fully enjoy and compete in the sport of soccer. These skills are best learned by providing clear examples through repetition, proper guidance/instruction and applying the self-discovery approach/method.

The Academy serves as an instructional program for players boys and girls ages 7U through 12U who are seeking a more structured environment than Recreational Soccer, but may not be ready for the competition, travel, and cost of associated with the Classic Soccer Program. The Youth Academy consist of player pools in 3-4 different training groups depending on the number of participants, their skill level or age of those participants. The player pools and/or training groups will be divided into teams for play during each Festival weekend. Academy pool teams have the liberty of adjusting (up or down) their rosters as needed at each festival to ensure the proper level of competition is always achieved.

The Youth Academy is designed to remove the results oriented, "must win at all cost" mentality associated with youth soccer and sports in general. All Academy Festivals will be played without published or recorded scoring and equal playing time is guaranteed for all participants who attend training on a regular basis and maintain a good attitude and attendance throughout their tenure.

All Academy Coaches are required to hold a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) age appropriate coaching qualifications/licenses that provide the knowledge and understanding of how children learn at different ages, stages, and curriculum's that are developmentally appropriate for all children. The Academy Coaching Staff is specially selected and trained to provide introduction to select soccer players in an environment conducive to learning and having FUN! All Academy Coaches all hold either National or Regional Licenses.

Players interested in the Academy Program must participate in an Open Academy Player Assessment. Open assessments usually occur at the end of each Season (May and November time frame). This is not a "tryout" process resulting in a player being cut; rather, it is an opportunity for players, parents, and coaches to assess the suitability of the program to the player's stage of development and to determine if Academy placement is suitable.  This program requires a year (June-Feb Fall/Spring) round commitment and does have a financial cost (Club Fees/Team Fees).

Uniform Costs (not included in registration cost) are estimated at $125.00 +Tax and Shipping.  All SSA Players will be required to purchase an official SSA uniform. Uniforms will be obtained/ purchased through soccer.com.  You will receive an email from soccer.com when your uniform is ready to be ordered.  Jersey Numbers will be selected during your registration process.  Please ensure that you select Jersey number for your player and an alternate number during the registration process.  SSA has the ultimate call on Jersey Numbers.

Forms/Info
Academy Financial Contract-  ssa academy financial contract.pdf
Academy Financial Obligation Worksheet-  ssa academy financial obligation worksheet.pdf
SSA Academy Welcome Package Fall 2016-  ssa soccer academy welcome package.pdf

Rules
Academy Rules-  academyrules.pdf
Code of Conduct-  code of conduct.pdf

Other Information
NCYSA Academy Parent Guide-  ncysa academy_parent_guide.pdf
Why Small-Sided Games-  why small-sided games.pdf
Insurance Information-  https://www.ncsoccer.org/insurance