The Academy serves as an instructional program for players ages 7U through 10U. The Youth Academy consists of player pools in 3-4 different training groups depending on the number of participants, their skill level, or the 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.

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).

*If this is your first time playing a sport through SSA, you are required to turn in a copy of the participant’s Birth Certificate. We highly encourage that you upload a copy to your player's profile by logging in to your account, selecting your player's profile, scrolling down to "Upload Birth Certificate" and clicking the button

Below you will find bios of the coaches who will be at the tryouts:

1. Matheu Dustin Becker, "Dusty"

Dusty started his soccer career with Swansboro in the youth division in 1989. Dusty entered into the realm of officiating soccer in 1996 which is where he flourished.

Dusty has continued to play the game and officiate, to always be a student of the game. Over the past 28 years Dusty has been selected as part of a group of elite youth officials to attend prestigious tournaments out of state. Further Dusty was selected several times to represent North Carolina in the annual youth regional tournament in North Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. On the collegiate level, Dusty has experienced high levels of play from being on the ACC assignment list and selected for several NCAA tournament assignments. Over his officiating tenure he has also fulfilled assignments at the professional levels.

After getting more and more involved in coaching at the grassroots level of the players, Dusty’s leadership has produced additional coaches for the program. Those that know Dusty know that he strives for progression and achieves his goals while not losing the fun of it all. His leadership on and off the field brings great confidence that the Swansboro Academy program will be growing in the most beneficial direction, the progression and development of the children in a safe and fun environment. Dusty also coaches in the classic program and currently holds a D license.

2.      Zack Cowan

 

He has lived in Swansboro for his entire life and has also played soccer since he was about 4 years old. Zack is part of a whole soccer family that has shaped his love for the game. Zac is a 3rd generation Swansboro High school Student where he played all 4 years of soccer at Swansboro high. His senior year he was an all-conference and all-region goalkeeper. Zack was 2nd in saves in the area. He has been around the game his whole life and he also runs the adult league in Swansboro. He is still playing goalkeeper to this day. He is eager to teach young goalkeepers not just about playing goalie but about the greatest game in the world.

3.      Ben Rupert

 

Ben has had the privilege of coaching his children for the past 10 years. He has been a part of SSA for 3 years, including Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Board Member. He is a dad to Ansley (SSA Academy) and Emma (OCSA & SHS Varsity). Ben has coached in various capacities in the Raleigh area and now here at Swansboro. He currently holds a Grassroots license and is going for his Class D license. In addition to coaching, he holds a license with the NCSRC. His goal is to make sure the players are learning soccer while having fun. He is looking forward to meeting everyone and for our team to have a fun season!

4. Lauran Becker

Lauran has been a longtime student of the game and a native to the area. Lauran's level of play rendered her many championships, awards, and even offered her the opportunity to play internationally for two consecutive years. Lauran was scholarshipped to play collegiately with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Lauran now takes pride in sharing her knowledge and experience to our youth to help them develop to their fullest potential while she is in progress of obtaining her grassroots coaching licenses.