What: A 7-week, recreational soccer program for children with a birth year of 2017 - 2014. Academy is fun, low-pressure, and co-ed. The goal is to teach players individual skills and introduce them to team-oriented play. Academy will further their confidence and ability to excel at soccer.
Where: All games and practices are held on the Thorpe Multipurpose Field.
Cost: $135 for a 7-week season. Early bird registration fee of $110 ends on August 1st. This cost includes an Academy jersey. *Need-based scholarships are available for qualifying families.
​Player Requirements: There is no skill or experience requirement to participate in Academy. All you need is a ball, shin guards, soccer socks, athletic shoes (preferably soccer cleats), and a ready-to-play attitude!
The Academy develops well-balanced and technical soccer players in an environment that is challenging, fun, and focused on the long-term development of the individual soccer player.
The Academy allows players an opportunity to develop and strengthen skills under the guidance of trained youth soccer coaches, without the added financial expense, time commitment, or competitive pressure of our Flagstaff United program. If you want the fun, affordability, and convenience of local recreational soccer, but with the professional coaching structure and support of our competitive program, the Academy will be a good fit for your young soccer player and your family.
Academy games are played in a 7v7 format with build out lines and institution of the offside law. It's the next step towards learning to play the game on a bigger scale. Academy is a natural transition for former Micro Soccer players to advance their game.
Seasons
Academy is offered three times a year - fall, spring, and summer seasons.
Age Groups
Players are divided into teams according to their age.
Team Composition
Each team has a roster of about 10 players. The teams are co-ed (i.e. both boys and girls on the same team). Teams are coached by a parent coach.
Coaches
All Academy teams are coached by parents or other volunteers. Please consider becoming the coach for your child’s team this season. Previous experience as a coach or player is not necessary and the Academy program provides training resources for you. We hold a 1-hour Academy Coaches Clinic before every season. As an option to you, the USSF offers an on-line 7v7 Grassroots Coaching Licensure. Fees for this coach training opportunities are paid for by the Flagstaff Soccer Club, at any time before or during the season. All coaches (and assistant coaches) must complete a free background check from Arizona Youth Soccer Association prior to Opening Day.
In addition to instruction from your child's team coach, every player is invited to attend a once-a-week Skills Session. Here they will get professional training and inspiration from experts in soccer development.
Practices
Practices will begin the prior to the first game. Each team will practice once per week and all players will attend a Skills Session on Mondays. Skills time is posted on the Academy specific season page. All team practices are 5:15-6:15 on the Thorpe Multipurpose Field located at 1000 N. Thorpe Road.
Games
All games will be held on Sundays at the Thorpe Multipurpose Field located at 1000 N. Thorpe Road. Teams play a 7v7 format game with goalkeepers for 50 minutes (two 25-minute halves).
Tournaments
Each season, older members of our Academy program will have an opportunity to play in a local Flagstaff Soccer Club tournament against other out-of-town clubs (United Cup in September and Northern Arizona Invitational in May). This gives players the opportunity to play against new opponents and test their growth! Academy members who participate in these tournaments will not necessarily play with the same Academy team they play with regularly. We may blend or split Academy teams accordingly to offer the best tournament experience.
Academy is part of Flagstaff Soccer Club - the premier soccer development and experience in Flagstaff. If you want to explore more information about Academy: Click here to read details about this season's program, choose another topic from the "ACADEMY" main menu at the top of the page, or feel free to e-mail the Academy Director with any questions that you may have.