CLUB

Club Program Overview

The focus of the Club program is the same as our Academy program - individual technical development. This will be reinforced by focusing on how the individual player fits into the team environment. All Club teams practice at least twice per week and will be trained by professional club coaches to provide the players with the best foundation of skills, abilities, and knowledge of the game.

Players must try out for the Club program, with no guarantee of acceptance. We do aim to provide every player the opportunity to play competitive soccer, but this is not always possible. In age groups with multiple teams, players are grouped according to skill level. This ensures consistent development for each player, because playing with/against similarly skilled players at this age is important. As much as possible, games for each team are scheduled against opponents with similar skill/ability levels.

Quick Facts:

Offered to boys and girls 8U-12U. Fall and Spring season (Aug - May; team placement offers go out Mid-June)
Players are selected through a tryout process at the end of May.
Pool system training
Teams are led by professionally licensed coaches.
9U-12U: practice two times per week with games on the weekend.
Attend two tournaments per year, one during Fall season and one during Spring season.

Club Pool System

The Club pool is a part of the Academy Program. Led by licensed coaches, the program follows the same development curriculum as the Academy teams. Players will compete in Academy-level games versus other clubs in Atlanta, and will receive evaluations at the end of each season. The Club pool for each age group has no set limit. Some age groups have more players than others. Each age group has their own Club pool.

Game Scheduling. Every Club player will be scheduled to play a game every weekend, approximately 12 games per season for each team. Every Club player will also have the opportunity to participate in two tournaments during the year. Team rosters are assigned on a four-week cycle. Rosters will be adjusted every cycle based on player development.

Game locations. Most home games will be played at Arizona Ave Fields, other locations will be utilized during the season as well. Away games will take place at opponents' locations. Expect to play clubs like SSA, Concorde, TYSA, NASA Tophat, Atlanta Fire, DDY, etc, some of these clubs use the player pool format for their entire programs.

Practice times/locations. For 2015 and 2014 teams, practices will be approximately 4:30-5:45pm. For 2013 and 2012, practices will be approximately 5:45-7:00pm. Club teams practice two days a week and all players are eligible to attend Friday Skills Training at AZ Ave Fields on Fridays at 4:30-5:45pm. Club players are also eligible to attend IAFC Goalkeeper training sessions.