Welcome to the 2011-'12 season. The program is managed by Jeff Phillips. MORE.
What is Academy Soccer?
GUSC’s Academy program is designed to teach the fundamentals of soccer which are absolutely necessary to fully enjoy and compete in "the beautiful game." These skills are best learned by providing clear examples and repetitions, which require proper instruction to master the skills.
The program will serve as an instructional program for players ages 8-10 who are seeking a more structured environment and a higher level, but may not be ready for competition, travel and the cost of Challenge and Classic level. Our Academy will consist of player pools in two different age groups -- under 10 and under 9, each consisting of around 16 to 20 players. These pools are divided into teams for game days and festivals. The pool teams can interchange their roster from game to game and week to week. Each age group will have a licensed professional instructor/coach who will run the training sessions and attend the games scheduled for each Academy pool. All Academy training sessions will focus on the technical and fundamental skills needed as well as a strong emphasis on 1 v 1 and small-sided games.
What is the Academy mission?
To develop the heart, mind and body of our young athletes by developing their skills and knowledge with professional coaches that model what they teach. Our coaches teach players to understand how to succeed in the game of soccer as well as in life.
What kind of training and game schedule will we follow in the Academy?
The Academy pools will train/practice two times a week -- on Tuesdays and Thursdays -- beginning in mid-August and ending in early November for the fall. The spring season begins in February and goes through the end of May. Academy teams will participate in Academy days (Saturday or Sunday) throughout the season with other participating clubs or internally within our own club.
Is there travel with the Academy program?
For the most part, there is not much travel for the Academy. One or two times a month, our Academy may play an Academy club from another city, which may require travel to the Charlotte/Huntersville/Lake Norman/or Hickory area. The majority of our Academy games will be played at Martha Rivers Park in Gastonia or George Poston Park in Lowell. One or two times a season we will take our Academy to another club outside a 50-mile radius to give our players some exposure. These are known as Academy Festivals. We may go to Greenville, S.C., where Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) is based. We may determine that the Academy play in one elimination tournament each season, which may require one overnight hotel stay. No other games will require the Academy to stay overnight.
What does it cost to participate in the GUSC Academy?
The cost of the program is $450 for the Fall and the Spring. The total annual fee of $450 covers the training dues, field rental, equipment cost and administration fees. (Check out our fee schedule.) GUSC has developed its Academy program to provide quality instruction by nationally licensed professional coaches at a very reasonable costs. We want to provide the best value for soccer in the area. Our Academy program consist of an 8-month commitment by the family of each player. This 8-month commitment is divided into 2 four-month seasons: Fall 2011 and Spring 2012.
Are referees paid?
Referees are paid on a cash basis at the field; referee fees are not included in the overall fees. The team manager or coach will collect those fees at the fields before the matches. Tournaments are a separate fee as well; tournament and referee fees are collected in the same manner.
Are Academy players allowed to play on a Recreational, Challenge or Classic team?
No. The Academy program, whether state sanctioned or not, is designed to remove the win-at-all-cost mentality associated with youth soccer. Academy games and festivals will be played without published or recorded scoring and playing time is guaranteed for all players who attend training on a regular basis and maintain a great attitude. Therefore, Academy players cannot participate in other leagues as we feel that would be contrary to the ideology of the Academy philosophy. GUSC will, however, provide Challenge and Classic teams in the respective U10 and U11 age groups to give players and their families a choice. From time to time, an Academy player may be asked to play as a guest player with another GUSC team. Guest playing will also be allowed with the permission of the GUSC Academy Director.
In the event that there are not enough players in certain age groups to field a sufficient player pool, we will consider joining two age groups together. For example, if there are 9 players to field a U9 Academy pool and 18 players in the U10 Academy pool, we will combine the two groups into an Academy pool of 27 players, which will play in the U10 Academy. The U10 Academy would then form three pools of teams for any given game day or festival.
Is there a code of conduct for players?
Yes. All player are expected to be on time to practices and games. All players are expected to have and maintain a positive attitude -- whether we are winning or losing. All players are expected to serve as an example to their teammates. Are players are expected to give 100 percent, and give their opponents respect.
If we have questions or concerns, who do we contact?
Feel free to contact your coach if you have any concerns. Jeff Phillips, who oversees GUSC’s Academy program, is also reachable at 704-560-0885 or at guscrecreationsoccer@gmail.com.
See you on the pitch!
