MVSC U9 ACADEMIES 2007

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This past year, MVSC piloted a new developmental soccer program for U9 players.  The U9 Soccer “Academy” was an MVSC in-house program that provided young players high quality training and an expanded playing schedule without the same cost and travel commitments associated with our Competitive Program.  The program was designed for kids who love soccer, and who were committed to developing their talents in both the spring and fall.

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from last year’s participants, and while last year’s Academy program was a huge success overall, we hope to make the program even better for the coming year’s participants.  As such, we have amended the program in several respects, and are pleased to announce our 2007 U9 Academy.

Background

Many experts refer to the U9 age as the beginning of the “Golden Age” of learning.  An ideal U9 training environment will include strong technical (skill-based) training, free play, and an emphasis on development and fun over winning.  Players who acquire proper technique during their younger years will benefit greatly in the short-term and long-term, greatly accelerating their learning curve as their game develops.  MVSC’s Competitive Program first form teams at the U10 age group.  Only exceptionally talented U9 players are allowed to “play up” on U10 Competitive teams.  As such, the Academy is an excellent opportunity for players to benefit from professional coaching and a strong technical curriculum prior to becoming old enough to play in our competitive program.  For the athletes in Mill Valley who LOVE to play soccer, and are seeking a structured, developmental opportunity that extends beyond the two months of the fall Recreational season, the MVSC Academy may be your child’s ticket to a better soccer game.

Spring Academy

The first session of the Academy will take place from mid-March through late May (official schedule, cost, and more program details are provided at the bottom of this announcement).  The Spring Academy is open to all interested rising U9 players (players whose birthdate falls between August 1, 1998 and July 31, 1999).  There will not be any formal tryouts.  A limited number of rising U8 players (born after August 1, 1999)will be permitted to join the U9 Spring Academy, as determined by an open tryout held on March 17 and 18; please click the following link for details:  http://www.mvsc.org/U8_academies.htm ).  Spring Academy participants will have the option of signing up for one or two days of regular weekly training.  Your child will be trained by some of the strongest skill-development coaches in our Competitive Program.  Academy training sessions will focus heavily on skill acquisition and technical mastery.  As such, this program is intended for players who are mentally and emotionally ready to benefit from structured technical training.  Although every practice will include small-sided games and free play, the program’s emphasis on technical mastery renders the program appropriate only for soccer players who are eager and ready to focus on skill-building exercises.  To be clear, the player who only wishes to scrimmage may not be ready to benefit from the Academy experience.

Fall Academy

Participation in our Fall Academy will be by invitation only.  At the end of our Spring Academy, our Academy Coaching Staff will guide each child toward the fall program most appropriate for him or her (i.e., Recreational or Fall Academy).  Some players will be encouraged to play in our U9 Fall Recreational leagues, while others will be invited to participate in the Fall Academy program.  The primary criteria for receiving an invitation to the Fall Academy program will be the demonstration of a strong commitment to attending spring training (minimum once/week), AND the demonstration of focus, discipline, effort, and eagerness to benefit from our structured training curriculum.  (Our objective in this selection process is straightforward:  our experience working with young players has shown us that whereas some children are ready to thrive in a structured skill development environment, others still need a year or two of a less-structured, free play environment to maximize their motivation).  Our Spring Academy will allow ample time for each child to be evaluated and directed toward the program best suited for his or her individual developmental needs.

Players who receive invitations to join the Fall Academy will not be obligated to accept, and may choose to play in our Fall Recreational Program instead.  Players who are not invited to participate in the Fall Academy will automatically be registered in our Fall Recreational Program.  The Fall Academy will be similar in most respects to that offered during the spring.  However, participation in two (rather than one) weekly training sessions will be mandatory during the fall.  In addition, our Fall Academy players will participate in weekend competitions.

If you have additional questions, please contact Rick Fullerton, MVSC’s Director of Player Development (rickfullerton@sbcglobal.net).

MVSC’s Spring 2007 U9 Soccer Academy Details and Registration

WHAT?  MVSC is pleased to announce our new U9 Soccer Academy.  Our Spring Academy is intended to provide our soccer players with a fun, developmental training opportunity during the spring off season.  The Spring Academy will emphasize individual skill development, as well as technical, tactical, and fitness-related components of play in small-sided games formats (1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, 3 vs. 3, 4 vs. 4).  Our Academy training program will be an excellent means for players to improve their soccer abilities in conjunction with their participation with other spring sports.  At the end of the Spring Academy Program, some participants will be invited to participate in a special Fall U9 Academy Program (please visit www.mvsc.org for details).

WHO CAN JOIN?  The Spring U9 Academy is open to ALL players born between August 1, 1998 and July 31, 1999.  A limited number of players born after July 31, 1999 (“play ups”) will also be permitted to join the Spring Academy.  Spring Academy play-ups will be selected through a tryout process on March 17 and 18 (see www.mvsc.org for tryout details).

WHEN and WHERE?   The Academy program will begin the week of Monday, March 19 and the final training session will take place on Thursday, May 24.  There will be no training sessions during the week of April 9-12. 

Weekday Training: 

U9 Academy Boys sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3:30-5:00 pm at Hauke South.

U9 Academy Girls sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3:30-5:00 pm at Bayfront Passive Field.

Weekend Games:

In addition to weekday skills training, our U9 Academy will provide our participants with weekend 4 vs. 4 GAME DAYS during the spring.  Please note, while we expect EVERY Academy participant to attend at least one weekday training each week, the weekend games will all be “non-mandatory” and optional.  MVSC has reserved Bayfront Park for our U9 Academy Program from 12:00-1:30pm on the following Sundays:  March 25, April 1, 15, 22, 29, May 6 and May 20.  On each game day, we will create a number of small fields, and our participants will play in small-sided 4 vs. 4 games for the duration of the session.  We will not have regular teams for these weekend play days.  Instead, we will create different teams each day with the pool of players that attends (we will expect to have different turnouts each weekend).  Coaching will be kept to a minimum on weekends, as our intention is to let the players enjoy and learn from the game (The best teacher of the game is the game itself!).  One professional coach will be in attendance each Sunday to facilitate game organization.  We will need parent volunteers each Sunday to assist us in managing our competitions.  If you are interested in helping out, please contact Rick Fullerton (rickfullerton@sbcglobal.net). 

In the event of significant rainfall, please call 383-7818 after 2:30pm on the day of training to determine if the field is open.  In the event of field closure, weekday training will take place on the Mill Valley Middle School blacktop (please make sure the kids bring tennis shoes or flat-soled soccer shoes!).  If the field is closed on a Sunday, weekend games will be canceled.

WHO COACHES?  Our U9 Academy Program will be staffed by some of the top professional coaches on MVSC’s Competitive Coaching Staff.  In addition, we will be soliciting help from volunteer U9 players’ parents to assist us at the training sessions.  Our use of parent volunteers enables us to keep costs down for participants.  Parent Volunteers will be asked to do very little coaching.  Rather, our volunteers will assist us in the organization and management of our training sessions.  If you are interested in volunteering as an assistant, please contact Rick Fullerton (rickfullerton@sbcglobal.net).

HOW MUCH?  $275 for 18 weekday training sessions (2 days per week), PLUS 7 weekend game days. 

OR $180 for 9 weekday training sessions (one day per week) PLUS 7 weekend game days.  

Checks should be made payable to “MVSC.”

WHAT TO BRING?  Participants should bring a soccer ball, water bottle, cleats, shin guards, and an open and eager attitude to improve!

HOW DO I REGISTER?  To register, please complete and mail the form below along with payment (payable to MVSC) to:

MVSC U9 Spring Academy,  P.O. Box 138  Mill Valley, CA 94942

Number of Weekly Training Sessions:  9 ___   or 18 ___  (weekend game days are included with both options)

Day(s) attending:  Mondays (boys) ___ Tuesdays (girls) ___  Wednesdays (boys)  ___ Thursdays (girls) ___

Name of Player: ____________________________________        Date of birth: __________    

Address: ________________________________________________________________

Parent’s Name: ______________________________   Home Phone: _____________________

Email Address (please print clearly):____________________________________________        

Work and/or Cell Phone:  _______________

Parent Printed Name: __________________________________           Date: _______________

Parent Signature: _________________________