ACADEMY PROGRAM TRYOUTS !!!!!!!!
For TRYOUT information click the following link...
LSA TRYOUT INFO

WHAT IS THE ACADEMY PROGRAM ?????
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In 2002, the Georgia Youth Soccer Association (GYSA) began looking for a way to more slowly transition players into the highly competitive environment of select soccer.  Many clubs were looking for a way to decrease the travel and the competitive intensity for U10 play while still wanting to offer a program of increased technical training and quality games.  From that search came U10 “Developmental” programs started by some of the larger associations in metro Atlanta that later became the GYSA sanctioned Academy concept.  In 2003 it was extended from U10 to U11 and this fall it will also be available for U12.

Academy soccer provides the opportunity to utilize a club’s best coaches and trainers for the benefit of more players than they can reach by working with a single team.  It requires the same commitment by the player and the family to increased practice time and potential expense of training and tournaments.  Although there is some travel involved, the club has a voice in how much.

Players register with the Academy program, as opposed to registering with a specific team.  They can then be moved from team to team within the program to best meet their development needs in both practice sessions and games.

Right now GYSA officially recognizes both Academy and Select programs for U10, U11 and U12.  However it seems quite apparent that at some future date, select play will not start until U13.

Why did LSA adopt the Academy program concept?
Previously, GYSA required a minimum of 3 teams for an age group to be considered for an Academy program – a minimum that LSA could not meet.  That requirement has been dropped and GYSA is actively encouraging all associations, regardless of size, to form an Academy program.  In addition, the timing is right.  Nearly all of the associations within an hour of Gainesville/Hall County have adopted the Academy format.  If we did not switch, our U10 and U11 teams would be very limited in the number of other select teams to play this fall – which would result in increased travel and yet less exposure.

Plus, with a great turnout at tryouts we can now form multiple teams at each age group for each gender and can actually take advantage of all the benefits of an Academy program.

What are the benefits of an Academy Program? How does Academy really differ from Select?
Academy Training Style: Training curriculum taught to all players in that age group.  All players in a given age group and gender practice together.
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Academy Game Format: Regular season friendlies, no results posted.
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Academy Player Movement: For purposes of parity, player development, learning needs, tactics, etc. players can be moved between teams for practice sessions or games.
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Academy Team Formation: Teams are formed and reformed each week to meet the needs of the next game’s format.  Some associations focus on parity in the fall and true A/B/C teams in the spring.  Others roster A/B/C all the time.  Each week we will talk to the upcoming club’s program coordinator and plan accordingly.
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Academy Parent Education: Mandatory Parent Education Program.  Curriculum to be published in early August.
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Academy Tournaments: U10 limited to 3 per year.
U11 limited to 4 per year.

Academy Program Update
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TRAINER FEES:
Prior to the Academy program, trainer fees were based on a scale developed by Franklin McIntosh. 

Today, most LSA trainers are at least D licensed. 

Academy Training fee will be paid from parents into an Academy training Account and the trainers will be paid from this account.  Team Managers will collect and supply money to the Academy Account Manager and this person will pay the trainers.  Two payments of $80.00 each per player will cover 4 months of training.  The money will be going to trainers in order to keep the quality trainers that we currently have.

Each team will keep their own accounts for tournament money and individual team needs, end of year parties, etc upon their discression.

PLAYER EXPECTATIONS:

1) Be at practice
2) Be on time to practices and games
3) Arrive with your equipment
4) If not able to attend, contact team manager or coach.
5) Arrive at designated time as determined by coach to games

Consequences of not attending practice are up to the individual coaches, i.e. playing time might be affected this depends on the reason for tardiness or absence.  Game day:  arrive 30 minutes prior to game time (or earlier if coach requests); failure to do so may affect playing time.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS:
1) Bring player on time to practices and games
2) Bring player with equipment to practices and games
3) Coaching – leave this to the coaches
4) Conversation with coach - schedule a time
Arrive on time (expectation #1) –
The players depend on you to get them to the appropriate location and to be on time.
Arrive with Equipment (expectation #2) –
Sometimes they are responsible… sometimes not, remind them if necessary to be prepared for any piece of equipment that they might need.
Coaching (expectation # 3) -
When the parents yell at the kids, they tend to get confused.  Keep encouraging the players, but let the coaches COACH. Right now, it is not all about winning.  We must create a good product right now and not always win.

Communication with coaches – Franklin encourages coaches and trainers to give out a listing of the days/times that they will be available to make appointments to talk with parents to address questions and concerns.  The time to talk is not right after a game, not right before nor right after practice.  Emotions run high and things might be said that you really don’t mean!  Schedule a time to talk!

F.A.Q.
Q:  Do we have to pay trainer for rain out day?
A: With the new policy, Yes.  If the trainer is a NO SHOW, no.

Q:  How is the Gold vs. Navy team selections made weekly?
A: No favoritisms.  This is based on ability. Coaches sometimes ask players to play on the Navy team to observe leadership skills or to watch attitudes, etc.

Q:  Can a player play on both teams on the same day?
A: Yes

Q:  Are the trainers supposed to come to the games?
A: Yes for HOME games and at least 50% of the AWAY games.  Most go to all games anyway.

Q:  Who decides on what tournaments the Academy teams will go to?
A: Franklin McIntosh and the Coaching staff.  This is based on the teams needs.  A survey of the parents might be taken into consideration to determine the preferences of the parents for tournament selections.

Q:  How are we paying for tournament fees?
A: These fees are paid upfront but separate from trainer fees.

Q:  Are tournament rosters changeable?
A: The rosters are locked in during the check-in process for the tournament.  Therefore, tournament rosters cannot be changed once the team has been checked in.  Thus, when you commit for a tournament, your team is depending on you to be there!

Q:  Are tournaments mandatory for the player to attend?
A: Yes, the reason being that we want all the team together and to get the team in shape for the season.  The end of the season tournaments are a reward to showcase the team accomplishments during the season.  Preseason tournaments are more important.  Franklin has to look at the big picture.

Q:  What are the scheduled for tournament for next fall season?  If not known, when can the team for next year expect to know?
A: We will have decision and let parents know for next fall pre and post-season tournament in August.  LSA will have an academy tournament next year.

Q:  When are tryouts for next year’s teams?
A: 1st week of June (information to be available on TRYOUT page of LSA website).

Q:  When will practice begin for season?
A: 2 weeks prior to first tournament.  Coaches will advise if different.

Q:  Can you give any information on U12 Academy moving to U13 Select?
A: U13 will play 11-v-11 format, with 14 – 16 players on the roster.  We want to be able to have 2 teams in each Select age group.

Q:  What does LSA look for in trainers?
A: Qualifications to be a LSA trainer:  Must hold a D license, must have been players whom can demonstrate the correct technique (played in college).

For further questions or concerns, please contact your Academy commissioners or Franklin McIntosh.