Competitive Soccer

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YOUTH ACADEMY

WHAT IS THE YOUTH ACADEMY PROGRAM?

The SASL Youth Academy is the transitional step for soccer players ages 6-12 who are ready for a higher level of training and competition. It serves as a bridge between recreational soccer and Classic-level play, offering advanced coaching and a more competitive training atmosphere.

Led by professional  licensed SASL Academy Staff Coaches, the Youth Academy focuses on individual player development within a team setting. Players train in pool-style groups, which encourages camaraderie, competition, and skill progression. This group format promotes confidence and allows players to challenge one another while forming lasting friendships.

KEY BENEFITS OF THE SASL YOUTH ACADEMY

• Professional Coaching: Sessions led by experienced paid Academy Staff
• Player-Centered Development: Emphasis on technical growth, tactical awareness, and teamwork.
• Positive Learning Environment: Focus on growth over results, with winning as a byproduct of hard work and development.
• BECOMING A STUDENT OF THE GAME:  Respect for the game, coaches, referees, teammates, and opponents is at the heart of everything we do.

ACADEMY SOCCER ASSESSMENTS 

The Developmental Youth Academy is for players 7U through 12U.  All prospective academy players must be assessed by the SASL Academy Staff.

For a supplemental assessment please contact Ryan Patterson, Executive Director, info@sasl.net

	TEAM SELECTION Tryouts are held annually in May, with supplemental tryouts held in November/December for U15 - U19 Boys and periodically throughout the year for other age groups.
	SEASONS U11 - U14 players are usually required to play both spring and fall, while U15 - U19 Boys play in the spring and U15 - U19 girls play in the fall.
	COACHING All coaches are licensed professional staff coaches that are experienced and qualified individuals with USSF or United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) coaching licenses.
	TRAINING All classic teams train 2-3 nights a week.

	GAMES Games are generally played on the weekends. There can be multiple games on a weekend. They are intense and highly competitive. Playing time is not guaranteed; however, at U11-U12 player development is our main objective. Result oriented soccer becomes progressively more important starting at U13. Teams will participate in 2-3 tournaments. This could involve traveling to another city or state with overnight stays in a hotel, eating out, and usually at least three soccer games in one weekend.
	FINANCIAL COMMITMENT Classic soccer is a greater financial commitment than Academy or Recreational soccer. There are generally two types of fees for Classic - club fees and team fees. Club fees cover items such as trainers, fields, player insurance, while team fees can cover team tournament fees, referee fees, coach’s travel/expenses, and items of that nature. And fees can be paid at once or divided into quarterly or monthly payments. Financial assistance is available for those who apply and qualify.
	TEAM PROMOTION Teams are promoted and relegated between divisions at the conclusion of each season (spring or fall) based on North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) standards.