ABYSA Academy

2010-2011 Placement Evaluations

Prospective ABYSA Academy Player/Parent,

Thank you for your interest in the ABYSA Academy Program and the placement evaluations that will be held soon.  The ABYSA Academy Program is the best place for U9 and U10 players who are excelling in Recreation Soccer and will benefit from the professional coaching this program offers. If your child is having success in ABYSA Recreation Soccer we want you to consider our Academy as the best place to nurture their development.  We also want to make sure that all of your questions are answered as you consider our Academy Program. We will hold a meeting for interested parents in early May. For Frequently Asked Questions click here.

ABYSA ACADEMY SOCCER

The goal of the Academy Program is to provide select U10 and U9 players the opportunity for accelerated development in the individual skills that soccer players must have to reach a higher level. It is expected that more U10 players than U9 players will be developmentally ready to benefit from this program. U9 and U10 is the golden age of learning for young soccer players and ABYSA commits its best professional coaching resources to this program. ABYSA Academy Coaches have significant coaching and playing experience at the collegiate and even professional levels.  Many of the Academy Trainers that work in this program also work in the Highland Football Club, the Classic Division of ABYSA.  Academy players train twice each week and play games on the weekend.

In order for our best coaches to be available for both practices and games there is a need for flexibility in scheduling.  We will most often use Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons as times for games. The vast majority of games are played in Asheville.  Players will play in an Academy League that involves other players from the ABYSA Academy Program.  There will be some “Festival Weekends” when the Academy Director will form teams to play teams from other associations.  Not all players will be selected to play in these games against teams from other associations. The Academy Director will select players to play in these games based on several factors including the competitive level of the teams from the other associations.

COST

The total cost of the program is $405 for this fall or for first season players - $330 program fee and $75 Uniform.  Subsequent seasons will be $330. Program fees include coach fees, field rental, referee fees, festival entry fees and administration costs. They do not cover the cost of travel for individual families to out of town events. The uniform fee includes two training shirts and a complete home and away uniform including shorts & socks.  Financial Aid is available for families with a documented need who otherwise could not participate in the ABYSA Academy Program.

SCHEDULE

The fall training season is from mid August through early November.  The spring training season lasts from early February through early May. There will be a unique ABYSA Academy Camp opportunity offered to accepted players during 2 weeks this summer. The Academy Summer Camp is not required; however, it is a great opportunity for players to become familiar with our trainers and the Academy training environment. Players will receive more information about Academy Camp once they have been accepted into the program.

PLAYER PLACEMENT

Players participating in Placement Evaluations will be notified via the e-mail address that is provided on the registration form.  Please make sure that the e-mail address you provide is accurate.  We hope to inform players of their placement status within 7 days of their final placement evaluation date. Players will be placed in either U10 or U9 Academy or referred to continue in our recreation program for another year.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All placement evaluation participants are required to bring a $50 deposit.  The deposit is refunded for players that are not placed or decline their position in the ABYSA Academy within 7 days of their placement.  This deposit is credited toward fees if you accept your position.  NOTE: please bring one check per player – do not combine siblings or friends.
Players must bring to tryouts:

• A medical release that can be found here (Form does not have to be notarized this year).
  
  
• A copy of their birth certificate (the copy does not have to be “certified” but it cannot be a complementary “hospital” birth certificate)
  
  
• A Financial Agreement that can be found here.

ALL PARENTS MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING THAT WILL BE HELD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.  The meeting will be offered on several dates.  If you do not attend the parent meeting your child will not be allowed to participate in the ABYSA Academy Program.  At these meetings will explain the details of how the program works, the learning environment that we provide our young players, and the responsibilities of ABYSA and Academy Families. 
 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Jason ReMine at (828) 299-7277 x303.  You can also e-mail at jason@abysa.org.
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Academy soccer?

2. What is the level of Academy soccer?

3. How will I know if my child is ready to participate in Academy soccer?

4. When does the Academy Program train?

5. When do Academy players play matches?

6. How much travel is involved?

7. Can I play on the same team as my friend?

8. What is the Academy placement evaluation process?

9. When will I be notified?

10. How long do I have to accept an offered position? What if I am uncertain?

11. What if I can't make both days of placement evaluations?

12. What is the cost of the program?

13. Can I play up an age group?

What is Academy soccer?

The Academy Program is intended to maximize INDIVIDUAL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT rather than team development. Team development can only be accomplished with a group of individuals that are technically proficient. With the Academy age group we will develop the players individually so that they can be effective TEAM PLAYERS as they move into the older age groups.  The emphasis is placed on technical progress in the areas of dribbling, passing, receiving, striking balls, and basic decision making.  This program is designed for players that are finding success in their recreational soccer experience that want to improve and learn about the game in a fun, exciting and emotionally safe environment.

What is the level of Academy soccer?

Academy soccer is the highest level of play offered to U9 and U10 players in ABYSA. Academy soccer serves as a bridge between ABYSA Recreation soccer and BOTH U11 Challenge and U 11 Classic.  The training and game environment we create introduces players to the expectations of soccer at the next level.  While a disciplined approach is expected by the players, the intent of the program is to make sure soccer remains fun, challenging, and educational!

How will I know if my child is ready to participate in Academy soccer?

This program is not for every player.  It is designed for players that are excelling at the recreation level and are ready to benefit from a more challenging learning environment.

When does the Academy Program train?

Training will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from mid August until early November.  The spring season begins in early February and concludes early May.  All training will take place at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex.  Training sessions last 75-90 minutes.

When do Academy players play matches?

Academy matches are played on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Most games will be played on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. Our Academy Staff are drawn from ABYSA’s most talented coaches who also have responsibilities in other ABYSA programs. Utilizing these coaches requires that we have flexibility in game day scheduling.

How much travel is involved?

Travel in the Academy Program is minimal. Some players will be given the opportunity to travel to play against players from outside the Asheville Area.  These events will be limited and may be in the Charlotte area, Greensboro area, or Hickory area.  While some travel will occur, there are other associations that will travel to us when we host festival events.

Can I play on the same team as my friend?

Players that participate in the Academy are not placed on permanent teams.  Having the flexibility to assign players to play with different groups throughout the season helps us maximize each individual player’s growth. This is a key concept in our approach to player development and providing appropriate competition for all players.  The Academy is about learning to play soccer and making many new friends.

What is the Academy placement evaluation process?

ABYSA conducts placement evaluations for players in May and also some supplemental placement evaluations in December/January.  The evaluation process is ongoing through the season following the initial evaluation.  Some players will be best advised to continue their soccer development in our recreation program in the fall season.  Many players will be invited to participate in the program beginning in August.

While we recognize that we are working with younger players of differing physical and emotional development levels, sometimes players are not capable of reaching the expectations in the Academy Program.  Therefore, the first several weeks of Academy training will also serve as an evaluation period and some players may be asked to leave if they are not ready for the program.  Placing players in the appropriate program is a goal of ABYSA because playing in the right environment makes soccer more enjoyable for everyone. Players who are not prepared for the demands of the environment will not benefit or have fun. Participation in the Spring Academy Program will be by invitation only.  If you are not invited to continue in the program for the spring we recommend that your player continues their soccer in our ABYSA Recreation Program.

When will I be notified?

Following the second group tryout coaches will decide which players will be asked to join the program. Players will be informed of their status within 7 days of the completion of placement evaluations.

How long do I have to accept an offered position? What if I am uncertain?

In order to file the required paperwork with NCYSA in time for our Academy season, we ask that families indicate in their registration if they will accept positions (if offered) prior to attending placement evaluations. If you are undecided, please mark that box on the registration form and provide a brief explanation of the reasons for your uncertainty. An ABYSA Director will contact you to discuss your concerns and answer questions so you can make a decision about what is best for your child. If your child is offered a spot in the Academy Program after the placement evaluations you will be sent an email with a link to use to confirm that you will accept the invitation. We will need a decision from you within 7 days of receiving an invitation.

What if I can't make both days of placement evaluations?

In the event that players are only available for one day of evaluations, coaches will only have that one day to evaluate them for a position. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT PLAYERS ATTEND BOTH EVALUATION SESSIONS.

What is the cost of the program?

The total cost of the program is $405 for this fall or for first season players - $330 program fee and $75 Uniform.  Subsequent seasons will be $330. Program fees include coach fees, field rental, referee fees, festival entry fees and administration costs. They do not cover the cost of travel for individual families to out of town events. The uniform fee includes two training shirts and a complete home and away uniform including shorts & socks.  Financial Aid is available for families with a documented need who otherwise could not participate in the ABYSA Academy Program.  ALL ACADEMY PLAYERS MUST HAVE A UNIFORM.

Can I play up an age group?

Players in the Academy will be placed in their proper age group. The Academy Director may move a U9 player into the U10 age group if he feels that it is developmentally appropriate. ABYSA players in the U9 and U10 age group are not permitted to participate in the U11 Challenge Program.

ALL PARENTS MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING THAT WILL BE HELD DURING THE SUMMER.  The meeting will be offered on two dates and will be announced well in advance..  . Players may not start training until their parent(s) have attended an orientation meeting. At these meetings will explain the details of how the program works, the learning environment that we provide our young players, and the responsibilities of ABYSA and Academy Families. 
 
 
 

 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jason ReMine, ABYSA Academy Director, by email at jason@abysa.org or in the ABYSA office at (828) 299-7277 Ext. 303.