ABYSA Academy
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.  Our inaugural 07-08 season was a tremendous success and we are pleased to offer the Academy Program again for the coming year.  We want to make sure that all of your questions are answered regarding the Academy Program – for Frequently Asked Questions click here.

ABYSA ACADEMY SOCCER

The goal of the Academy Program is to provide select U10 and U9 players experiencing success at the recreation level (it is expected that more U10 players than U9 players will be developmentally ready to benefit from this program) an opportunity to learn the individual skills that soccer players must have to reach a higher level.  We utilize coaches that have significant coaching experience, and playing experience at the collegiate and even professional levels.  Many of the Academy trainers that work in this program also work within the Highland Football Club, the classic division of ABYSA.  Academy players train twice each week with the qualified trainers.

In order to provide this important benefit, 25% percent of games will be played on Friday nights, 25% will be played on Sundays, and 50% of games will be played on Saturdays.  At least two-thirds of all games will be played in Asheville.  Teams will play in an Academy League that only involves other ABYSA Academy teams.  On Festival Weekends, the Academy Director will form teams to play either against teams formed within the Academy pool of players or outside competition.  

COST

The total cost of the program is $385 for fall or first season players ($330 for returning players that have a uniform or for the spring or second season).  The fee includes two training shirts, and a complete home and away uniform and referee fees.  Financial Aid is available for families with a documented need who otherwise could not participate in the ABYSA Academy.

SCHEDULE

The fall training season is from early August through early November.  The spring training season lasts from early February through mid-May. There will be a unique ABYSA Academy Camp opportunity offered to accepted players the weeks of June 23rd and July 21st. Players will receive more information about this opportunity to become oriented to the Academy with their placement evaluation email.

PLAYER PLACEMENT

Players participating in Placement Evaluations will be notified via the e-mail address that is provided in the registration form.  Please make sure that the e-mail address is valid.  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 towards your fees.  NOTE: please bring one check per player – do not combine siblings or friends.

Players must bring a notarized medical release waiver that can be found via the following link:   (Notaries will be available on site at no charge.) NCYSA Medical Waiver.

Players must also bring a copy of their birth certificate (the copy does not have to be “certified” but it cannot be a complementary “hospital” birth certificate)

ALL PARENTS MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING THAT WILL BE HELD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.  The meeting will be offered on two dates to be determined.  If you do not attend the parent meeting, your child will not be allowed to participate in the Academy program.  These meetings help explain the finer details of how the program works, why we choose this format, and the responsibilities of ABYSA and Academy Families. 

The fall training season begins in early August and concludes in early November

The spring training season begins in early February and concludes in mid-May.

Click here for the Academy Placement Evaluation schedule and to begin registration.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Jimmy at (828) 299-7277 x308.  You can also e-mail at challengedoc@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.  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 safe environment.

What is the level of Academy soccer?

Academy soccer serves as a bridge between recreation soccer and BOTH U11 Challenge and Classic.  The approach 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 yet 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 have a desire to improve and work hard.

When does the Academy Program train?

Training will take place on Tuesday and Thursday from early August until early November.  The spring season begins in mid-February and concludes mid-May.  All training will take place at the John B. Lewis Soccer Facility.  Training times are determined by the directors and will last 75 minutes.

When do Academy players play matches?

Academy matches are played on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sunday afternoons.  Since the game coaches also work within our Classic program, it is necessary to have matches not only on Saturdays.

How much travel is involved?

Two or three weekends each season festival events will be held by other associations.  These events 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 from different areas of the state.

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 program is about learning to play soccer and making many new friends.

What is the Academy placement evaluation process?

ABYSA conducts a placement evaluation for players each May.  The evaluation process is ongoing through the season following the initial evaluation.  Some players will be recommended to continue their soccer development in our recreation program in the fall season.  All other 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 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 programming is a goal of ABYSA because playing in the right environment is most enjoyable for everyone.  Having players that are in the Academy program who are not prepared for the demands of the environment is destructive for them so following the fall season, participation in the Spring Academy program will be by invitation only.  If you are not invited to continue in the program in the Spring, we recommend that your player continue their soccer experience in our recreation program.   

When will I be notified?

Following the second group tryout, coaches will decide which players will be offered positions in the Academy. Players will be informed of their status within 5 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 tryouts. 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 to answer questions so that we can quickly complete the required paperwork.

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 THE PLAYERS ATTEND BOTH DAYS OF THE EVALUATIONS.

What is the cost of the program?

The cost of the program is $385 which includes a uniform, two training t-shirts, referee fees, and festival fees.  ALL NEW ACADEMY PLAYERS MUST HAVE A UNIFORM.

The cost of the program without a uniform is $330 which includes two new training t-shirts, referee fees and festival fees.

Can I play up an age group?

Players within the Academy are not permitted to play up an age group unless the decision is made by the director.  Players that are in the U10 age group and below will play in the Academy and will not be allowed to participate in U11 Challenge.

ALL PARENTS MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING THAT WILL BE HELD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.  The meeting will be offered on two dates to be determined.  If you do not attend the parent meeting, your child will not be allowed to participate in the Academy program.  These meetings help explain the finer details of how the program works, why we choose this format, and the responsibilities of ABYSA and Academy Families.