Program Contacts

Academy Director: Matt Blankley

VP of Girls Travel: Eric Judka

VP of Boys Travel: Alan Poller

 

---

 

Program Overview

The Academy is for players that seek to play travel and club soccer at U9 and above. Learn the difference between Rec vs Academy.

The main objective of the WSA Academy is to help players become more capable and confident on the ball, while also helping them become better decision makers. We want to help them become better at reading their environment to make better decisions, based on what happens around them, and execute these decisions with confidence (technique).

All participants are given the chance to take part in weekly practice sessions and small sided games on the weekend. All sessions are led by professional coaches assigned by the WSA. These coaches will implement an effective curriculum to help the players work on the above mentioned, under the guidance of the Academy Director.

Players will be divided over teams for an internal small sided game-play on the weekend. These games will be supervised by the professional coaching staff, but we are also going to need the help of volunteer coaches. If you are interested in helping out with the games please do also make sure to note this when you complete the registration for your son/ daughter. 

 

---

 

Who is the program for?

U7 boys and girls born in 2017

U8 boys and girls born in 2016

 

 

What are the program details?

 

WINTER

Academy winter program is split into 2 separate sessions. To take part in both sessions you must register for both. 

Session 1
Starts week of December 4th, 2023
Ends week of January 15th, 2024

Tuesday Dates: 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/2, 1/9, 1/16

Wednesday Dates: 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17

Saturday Dates: 12/9, 12/16, 1/6, 1/13, 1/20

 No sessions on the following dates:
Sat Dec 23rd
Tue Dec 26th
Wed Dec 27th
Sat Dec 30th

Location: Armory (indoors)

Cost: $260

REGISTER HERE

 

Session 2
Starts week of January 22nd, 2024
Ends week of February 26th, 2024

Tuesday Dates: 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27

Wednesday Dates: 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28

Saturday Dates: 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/2, 3/9

No sessions on:

Sat Jan 27th
 

Location: Armory (indoors)

Cost: $260

REGISTER HERE

 

U7 BOYS

Every Wednesday 3.30pm - 4.30pm and Saturday 10am - 11am

U7 GIRLS

Every Tuesday 3.30pm - 4.30pm and Saturday 11am - 12pm

U8 BOYS

Wednesdays 4.30pm - 5.30pm and Saturdays 8am - 9am

U8 GIRLS

Every Tuesday 4.30pm - 5.30pm and Saturday 9am - 10am
 

---

 

What equipment do players need?

Shin guards, appropriate footwear (preferably soccer cleats if outdoors. No cleats indoors), soccer ball, water bottle. 

The priorities for our academy players:

1. Players need to learn to make their own decisions on the ball (without receiving guidance from adults).  The environment around them changes constantly and players need to be able to adjust to the demands placed on them during the game. Let them make the decisions on the ball!

2. Develop creativity and confidence on the ball. As a program we aim to develop players who are both comfortable and confident on the ball. This takes years to develop and we therefore focus so much on the basic technical skills from U5-­U8, needed to be successful as a player in the years to come. This so players can execute their decisions accordingly. You need to be able to make decisions on your own and be able to execute these decisions accordingly.

3. Develop an understanding of 2 of the main moments in soccer. Offense and defense (and what happens in when you win or lose the ball as well). 

4. Continue to develop their basic motor skills needed to develop as soccer players and athletes in general.

Some benefits of using small sided games include: more player participation, more touches of the ball, more passes attempted, more 1v1s attempted, and different games mean different problems to solve and skills to use.

During these games played in the weekend we do ask all parents to sit back, relax and to enjoy watching their son or daughter play. The game is and will always be the best teacher, so we aim to provide the players the opportunity to play and learn at their pace. Players will only become confident and comfortable on the ball when given the opportunity to make their own decisions.

 

 

 

Please visit our FAQ's for questions on waitlist, equipment and more. 

If you are not receiving emails please visit our instruction page to opt back into emails.