Academy

Academy

Academy


Program Contacts

Academy Director: Matt Blankley

VP of Girls Travel: Eric Judka

VP of Boys Travel: Alan Poller

 


 

Program Overview

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. 

 


 

U8 Academy - General Info

Who is the program for?

U7 boys and girls born in 2017

U8 boys and girls born in 2016

 

 

What are the program details?

 

2024 SPRING SEASON


U7 Boys (2017)

Mondays 3.45pm - 4.45pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 6/3
No session: 5/27

Wednesdays 5.15pm - 6.15pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5

Saturdays 9.45am - 10.45am
Location: Roosevelt - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8*
No session: 5/25

*Festival on Saturday June 8th

REGISTER HERE
Note, when registering if the time does not appear in the drop down menu that time slot is full. Players may only show up to the time slot that has been booked. Dates, times and locations listed on this page are subject to change at the discretion of the WSA.

 

U7 Girls (2017)

Tuesdays 3.45pm - 4.45pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 6/4
No session: 5/28

Thursdays 5.15pm - 6.15pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6

Saturdays 8.30am - 9.30am
Location: Roosevelt - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8*
No session: 5/25

*Festival on Saturday June 8th

REGISTER HERE
Note, when registering if the time does not appear in the drop down menu that time slot is full. Players may only show up to the time slot that has been booked. Dates, times and locations listed on this page are subject to change at the discretion of the WSA.

 

U8 Boys (2016)
*Players that wish to play U9 Travel next year must participate in the U8 Academy.

Mondays 5pm - 6.15pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 6/3
No session: 5/27

Wednesdays 3.45pm - 5pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5

Saturdays 10am - 11.15am
Location: Wardlaw - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8*
No session: 5/25

*Festival on Saturday June 8th AND Sunday June 9th

REGISTER HERE
Note, when registering if the time does not appear in the drop down menu that time slot is full. Players may only show up to the time slot that has been booked. Dates, times and locations listed on this page are subject to change at the discretion of the WSA.
 

U8 Girls (2016)
*Players that wish to play U9 Travel next year must participate in the U8 Academy.

Tuesdays 5pm - 6.15pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 6/4
No session: 5/28

Thursdays 3.45pm - 5pm
Location: Elm Street - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6

Saturdays 8.30am - 9.45am
Location: Wardlaw - please note, fields are subject to change.
Dates: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8*
No session: 5/25

*Festival on Saturday June 8th AND Sunday June 9th

REGISTER HERE
Note, when registering if the time does not appear in the drop down menu that time slot is full. Players may only show up to the time slot that has been booked. Dates, times and locations listed on this page are subject to change at the discretion of the WSA.

 

WINTER

Winter Session 2 make-up dates are as follows:
 

Saturday March 2nd
Westfield Armory (Indoor)
1 hour sessions

8am - U8 Boys
9am - u8 Girls
10am - u7 Boys
11am - u7 Girls

 

Saturday March 16th
Westfield Armory (Indoor)
1 hour sessions

8am - U8 Boys
9am - u8 Girls
10am - u7 Boys
11am - u7 Girls

 

Friday March 22nd
Sid Fey Field (OUTDOORS)

1 hour session 

4pm - u7 Boys & Girls
5pm - u8 Boys and Girls

 

Saturday March 23rd
Westfield Armory (Indoor)
1 hour sessions

8am - U8 Boys
9am - u8 Girls
10am - u7 Boys
11am - u7 Girls

 

 

What equipment do players need?

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

U8 Age Approprite Priorities


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.

 


 

FAQ's

 

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. 

#SoccerLivesHere