GSA Youth Academy

Register NOW!
Spring is $130,
second child is just $115
and all others just $100
ages 4 through middle school

The GSA Academy is currently enrolling players ages 4 to Middle School for our Spring 2012 season. Don’t miss this chance to join our proud and successful soccer family! These are some of the reasons why the GSA Academy is gaining the reputation as simply the best recreational soccer program in the Gainesville area:

• Jonesville Park – Are you tired of practicing and playing on uneven, rocky fields covered with ants? All of our training sessions and games are held on the beautiful fields at Jonesville Park!
• Certified Instructors – All of our trainers have played soccer at high levels and/or hold various licenses and certifications!
• Separate Girls Divisions – We put our girls and boys in separate divisions to allow them to grow at their own pace!
• Competitive Groupings – We recognize that players develop at different rates. Sometimes, because of size or skill, players need the challenge of “playing up.” At GSA, we evaluate players at the start of the season. We use these evaluations to find the right level for each player as well as to divide teams as equally as possible to enhance competition and fairness.
• No Weekends – All of our games are held during the week, so your weekends are free!

Registration is Open...
Spring is $130,
second child is just $115
and all others just $100
ages 4 through middle school

Practices and games are all held at the beautiful GSA Soccer Complex in Jonesville Park.

You will need to bring with you on the first day of practice,
birth certificate, payment, ball, shin guards and water.

Power of Positivism:
Positive Parental Support • Positive Encouragement
Positive Coaching

Good job to our Academy players.
By Patti Atchison
Secretary

They are living proof that the recommendations of the US Soccer Association really work. They advocate that it is critical for the kids to 'develop a relationship' with the ball first before they learn anything else, much like a piano player learns finger positions and scales before learning how to play songs. After the kids learn to be comfortable with the ball, they advance to being comfortable in a game setting, first focusing just on themselves and the goal and then developing the awareness that they are part of a bigger picture of a team on the field. Allowing them to develop proficiencies before they play the game itself means they can relax play for fun and figure out the finer points of the game in a way that makes the learning more effective. They problem solve, play creatively and tryout all the skills they have been practicing. They have fun, feel successful and it is from this foundation that the better soccer players develop. It works if you watch our little ones. They are really blossoming into great little players!

Philosophy
The GSA Youth Academy is designed to develop young soccer players through the “Golden Years” of Learning”. The program will stress player development versus results. It is much more important that we develop players within the proper framework at this age as opposed to demanding that teams must win at all costs. If we focus on the individual performance of the player, player development and team progress will be a byproduct. The curriculum will be designed specifically for youth players; therefore, your sons and daughters will be assured a proper, age specific learning environment.

Our philosophy is to develop skills and techniques to play "The Beautiful Game of Soccer:" The expression of the player and his/her ability is vital. We want to open the door of creativity for every player with a soccer ball.

“The emphasis on winning is a detriment to young players because it prevents us from developing technically proficient players. And we are not giving them the ability to make decisions.” –US u17 National Team Coach, John Hackworth. Soccer America, Oct. 2006

“Too often in this country, youth coaches sacrifice learning skills for winning games…- US Women’s National Team Member, Mia Hamm.
Soccer America, Oct. 2006

Improving Technique
When players improve their technical ability they grow in confidence and give themselves a greater capacity to process information, which is vital in the development of young soccer players. Improving technique is paramount to future players of GSA.

Improving Teamwork
Another way to increase enjoyment of the game is through interaction with team-mates, with small group activities which enhance skillful and imaginative play, for example (2v1, 2v2, 2v3, 3v3, and 4v4 to goals or targets) At a young age, players play in a number of positions to improve their all around understanding and knowledge of the game. Hence, players will be exposed to multiple positions throughout the seasonal year.

Player Standards
Discipline is a key factor when learning the game of soccer. GSA expects all players to attend training. Arrive early. Shirts tucked in, socks pulled up displaying proper GSA training attire. Equipment, including a soccer ball, shin-guards and water bottle are mandatory items.

Training Format
We will train one night a week and play in one game a week. All training will be run by the GSA coaching staff. The training will be approximately one hour in length. All coaches are licensed coaches and have played at a very high level. The staff will teach and develop these players to have the confidence, and the technical ability to enjoy the game. Players are placed in an environment that allows them to develop anawareness of the GSA “club culture” among different peers with whom they may compete in the future.

Power of Positivism
Positive Parental Support
Positive support is vital during times of disappointment which is a natural part of a young soccer player’s developmental success. Please remember these years are fragile andthat you play a huge role in the development of your child mentally.

Positive Encouragement
Positive encouragement from parents is vital to help young soccer players understand the significance of winning and losing, the experience of frustration in learning and the need to develop self confidence.

Positive Coaching
Positive coaching from our staff is vitally important to our players’ development. We must ensure that our players are instilled with confidence to play and have an understanding of the coach's instructions also that our players accept constructive and negative information to improve them as soccer players and team members. Encouragement at this level is a massive motivational tool to making our players successful, creative and well rounded soccer players.

Academy Director
Ron is a native from Gainesville, Fl and has lived most of his life. Ron has played or coached for 35 years. Ron has coached high school for 15 years and has had over 40 players play at the college level. As the girls coach at Buchholz over the last 10 years Buchholz has been a state powerhouse and has blown the competition away locally losing only one game in ten years to local teams. Ron has been a part of GSA staff since the inception and has taken every team he has coached to Final sixteen in State Cup. He currently coaches the U-16 Gainesville Rampage which is regarded as one of the best teams not in only in the State but region 3. Ron was a standout Goalkeeper at Gainesville high school as well as college and loves to see Gainesville soccer grow and become what is today.

Coaching Experience
2001- Present GSA Academy Director, GSA Staff Coach, BHS Girls Varsity, Warner Soccer Training Center Staff and Coach 1995-2001, North Florida Express Staff Coach and Goalkeeper Coach, GHS and EHS Boys Coach

Coaching Credentials
USSF National A license
USSF National Youth license
NSCAA Goal Keeping Diploma
NSCAA High School Diploma

More Academy News...

Important Dates/Times

February 27th –
First day of spring training.

March 14th –
First games of the spring season.

May 3rd –
Last games of the spring season.

Girls Training –
Mondays from 6:15 to 7:30.

Girls Games –
Wednesdays at 5:30 or 6:30.

Boys Training –
Tuesdays from 6:15 to 7:30.

Boys Games –
Thursdays at 5:30 or 6:30.