ACADEMY REC

PROGRAM

Players Every Year

Teams Every Year

Coaches Every Year

The Academy Recreational Program

The GSA Academy is an advanced recreational soccer program for players U5 through U12.

The Academy uses a professional coaching staff, a comprehensive curriculum, and optimal competition levels to help bridge the gap between recreational soccer and more advanced play for young boys and girls ages 4 through 11. A pathway for player development will be provided for every player to progress as far as they choose…whether they simply just want to learn more about the sport they love, or have dreams and aspirations of much more.

The program stresses player development over game results. It is much more important that we develop players within the proper framework of the game at this age, as opposed to demanding team wins at all costs. The curriculum will be predominantly directed at building a sound technical base for the player to build on as he/she grows. Comfort and touch on the ball, dribbling skills and passing technique will be paramount.

Program Mission Statement

The GSA Academy is a pathway to bridge the gap between recreational soccer and more advanced play for young boys and girls ages 4 through 12 in the “Golden Years” of learning. A trained, experienced coaching staff following a rich, thoughtful curriculum based on technical mastery will ensure proper development of individual skill and technique, while developing confidence and creativity on the ball. A teaching model stressing development over game results will be implemented, enabling every player to progress as far as they choose, while developing a passion for the game that will provide them with a lifetime of playing, watching and loving soccer.

l

Player Registration

Our Spring 2024 GSA Academy registration is now CLOSED! Please look for our Fall 2024 registration to open July 1st!

Players

Boys and Girls
Birth years 2012-2019

Season

There are two separate Academy seasons each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Each season is nine weeks in length. The fall season starts in early September, while the spring season begins mid-February. 

h

Season Overview

We do not use parent volunteer coaches in the Academy. We use only paid coaches, with experience coaching and/or playing soccer at a high level. All of our coaches follow a soccer curriculum designed by our senior staff centered around teaching proper technique and comfort with the ball.

All players will be evaluated early in the season in attempt to divide our teams as evenly as possible. Some players will be moved into older age groups, if necessary to challenge them appropriately.

We try to separate our boys and girls whenever possible, when numbers allow.

All games and training sessions are held at GSA’s Jonesville Soccer Park.

All players will receive a written evaluation at the end of the year, and will be considered for possible selection to our Advanced Academy program.

Practice/Game Nights

The Spring 2024 season will start the week of February 19th and run through the week ending April 25th.

Practice schedule:

U5/U6 (born 2018-2019)
Tu/Th |  5:15 – 6:30 pm

U7/U8 (born 2016-2017)
Mon/Wed | 5:15 – 6:30 pm

U9/U10 (born 2014-2015)
Mon/Wed | 6:30 –  8:00 pm

U11/U12 (born 2012-2013)
Tu/Th | 6:30 –  8:00 pm

Games are held on the same nights as practice at either 5:15 or 6:30.

Where

Gainesville Soccer Alliance
Jonesville Soccer Complex
14100 NW 32nd Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32606

Tryouts

Playing in the Academy does not require a tryout.

All players will be evaluated early in the season in attempt to divide our teams as evenly as possible. This allows us to create more evenly divided teams for optimal competition. Some players can be moved into older age groups (with parental consent), if necessary to challenge them appropriately.

Coaches

We do NOT use parent or volunteer coaches. We use only paid coaches, with experience coaching and/or playing soccer at a high level. All of our coaches follow a set soccer curriculum designed by our senior staff centered around teaching proper technique and comfort with the ball.

Cost

 $240/season

This price includes all training, game, facility, association, and insurance fees, as well as two game/practice jerseys.

There are no additional fees.

NEWS

Jonesville Park Renovations!

Jonesville Park Renovations!

We are extremely excited to announce the Alachua County Parks Department has begun an extensive renovation project at Jonesville Soccer Park that will solidify our home facility as the premier youth sports venue in the area! You most likely have noticed the new paint...

read more
GSA Merch Website Open!

GSA Merch Website Open!

We have partnered with Campus Customs to bring our families a NEW merch website just in time for holiday shopping! Follow the link below to get your new GSA gear!

read more
GSA Competitive Tryouts!

GSA Competitive Tryouts!

We had a record 475 players attend our GSA Competitive Program tryouts this week! Thank you all for your interest! Tryout results will be released in the coming days, as we prepare for our best season yet in 2023-2024!

read more

Our Academy Program is Sponsored by Koss Olinger

Create A Financial Game Plan For Your Best Future

Spring 2024 Team Lists & Schedules

U6 Teams and Schedules

Spring 2024 Teams and Schedules will be posted soon.

U8 Teams and Schedules

Spring 2024 Teams and Schedules can be found linked below.

 

U8 Schedule

U8 Team Lists

 

U10 Teams and Schedules

Spring 2024 Teams and Schedules can be found linked below.

 

U10 Schedule

U10 Team Lists

U12 Teams and Schedules

Spring 2024 Teams and Schedules can be found linked below.

 

U12 Schedule

U12 Team Lists

Aimee Womack

GSA Academy Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

GSA ACADEMY PROGRAM PARENT TESTIMONIALS

Michael Vaes

The Academy is Gainesville’s premier soccer training for kids. They have the most comprehensive and advanced technical training program available anywhere in the area! My kids always have a great time and their skills improve every Academy season!

Brian Karcinski

When our son needed more of a challenge after playing YSI the Academy was a great fit. The Academy coaches are able to provide better instruction than you normally get in parent coached leagues. Many of the coaches have been around for many seasons which allows them to build lasting relationships with the players.

Heather Pancoast

When we moved to Gainesville we began looking for a soccer program to involve our kids in. In our searching, we kept hearing great things about GSA and the Academy Program. As our kids had been coached by their dad so far, we were really interested in a program that would allow for them to be taught by a trained soccer coach in a more developmental setting. We have been so pleased with their experience with the Academy. The coaches and staff are professional and well-trained, and we have seen significant developmental growth in both of our girls!