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.
Players
Boys and Girls
Birth years 2013-2020
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.
Registration for the Spring 2025 season will open in January.
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 Fall 2024 season will start the week of September 9th and run through the week ending November 7th.
Practice schedule:
U5/U6 (born 2019-2020)
Tu/Th | 5:15 – 6:30 pm
U7/U8 (born 2017-2018)
Mon/Wed | 5:15 – 6:30 pm
U9/U10 (born 2015-2016)
Mon/Wed | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
U11/U12 (born 2013-2014)
Tu/Th | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Games are held on the same nights/times as practice, usually the 2nd day of the week. There are NO weekend games or different times than what is listed above.
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
$250/season
This price includes all training, game, facility, association, and insurance fees, as well as two game/practice jerseys.
There are no additional fees.
Our Academy Program is Sponsored by Koss Olinger
Create A Financial Game Plan For Your Best Future
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!