Academy Program
Our Academy soccer program is a developmental for U9-U12 players and is the foundation of our Select program. Our program is open to boys and girls of all skill levels, and is designed to provide a fun and supportive environment for learning and development. Led by our Academy Director and staff, our players will participate in a range of drills, exercises, and games designed to improve their skills, build their confidence, and foster a love of the game. We instill a focus on possession based soccer that is committed to long term player development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. Our players will not only develop their technical soccer skills but also make new friends and create lifelong memories.
TRYOUTS
Tryouts for the 2026/2027 season will take place on May 18-20. If you are interested in joining our Academy program, please contact Ted@athensunited.net.
Due to the recent age group changes, all players will be required to try out with their appropriate age group. Any decisions regarding players “playing up” will not be made in advance and will instead be evaluated during tryouts. Final decisions on playing up will be determined on a case-by-case basis by our Sporting Director, Jason Lockhart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group is the academy program for?
Our academy program is designed for players in our U8-U12 age groups. If you need to figure out the age group change, please click on this link to find your age group.
In the academy program, we focus on developing skills, teamwork, and a love for the game in a fun and supportive environment.
What skills will my child learn?
Players will learn the essential technical soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending. This is the most important age to establish the building blocks of their soccer career.
We also emphasize sportsmanship and teamwork to help them grow both on and off the field. We help to ensure that players are disciplined, respectful, and show good sportsmanship.
How often are practices and games?
Practices are held 2-3 times a week, with games scheduled on weekends. This structure allows players to develop their skills while enjoying competitive play.
Home games are played at Holland Youth Sports Complex. We schedule academy games with local clubs to ensure good competition.
What is the cost of the program?
The total cost of the academy program for 2025 is $1400 for U9-U10 players and $1500 for U11-U12 players.
These fees includes 2-3 training sessions per week, player insurance, team camp, referee fees, and one free AUSA tournament . We strive to keep our programs affordable while providing high-quality coaching.
How can I reach out with any questions?
For all questions regarding the academy program, please reach out to our Academy Director, Ted Colburn, at ted@athensunited.net.
