Program – Academy
Level – Competitive
Stage – Developmental
This is a Competitive Travel team who plays vs. 1st and 2nd division level teams in their age group.
WHAT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY?
Our philosophy is to teach the principles of play which includes building the total soccer player through the 5 pillars: technical, physical, psychological, tactical, and psycho-social, all while continuing to teach the game and provide a positive learning experience.
WHO IS THE TEAM FOR?
The Sandy Spring Soccer Club (SSSC) 2016 Boys Academy I team is the 1st team in the age group and the team seeks to play against the the top competition from other clubs. This team requires a 10 month commitment in Fall (September – November), Winter (December – February), and the Spring (March – June), however, the players have the option to take the Winter off or to solely participate in our clinics.
Players who typically tryout or play for this team are competitive level players and have a good understanding of the game. There is however a depth chart and the players on this team could find themselves on the 2016 Boys Academy II team. This isn’t a demotion as the players can find themselves back up the depth chart. The reason for this is to match the players up with their level of play.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE TEAM?
Objective #1 – For players to continue to develop a love for the game and progress through their development all while enjoying the game.
Objective #2 – To play in a league best suited for the team’s current playing level.
Objective #3 – Teach the players the fundamentals of the game to be able to successfully play anywhere whether in the world whether they choose to remain in the club many years from now or move onto a different club.
Objective #4 – To train hard during the week to make the game easier for them on the weekends.
Objective #5 – To teach teamwork, sportsmanship, respect to each other, their families, and the opponent.
Objective #6 – Improve every day in soccer and look to attack, attack, attack, when on the field.
Objective #7 – Have great character on and off the field. Learn to win games and understand what comes next after a loss. Can’t win them all!
WHAT DAYS ARE TRAINING, TIMES, AND WHERE ARE THEY HELD?
Fall and Spring practice days: Tuesdays and Thursdays (this is subject to change season to season)
Locations (varies weekly): Sandy Spring Friends School (16923 Norwood Rd, Sandy Spring, MD 20860), Sherwood Elementary School, and Blake High School.
Times: 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm (we practice for 1.25 hours anytime between these time slots)
*Note – Once you have been added to the team, then you will be added to the TeamSnap account with details of the dates, times, and locations.
TEAM HISTORY AND WHICH LEAGUE DOES THE TEAM CURRENTLY PLAY IN?
Fall 2023 season – The Maryland Developmental Soccer League. Games are held in Montgomery County. The format for the games is 5 v 5 and they are either played on natural grass or artificial turf.
Winter 2023/24 season – The team played Futsal in the Maryland Developmental Soccer League. This league is based in Rockville and the league’s format is 5 v 5 on a basketball or futsal court.
Spring 2024 season – The team will plays in the Maryland Developmental Soccer League. Once this team shows improvement and the families are ready to play outside of Montgomery, then we will take the next step to move them to another league and introduce them to more tournaments outside of the county.
Fall 2024 season – The team will play in MDSL Premier or move to EDP Division III. Games will either be held at the Maryland Soccerplex or the team may play 4 games away and 4 games at home. Away games can be held between Baltimore to D.C.
What tournaments do the team play in?
The team attends at least 10 tournaments throughout the 10 month season. 4 tournaments are held in the fall, 2 tournaments are held in the winter, and 4 tournaments are held in the summer. See the tournaments that the team has played in or will be playing in for the future. Tournaments are always subject to change.
Fall Season (August – November)
- August – Frederick Scrimmagefest (Frederick, MD)
- August – MDSL Summer Breakout (Montgomery County, MD)
- September – CMSA Labor Day (Bel-Air, MD) or OBGC Capital Cup (Olney, MD)
- October – MDSL Fall Classic (Montgomery County, MD)
- November – Columbia Fall Classic (Columbia, MD)
- November – MDSL Fall Breakout (Silver Spring, MD)
Winter Season (December – March)
- January – MLK Cup (Washington, D.C.)
- February – MDSL Futsal Classic (Rockville, MD)
Spring Season (March – June)
- March – Frederick Scrimmagefest 42 (Frederick, MD) or March – Amanda Post Memorial (Columbia, MD)
- March – MDSL Spring Classic (Silver Spring, MD)
- May – MDSL Memorial Cup (Silver Spring, MD) or May – Potomac Memorial Tournament (Germantown, MD)
- June – Mid-Atlantic Cup (Germantown, MD)
- June – MDSL Scrimmagefest (Springfield, VA)
- June – DC Cup (Washington, DC)
How much to join the team and what do we receive?
Joining the 2016 Academy I team is the highest level in an age group and very competitive. Players have the freedom to take seasons off but when we are in-season there is a commitment. Families must be ready for this commitment.
Practice uniform
- 1 green jersey, 1 pair of gray shorts, and 1 pair of gray socks.
Game uniform
- 1 gray jersey, 1 brown jersey, 1 pair of gray shorts, and 1 pair of gray socks.
Extras
- 1 gray warm-up jacket, 1 black warm-up pants
- 1 green backpack
*Note that all items are included in the price.
Cost: $525/season. We charge a one-time all inclusive fee per season that can be paid in up to two installments. If you do decide to pay in two installments then the cost is $560 for the season.
Who is the coach of the team?
Born in Canada of parents from Trinidad & Tobago, Justin began playing soccer at the age of 4 in the Montgomery County, MD area after moving to the United States in 1982. He’d play for various clubs between Montgomery and Howard counties, eventually representing the Maryland State team at the Olympic Development Program level at 17. He travelled with the state team to Europe to play against various teams from Scotland.
After graduating High School, he would move on to playing NCAA Division 1 College soccer for the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens for four years from 2000-2004. During his time in college, he also played for the Chesapeake Athletic Dragons, a semi-professional team in the United Soccer League.
Upon graduating from the University of Delaware, Justin decided to volunteer coach at the New Carrollton Boys & Girls Club. He enjoyed coaching so much, that he wanted to get into it full time. So in 2006, he co-founded a program called QuickFeet Soccer for Kids, a 2-7 year old program, for beginning soccer players. The program has since served over 30,000 kids in and around the Washington, D.C. area.
Click here to read more about Justin.
REFUND POLICY:
- If withdrawing before the beginning of the 4th practice session, the player will receive a pro-rated refund minus a $75 cancellation fee.
- After the 4th practice session, there will be no refunds.
- Partial refunds will not be given for missed practices, games, or tournaments.
TRYOUTS:
The 2016 Academy I team is by selection only and if your son would like to join the team, then he will need to attend two practice trial sessions. Official tryouts are held in the month of May annually, however, players can tryout at any time during the season. Click below to sign up for a trial.