2017 Boys Junior Academy I

PROGRAM – JUNIOR ACADEMY

LEVEL – CLASSIC

STAGE – DEVELOPMENTAL

The 2017 Boys Academy I team is a Classic Level team that plays mostly in Montgomery County. The team typically plays vs. Classic to Low-Level Travel teams.

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) 2017 Academy I team is the 1st team in the age group. However, this doesn’t mean that the team plays against the top competition from other clubs. We do our best to align the team with their level of play. This team is recommended to play a 10 month season in the 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 during the off-season.

Players who typically tryout or play for this team have advanced from the Recreation program. Although this is not a travel team, this team hopes to add players to become a travel team in the future.

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 – 7:30 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.

WHICH LEAGUE DOES THE TEAM CURRENTLY PLAY IN?

The team plays games in the Maryland Developmental Soccer League during the Fall and Spring seasons. The team also has the option to play Futsal in the Winter. 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.

WHAT TOURNAMENTS WILL THE TEAM PLAY IN?

The team attends 4-6 tournaments throughout the 7-10 month season. Ideally the plan is to attend 3 tournaments in the fall, 1 tournament in the winter, and 2 tournaments in the spring. But this will all be determinant on how the players are progressing individually and how the team is playing. This team currently is too young for most tournaments, but see the tournaments that the team will be playing in. Tournaments are always subject to change.

Fall Season

  • August – Frederick Scrimmagefest (Frederick, MD)
  • November – MDSL Fall Breakout (Silver Spring, MD)

Winter Season

  • January – MLK Cup (Washington, D.C.)
  • February – MDSL Futsal Classic (Rockville, MD)

Spring Season

  • March – MDSL Spring Classic (Silver Spring, MD)
  • May – MDSL Memorial Cup (Silver Spring, MD)
  • June – Doradus Scrimmagefest (Springfield, VA)

*Note – The tournaments above are subject to change.

HOW MUCH TO JOIN THE TEAM AND WHAT DO WE RECEIVE?

Joining the 2017 Academy I team is all about player development and teaching the kids how to play well to win games in the future. Winning is nice but it is not a priority. We would rather lose playing well, than to win playing poorly. This team is considered to still be in the Developmental Stage of the player development pyramid and technical skills are the primary focus at this level.

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?

Joshua Burton – Bio coming soon!

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.