Academy (U-9 – U-12) – Sandy Spring Soccer Club

Academy: U-9 – U-12

The Sandy Spring Soccer Club (SSSC) Academy is designed for boys and girls born between 2014 – 2011 to enjoy, progress, and continue to develop their skills. This program is a 10 month commitment in the Spring (March – June), Fall (September – November), and Winter (December – February). The level of the players in this age group typically have previous soccer playing experience and consider soccer as their #1 sport at the moment. Players in the Academy program play in various leagues depending upon the skill level of the team. The leagues may range from the Maryland Developmental Soccer League (this league is mostly for players with minimal soccer playing experience), to the Elite Development Program (this league is mostly for competitive level players). These leagues allow players the opportunity to continue their development in environments based on their skill level.

At the SSSC Academy, we pride ourselves in teaching players the fundamentals of the game. 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. We are based in Sandy Spring, MD, a small town of less than 3,000 people, and although members come from a 20 mile radius from various parts of Montgomery County, Howard County, and Prince George’s County, we still enjoy the small town community when you join the club.

The SSSC Academy includes uniquely designed soccer sessions for players so that they can progress through various levels and technical sessions of 1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3, and 4 v 4. We make the sessions fun for the players through different types of exercises and scrimmages to increase the player’s technical skills and abilities throughout the program. During practice sessions, the players will experience small sided games of 3 v 3 and 4 v 4 mostly to ensure that they are receiving plenty of touches on the ball. Players will also spend a lot of time juggling as well as juggling on the run (depending upon skill level). The main focus in training will be to improve the individual and team’s speed of play.

As for games (this does not apply to the clinic program), the format will range between 5 v 5 to 7 v 7, depending on the league. The program and its sessions will not only help to build stronger players but will also grow their love for the game. Here are the programs that we are currently offering:

Winter Season: December 6, 2022 – March 3, 2023

Days: Tuesdays and Fridays (Trainings), Saturdays or Sundays (Games)

Who: Boys ages 8-11 years old. Players will train together during the week, but be divided by teams on gamedays.

Locations (varies weekly): Sherwood Elementary School Gym (1401 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Sandy Spring, MD 20860)

Cloverly Elementary School Gym (800 Briggs Chaney Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905)

Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School Gym (1200 Swingingdale Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20904)

*Note – Once you join the Academy then you will be added to the TeamSnap account with schedule on which location practices will be held on the Tuesdays and Fridays.

Times: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Some practices will be held from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.) Once you join the Academy this detail will be on the TeamSnap.

Games: Held on Saturdays and Sundays in Rockville at the Earle Wood Middle School. Winter indoor games are 5 v 5 including goalkeepers with a futsal style format.

*Note that once you join the program then you will receive the full detailed schedule via TeamSnap and be notified well in advance.

Uniforms: Your player will receive 2 jerseys, 2 pairs of shorts, and 2 pairs of socks. For practices, you will receive 1 training jersey. In addition to game and practice uniforms, your player will also receive a warm-up jacket and pants. This is all included in your fees and will not be charged additionally. All players must wear the correct uniform on game and practice days. Once you join then you will be notified of the practice and game attire.

Cost: $375. 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 $400 for the season.

Winter Clinic: January 5 – February 23, 2023

Days: Thursdays

Who: Boys & Girls ages 8-12 years old (Players will be divided into groups 8-10 year olds, 11-12 year olds)

Location: Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School Gym (1200 Swingingdale Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20904) –

Time: (8-10 year olds) – 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Time: (11-12 year olds) – 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Cost – $75 – prorated amount (Includes 1 training jersey, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of socks that must be worn at all times during the training sessions).

Spring Season: March 8 – June 24, 2023

Days: Wednesdays and Fridays (Trainings), Saturdays or Sundays (Games)

Who: Boys & Girls U-9 – U-12. Players will be divided into their teams where they will train and play games together. There will be no more than 12 players per team.

Locations (varies weekly): Sandy Spring Friends School (16923 Norwood Rd, Sandy Spring, MD 20860)

Times: 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

League: Held on Saturdays and/or Sundays at the Sandy Spring Friends School. We play in the Maryland Development Soccer League (MDSL). Games are 7 v 7 including goalkeepers. We will play 7-8 games during the season.

*Note that once you join the program then you will receive the full detailed schedule via TeamSnap and be notified well in advance.

Tournaments: We will participate in 2 tournaments in the month of March and 2 tournaments in the month of June.

Cost: $395. 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 $430 for the season.

Location (Outdoors):

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.