About

The 8U Academy is designed to provide the highest quality development program for the area’s most motivated and committed 8-and-Under (8U) soccer players. Players born in the year 2012 (January 1-December 31) are eligible for this program.

It is intended for those children more seriously focused on soccer, and for players (and parents) who are willing to make a stronger commitment to prioritizing development above the social aspects of youth soccer.  It serves a “bridge” program to 9U Travel, although participation in 8U Academy does not guarantee or require participation in 9U Travel.

The 8U Academy is its own program, meaning players may participate in the 8U Academy or in the Rec 1 (Grades 1-2) program, but not both.

The program offers several unique benefits:
• A developmentally-appropriate curriculum with a heavy emphasis on individual technique, created and taught by licensed, professional coaches;
• Twice-per-week outdoor training in the Fall and Spring seasons;
• Intra-Academy games on Saturday morning with Professional Coaches;
• Potential cross-over matches with fellow Club Champions League (CCL) member clubs;
• Participation in the Herndon All-Star Cup November (optional; additional fee applies);
• Exclusive access to 8U Academy Winter Foot Skills (eight, once-per-week sessions), in conjunction with the club’s Winter training program (optional, additional fee applies);
• The Program includes Professional coaching at all Fall and Spring practices, games, and potential crossover games at no additional fee;
• The cost of the program is $425 per outdoor season.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 22, 2019 at 8 PM. No late registrations accepted.

FEE: $425 total to selected players. $156 is collected at registration, and the balance is collected after players are selected.

$412.50 program fee.  $12.50 Parks & Rec Fee is added. Players not selected will be placed into the Recreation 1 Program at no additional cost.

Curriculum

The curriculum — designed by Dan Raben, Director of Player Development and 8U Academy Director – features a heavy emphasis on individual ball mastery, allowing each player to become more comfortable, confident and creative with their foot skills, while nurturing their passion and enjoyment for soccer. Activities and games will follow the best practices of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. Each week of training will feature a theme, which will build off the themes from previous weeks, including:

• Dribbling for possession (changes of direction, shielding)
• Dribbling for penetration (attacking moves such as scissors, Matthews, step-overs, etc.)
• First touch
• Passing
• Finishing and ball-striking

The theme of each week will be encouraged and emphasized in the Intra-Academy matches on Saturdays, to allow players to practice their skills in a game environment.

Format

Approximately 72 players of each gender are selected to this program. Players will be organized into six groups (approximately 12 players per group), who will train together during the week under the direction of one of our 8U Academy coaches. Each group will be organized into two squads (Red and White) to compete against each other on Saturday morning, with both squads managed by the players’ coach that week. Games in the Fall season will be played 4v4 (no goalkeepers).

Groups are likely to change every week or two, which permits players to play with and against a variety of players while also working with each coach in the program. Families will receive notification each week in regards to their child’s assignment for that week, along with other updates.

Program Schedule

The 8U Academy will train twice per week during the Fall and Spring seasons, and will play Intra-Academy games on Saturdays. All sessions are at Loudoun Soccer Park on lighted, turf fields (19798 Sycolin Rd, Leesburg VA 20175).

Pre-Season Parent Orientation: Tuesday, August 20

Monday Training: 8/26, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28 (no training on 9/2)
5-6 PM – 8U Girls
6-7 PM – 8U Boys

Friday Training: 8/30, 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1
6-7 PM – 8U Girls
7-8 PM – 8U Boys

Saturday Match Day: 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2 (no games on 10/12)
9-10 AM – 8U Girls
10-11 AM – 8U Boys

Fall 2019 Registration Details - Prospective Players

Players who wish to join the 8U Academy for the Fall 2019 season must first complete the following steps:

• Step 1: Register your child in the 8U Academy program; all players must first be registered before attending an evaluation session (see below). Choose the 8U Academy option when registering. All players must be age appropriate (born between 1/1/12 and 12/31/12).  Players Deadline to register: June 25.
• Step 2: When registering, select one of three Evaluation dates for your child to attend (information on Evaluation dates are below).
• Step 3: Have your child attend and participate in their selected Evaluation date.

Evaluation Date #1: Wednesday, June 19 at Loudoun Soccer Park at Loudoun Soccer Park (19798 Sycolin Road, Leesburg Virginia 20175)
5:30-6:45 PM Girls

6:45-8 PM Boys

Evaluation Date #2: Wednesday, June 26 – at TBD field in South Riding-area.
5:30-6:45 PM Girls
6:45-8 PM Boys

Evaluation Date #3: Tuesday, July 16 at Loudoun Soccer Park at Loudoun Soccer Park (19798 Sycolin Road, Leesburg Virginia 20175)
5:30-6:45 PM Girls
6:45-8 PM Boys

• Step 4: Families will be contacted via email as to whether their child is selected on around July 19; if selected, families will receive additional registration and uniform ordering instructions. Those players not selected will be placed on a grade-appropriate Rec 1 (In-House) team.

Online registration for the Fall 2019 season will open the week of May20. Registration deadline for the 8U Academy is June 25.  Players selected for the Fall 2019 season are automatically eligible to continue in the Spring 2020 season.

Players who try out for the 8U Academy who are not selected will be placed on a team in our Rec program.  A mid-year evaluation will occur in February for players to join for the Spring 2020.

Players who are not selected are strongly encouraged to continue playing on a Recreation team to further their development, and may enroll in the Junior Development Program for additional training.

Uniforms

8U Academy uniforms are ordered through Capelli Sport. The kit includes:

• two numbered game jerseys (red and white)
• one numbered practice top
• one pair black shorts
• one pair red socks

Information on how to order uniforms will be sent to participating families around July 20. Orders must be placed by August 2.

8U Winter 2019 Indoor Training

Information coming soon!