The U9/U10 age group is extremely important to the development of youth soccer players in Iowa and it is vital to create an appropriate developmental environment without making the environment too competitive or restrictive, resulting in players leaving the sport. Currently players in the U9 age group participate together irrespective of skill, athletic ability or physical size. The Iowa Soccer Association believes that by changing the U10 environment to accommodate different athletic abilities and levels of play that there will be many benefits for U9 players.
The difference between participating in an academy program or recreational program is the level of investment, commitment and interest that a player and their family has in soccer. To help best decide what level of pay is most appropriate for your child look at the characteristics of an Academy player:
League Format
Academy Fees
Cost: 2011-2012 Fees $260 per season
Fees cover the costs for:
Academy vs. Recreational - How to choose?
The difference between participating in an academy program or recreational program is the level of investment, commitment and interest that a player and their family has in soccer. To help best decide what level of pay is most appropriate for your child look at the characteristics of an Academy player:
- Demonstrates sound technical skills (control, dribbling, and shooting)
- Physically stronger than most players within their age group
- Athletically quicker than most players within their age group
- High level of coordination and good agility
- During games is aggressive in their attitude and approach to getting involved
- During games tends to dominate the play
- Demonstrates high level of focus and concentration during practices and games
- Started to narrow down the number of extra-curricular activities
- Soccer is a high priority
- Practices with a ball on own time outside scheduled games & practices
- U9 or U-10 player who will try-out for the U11 competitive age group
If your child displays a majority of the characteristics listed they are probably more suited to that level of play. However, it should be noted that during a player's soccer development they may move back and forth between academy and recreational play.
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- Academy teams cannot be formed on the basis of talent and must be formed as true recreational teams.
- Academy teams will be mixed each season to improve the developmental environment and to place the focus on the individual, not the team.
- Maximum roster size is 10 players, recommended roster size is 8 players.
- Free movement of academy players is allowed in academy clubs to fulfill fixture commitments.
- Double rostering on recreational teams is not permitted.
- Guest playing is not permitted on non academy teams in U9/U10 recreational tournament play.
League Format
- Teams will play 7-8 league games per season.
- Games cannot be rescheduled unless cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Cancelled games will be rescheduled by the individual clubs, not ISA.
- Games will be scheduled on Saturday mornings (where possible).
- Member clubs will be responsible for referee assignment. The ISA Academy League will not assign referees.
- Schedules will be posted on an ISA Academy League website.
Academy Fees
Cost: 2011-2012 Fees $260 per season
Fees cover the costs for:
- Academy application fee
- League dues (Iowa Soccer Association)
- Prairie Ridge Sports Complex fees (field development and maintenance)
- Administration fees
- Referee fees
- Professional coaching at training
Fall Team Assignments coming soon
Fall 2011 Training will start on August 15th
Monday & Wednesday
U9 Boys 5:40-6:50pm
U9 Girls 6:50-8:00pm
Tuesday & Thursday
U10 Boys 5:40-6:50pm
U10 Girls 6:50-8:00pm
Friday - Additional Training Offered, more details to come in August
Schedules
You can verify your team's schedule at: http://www.iowasoccer.org/U0910_Academy
