Why Choose Academy vs. Recreational

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
• 9U or 10U player who will try-out for the 11U Select/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.