The Academy program is designed for players interested in a transitional program from the traditional Recreational program to a more competitive Select program. Players in this program are exposed to a more intensive and competitive level than recreational and the focus is on developing the proper technical and tactical foundation that is crucial for the Select program. Commitment is required while fun is still being promoted. Academy participation is a one-year commitment consisting of Fall and Spring seasons.

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          •Youths ages 8-11 (U9 - U12) 
          •Gender based
          •Selections through annual try-outs in June and assessments during winter
          •Player evaluation during Fall and Spring 
          •Participation in clinics

Practices
          •Professional coaching for all training sessions, practices and games
          •Volunteer Team Manager
          •Two - 1 ½ hours/week practices

Games
          •Inter-League games scheduled by UFA
          •U9 – U10 teams play 6v6 sided games
          •U11 – U12 teams play 8v8 sided games (U12 top teams may play 11v11)

Fees

Notes:
(1)   U8-U14 will have a payment plan option of 5 monthly installments.  If you register after October 15th, your number of monthly installments will be reduced so all fees are paid by March 1.
(2)   U15-U19 Select will have a payment plan option of 3 monthly installments.  If you register after August 2, your number of monthly installments will be reduced so all fees are paid by November 1.

Additional Fees:

• Optional Third practice with your own professional coach (one hour): $100 per season    
• Tournament fees are shared by all team members, regardless of individual participation
• Dawson County Parks & Recreation now has a MANDATORY TURF SHOE policy for practices. Turf or rubber-soled shoes are required for practices, in order to preserve the fields for games. Cleats may be used for games

Fee includes: Georgia Soccer registration and insurance, Team Camp, referee fees, education, field use, league administration, and professional training and coaching and  uniform kit.

Additional Information
The Academy Program differs from the Select Program in that each club is responsible for setting their own schedule to help minimize travel. With the Academy Program, travel is primarily within the metro Atlanta area. One of the main benefits of each club having control over its own schedule is that each team will be scheduled against opponents of similar strength and ability

In the Academy Program there is flexibility to move players from team to team, and age group to age group. This flexibility will allow, when necessary, girls to play with boys, younger players to play with older players, and medium-skilled kids to play with high-level players. Movements such as these are dictated by the Academy Director and are always in the best interest (developmentally) of the player.