Q: What is the Academy Program?
A: The SESA Academy program is a professionally ran, player development first program. This program is for players that are interested in a higher level of training. 

Q: How do I chose between Academy and Recreational soccer?
A: The difference between participating in an academy program or a recreational program lies in the level of investment, commitment and interest about 8 and 9 year old and their parents/guardians. Listed below are the characteristics of typical players who would participate in an Academy Program.  If your child displays a majority of the characteristics listed they are probably more suited to that level of play. 
• 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 in their own time outside regular schedule of games & practices
• U10 player who will try-out for the U11 competitive age group in the following year.

Q: Who can participate in the Academy program?
A: The academy program is open to any player (boys and girls with dates of birth between ages 8-9) who have a desire to further develop their soccer skills and receive professional training. Special request for players playing up must be approved by the Director of Coaching. The academy structure will follow the guidelines established by the Iowa Soccer Association. Please feel free to contact Chris Madigan, SESA's Director of Coaching with any questions.

Q: What is the Academy Program Philosophy?
A: The U9 & U10 age groups are part of what is often coined as the ‘Golden Age’ of player development. This is because during  in this phase players have an increased capacity for learning. Therefore, SESA coaches would like to maximize player development during this limited window by providing the best possible environment. Our professional coaching staff looks at player development thoroughly and understands the present need of this age group while, at the same time, retaining the long term vision of the ideal goal of helping every player reach their full soccer potential.

Q: What does practice involve?
A: Players will have the opportunity to train three nights per week; twice under the direction of the professional coaching staff and one session with a qualified parent coach, who holds an USSF E-License.  Training sessions last approximately 90 minutes in duration. A flexible training schedule will be created to accommodate multi-sport activity participants.

Q: When and where are games played?
A: Academy teams will play in the Eastern Iowa Premier Soccer League and play approximately 6-8 matches. Academy boys matches will most likely be played on Saturday and girls Academy on Sundays. Academy clubs must still follow developmental play guidelines (e.g players must experience 50% playing time in matches). The  emphasis is placed on creating a playing environment that is more conducive to the individual as opposed to team development. SESA home games are played at the Burlington Recreational Complex while away games are all played in surrounding communities (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Muscatine).

Q: Do Academy team play in tournaments?
A: In addition to the league matches, the teams will also participate in 3 festivals per year, 2 in the fall and 1 in the spring. 

Q: Who coaches the Academy teams?
A: Players will have the opportunity to train three nights per week with a USSF licensed coach; twice under the direction of the professional coaching staff and one session with a qualified parent coach. Every coach must hold a minimum the USSF 'E' License in order to be eligible to coach a team (waivers or accepted for coaches working towards licenses). A flexible training schedule will be created to accommodate multi-sport activity participants.

Q: How are teams formed?
A: SESA will form balanced teams for competition and will restructure the team from the fall season to the spring season to ensure that our focus remains on the individual.

Q: What is the cost to participate?
A: The cost of the program is $594, plus the cost of uniform.

Q: What do the players wear?
A: Players will wear a SESA uniform on game days, these can be ordered through soccer.com.  Players also wear a SESA club training shirt for all training sessions.

Q: How do I register for the Academy program?
A: You can register for the Academy program by clicking here.

Q: Is my child covered (insurance) if they get injured?

A:  Yes, if your son or daughter is injured while playing soccer, the clubs have secondary insurance (through Iowa Soccer Association) that will cover what their primary insurance does not (minus a $500 deductible). For serious injuries this can be a significant amount. For example, if you experience a torn ACL and go through surgery and rehab it can cost as much as $27,500 in billed expenses for everything (surgery, medication, physical therapy, etc.)  Of that portion, families often have to pay a certain amount.  Our members have secondary insurance  via the Iowa Soccer Association?”  Click here on this link and fill out a form. Please note you have a 15 month window to report the injury.