Savannah United Academy
The Savannah United Academy program is designed for boys and girls in the 8U - 12U age groups who aspire for advanced development opportunities. The focus of this program is skill development and advancement in a fun, competitive, and rewarding environment. Our nationally licensed and certified professional coaching and training staff is proud of its highly competitive international and professional playing and coaching experience. United Academy's focus on technical proficiency and skill development is an ideal preparation for players aspiring to play Classic / Athena, in high school, college, and for the Olympic Development Program (ODP).
Academy teams train two times weekly, however every player has the opportunity to add additional nights of training each week upon request. United's Academy teams play weekend matches against teams from other clubs around the Georgia area with a majority of those games being played in the Savannah area. Additionally, Academy teams will participate in 1-2 out of town tournaments each season. Our aim is to keep the travel at a minimum, the pressure to perform reasonable, and technical proficiency and skill development as the primary objective for children of these ages.
Expectations
Savannah United's Academy program and its players make a mutual one-year commitment, which lasts until the tryout period the following year. While you are playing at United, we ask that you give careful consideration to absences so that the effect on other players is minimized. Regular attendance at practice sessions is encouraged and rewarded.
United expects players who represent the club to maintain high standards of personal behavior both on and off the field. We place great importance on academics and expect players to organize their activities to accommodate both schoolwork and soccer at high levels of achievement. We look to parents to ensure that their Savannah United players reach games and practices on time, to attend whenever possible with a positive attitude.
Tryouts
Positions on Academy teams are competitively awarded and skill based. Savannah United holds open tryouts where interested players are evaluated by our coaching and training staff as well as guest evaluators from colleges and high schools. The skills, attitude and potential each player exhibited at these tryouts are considered when team positions are offered. It is the nature of these programs and inherent in the selection process that not every player will be offered a team position. We urge players who are not selected to take advantage of Savannah United’s Recreational program, supplemental training opportunities, and soccer camps to advance their skills and prepare for next year’s tryouts.
If you are interested in playing for Savannah United and have further questions on the Academy program offered, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly office staff. They will be able to help you find the answers you are looking for!!!
Academy Graduates
SSA Savannah United has a Tradition of Elite Player Development. Some exceptional players have been developed through our Academy Program, including a number of standouts:
Morgan Brian (Houston Dash / US Women's National Team)
Sh'nia Gordon (ECNL / West Virginia Mountaineers)
Sha'Nya Stephens (ECNL)
Grace Kiser (ECNL)
Sarah Duckworth (ECNL / Clemson Tigers)
Erin O'Hearn (ECNL / Furman Paladins)
Jaelyn Gadson (ECNL / Auburn Tigers)
Indiana Vassilev (US Dev Academy / U17 Boys US National Team / Aston Villa)
Nico Rittemeyer (US Dev Academy / UNC Tar Heels)
Jack Rittemeyer (US Dev Academy / Georgia Southern Eagles)
Paolo Alcocer (US Dev Academy / U17 Boys Bolivian National Team)
Ben Jones (US Dev Academy)
Winter Jones (US Dev Academy)
Erik Ulloa (US Dev Academy)
Jesus Ulloa (US Dev Academy)
Caleb Drabek (Atlanta United - US Dev Academy)
Bryant Jackson (Atlanta United - US Dev Academy)
Carter Smith (Jacksonville Armada - US Dev Academy)
Christopher Wadrose (Jacksonville Armada - US Dev Academy)
Liam Climans (Jacksonville Armada - US Dev Academy)
ACADEMY PROGRAM COST PER YEAR (FALL & SPRING SEASON)
Registration/Training Fees
- 9U - $880
- 10U - $880
- 11U - $1,030
- 12U - $1,150
Uniform Fees:
Specific information regarding uniforms will be communicated to those individuals who are selected for the Academy Program. You can place your uniform order
HERE
Tournament Fees:
Tournament fees vary from team to team, based on the level and ambition of the group. Average is $75 per out of town event and $50 for a local event.
Financial Assistance:
If you have questions about the cost for this program and are concerned that your child may not be able to participate due to financial limitations, please contact our office at 912-691-2472 to discuss our financial aid process.
Registration
In order to register for the Academy program, you must be selected through a tryout process. Tryouts are held each year in late May or early June. If you are new to the area or plan on moving to Savannah, please email Academy Director Keith Gunn at
[email protected] for more information.
You can find more information about our upcoming tryouts by clicking
here.