Lenoir Youth Soccer Association offers an Academy Program for players in the 10U, 9U, and 8U age levels (US Youth Soccer Age Matrix).   Academy programs seek to improve individual player development, satisfaction, retention, and to build less pressured youth soccer environment for coaches, adult spectators, and match officials.

What is the Academy Program?
Academy programs have emerged as the 21st century alternative to the frustrating shortfalls in soccer development displayed by most preteens.  The void is heavily influenced by coaching quality and the pressures to win at critical periods in the development process.  Emphasis is placed on technical progress in the areas of dribbling, passing, receiving, striking balls, and basic decision-making.  This program is designed for players who are finding success in their recreational soccer experience and want to improve and learn about the game in a fun, exciting, and emotionally safe environment.

NC Youth Academy Resources

What are the benefits of Academy play?
The Academy Program philosophy is to emphasize player development over team development and focus on the technical development of each child without the pressures of short term wins/losses/results. This philosophy encourages players to be more creative and the playing environment becomes more enjoyable.

When Does the Academy Train?
All players train together two evenings each week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) during the Fall (August - November) and Spring (February - May) seasons.  Training sessions last approximately 90 minutes.

What is Pool Training?
Pool training enables an organization the ability to roster and retain more players as they grow and develop at various rates.  The Academy typically has 20-30 players of various ages and abilities that all train together.

Player Benefits
* Players can be grouped with appropriate ability levels
* Players can be challenged by moving throughout the levels of the pool
* Players are still a part of a team!

Coaching Benefits
* Coaches have the freedom to structure the teams to ensure appropriate competitions
* Players who need more or less competition can be easily placed within the pool
* Coaches have a larger team to develop and grow for future programming!

When Do Academy Players Play Matches?
Competitive matches (7v7 format) against other Academy programs are typically scheduled on 4 to 6 Saturday mornings each season at Academy Festivals within a 90-minute drive of Lenoir.  When participating in Academy Festivals, the Academy pool is divided into one or more teams of 12 players each.  Each team usually has 2 games scheduled against teams of similar playing levels at each Academy Festival.  LYSA hosts at least one Academy Festival at the Rotary Soccer Complex each season.

What is the Academy Placement Evaluation Process?
LYSA conducts placement evaluations for players in May and also has supplemental placement evaluations in December/January.  The evaluation process is ongoing throughout the season following the initial evaluation.  Some players will be best advised to continue their soccer development in our recreation program in the fall season.  While we recognize that we are working with younger players of differing physical and emotional development levels, we also understand that some players are not capable of reaching the expectations in the Academy Program.  Therefore, the first several weeks of Academy training will also serve as an evaluation period.  We feel players who are not prepared for the demands of the environment will not benefit from or enjoy the program.  Those players may be referred back to the Recreation Program.  Participation in the Academy's Spring season will be by invitation only.  If your player is not invited to continue in the program for the spring, we highly recommend that your player continue his/her soccer in our LYSA Recreation Program for further development.

What is the Cost of the Program?
Team Fee: $200
Uniform: $75

Team fees must be paid in full before a player will be added to the roster and allowed to play in competitive matches.  The team fee includes NCYSA player registration fee, LYSA player registration fee, field rental, referee fees, festival entry fees, supplies & equipment, administration costs, and coach's fees.  Team fees do not cover the cost of travel for individual families to out of town events.

The uniform fee includes a training shirt and a complete home uniform, including shorts and socks.  If a player does not need a complete uniform, items can be purchased separately.  The uniform costs are subject to change depending on supplier and shipping costs at the time uniforms are ordered over the summer.

Additional fees will need to be collected for players attending the Academy Showcase (~$25/player).

Financial Aid is available for families with a documented need who otherwise could not participate in the LYSA Academy Program.

Additional Information
NCYSA Youth Academy Program