U8 Academy
CiTY U8 Academy 2023-24 season
The CiTY U8 Academy is designed for soccer players and families that are looking for a challenging and positive environment focused on player development. The U8 Academy serves as a bridge between our REC program and competitive CiTY travel teams where players will be trained by professional CiTY coaches using a structured, age-appropriate curriculum designed to challenge players while still making practices and games fun.
The CiTY U8 Academy is a full-year program that runs late August - early November and March - May. The 2023-24 program is open to players born in 2016 and 2017 that are looking for a challenging, age appropriate training environment that will develop technical skills and help players prepare for travel soccer. Practices are 2x/week with a weekend game. See program overview below for details.
Tryouts and player evaluations will be held for the CiTy U8 Academy in May. Please see CiTY Tryouts for dates/times and location. Please contact Tim Lane, U8 Academy Director at u8academy@ellicottcitysc.
Program Goals
- Create a positive, fun, learning environment
- Focus on individual skill development, ball mastery, agility, balance and coordination
- Introduce basic, age-appropriate tactical and team concepts
- Identify and develop future CiTY travel players and families
- Familiarize players and families to the demands of travel soccer without the pressure
- Help players develop a passion for the game!
u8 academy Program Overview
Full Year Program
Winter U8 program is separate from U8 Academy
Eligibility -Boys and Girls born in 2016 & 2017
Structured, age appropriate training curriculum and activity calendar
Practices - 2x/week run by CiTY staff coaches
Games - 6-8 small-sides game dates per season
U8 Academy players will play 4v4 games against other local club or in local leagues
Games will focus on player development and scores will not be kept
All players will receive a customized CiTY size 4 soccer ball included in the program fee
Academy Director - Tim Lane
Advantages of Small-sided games
Players get more touches on the ball
Players make more soccer decisions
Allows focus on age-appropriate technique and tactics
Smaller field improves agility, coordination, and fitness
Creates a challenging and fun, age-appropriate environment
Easier communication between coaches and players
U8 Academy Fees 2023-24
| AGE | Birth Year | Club Dues | Team Fees | Fundraiser | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U8 Academy | 2016/17 | $175 | $700 | $100 | $975 |
u8 academy Uniforms
CiTY U8 Academy uniforms are not included in the program fees. All U8 Academy participants will receive a separate uniform ordering link through soccer.com. U8 Academy uniform includes 2 shirts, shorts, socks and a sack pack. Additional CiTY gear can be ordered separately.
Please contact Tim Lane, U8 Academy Director at u8academy@ellicottcitysc.org with any questions.