Parents and Players,

If you are interested in playing for Team Evanston for 2010-2011 season, now is your chance to get a head start. There are still openings in the Team Evanston Soccer Academy.....

What is the Team Evanston Academy?

» The Academy is Team Evanston’s offering for U7 and U8 players for the 2009/2010 seasons. The goal of the academy is to provide an opportunity for players to grow their individual soccer skills in a fun and low-pressure environment as an introduction to competitive soccer.

» The emphasis for the academy is individual skill development through work with professional coaches.

» All Academy participants will have 2 technical practices per week and one small-sided match on Saturday afternoon.

What are the objectives of the Academy?

» Emphasis on individual time with the ball to promote skill development

» A structured curriculum that promotes skill development across all levels of players in the Academy

» Repetition of technical skills that are essential in the development of players

» Professional training by coaches that will follow the defined Academy curriculum

» Provide small sided games so that players have a chance to use the skills that they learned during the week

» Small sided games are extremely beneficial to player development. 

Are there tryouts?

» No, any player can enter the Academy. We do ask that players come to what is labeled as a tryout in Team Evanston brochures, but will actually be a chance to sample the academy concept. The first evaluation date will be a sample of Academy training, and the second date will be a small amount of training but also a chance to play games.

» Registration is on the Team Evanston website.

How do I know if my player is a U7 or U8?

» U8 players are born on August 1, 2001 or later » U7 players are born on August 1, 2002 or later » If you have a question about these dates, please email us.

Are other clubs offering the same type of program?

» We have had extensive conversations with some of the area’s more established programs in Palatine and Barrington. Both are embracing this concept for their youngest players.

» Many area clubs do not offer a program for 8 year olds. Through affiliations at a park district level or other club relationships, many area clubs enjoy an association between younger age recreational programs and a travel program. Some recreational programs essentially follow an academy type program without publicizing it as such.

» The program was developed with input from Director of Coaching John McGeown and Team Evanston coach (and Illinois Olympic Development Staff Coach) Michael Arango, and determined to be better suited for the development of young soccer players.

What about competition? My player just loves the competition that comes during games?

» Simply put, the Academy model is US Soccer’s recommended format for the development of young soccer players.

» Anytime a player is in a game against an opponent, there is competition. We expect that our small-sided games will fill the player’s need for competitive games. Ultimately, the higher ability level of all players will provide that competition.

» The Academy model allows for the changing of teams each week. That flexibility will allow us to place players in their best competitive environment.

How is this different from AYSO?

» Just about every Team Evanston player starts in AYSO. It provides a great start and opportunity to play soccer in Evanston. We plan on offering a skill development piece that can be missing from AYSO practices through the use of professional coaches and a defined curriculum. We also believe that the nature of the Academy will have more motivated and ultimately skilled players participating in our small-sided games.

» Because Academy players will not have Sunday Academy activities, players are free to do both the Academy and AYSO if desired.

What is included in our fee?

» The Academy model will allow for a more economical alternative for our families. While Team Evanston fees are close to $900, we hope to be able to offer the academy at about $500. The exact fee will be set by June 1.

» 8 weeks of training (2X per week) and small sided games (1X per week) starting after Labor Day and continuing through October.

» 7 weeks of training in (2X per week) the spring and small sided games (1X per week).

» Academy team uniform

When and where will Academy teams practice and play?

» Our current discussion with the City of Evanston would have space for the Academy on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at either Lovelace or Bent Park and Saturday afternoon games starting around 3:00.