Ela Soccer Club

The Ela Academy is a program designed for players younger than u9. The goal of the Academy is to help teach young players the basic skills of soccer in an environment that is conducive to learning. The Academy is also focused on introducing parents to the benefits of a travel soccer program, without the added expense that comes with league play.

Players chosen for the Academy are placed in age appropriate pools, rather than assigned to a specific team. As a group, they receive professional training with an emphasis technical skill development. They are also given the opportunity to play against one another in game-type situations. This allows for greater development without the pressure that comes with a need to win.

The current Academy schedule and team information can be found on the ACADEMY TEAM PAGE . Follow the link below :

1. Do players have to tryout for the Ela Academy?
   Yes.
    
2. What would be the criteria for players to be selected into the Academy?
   The Academy is seeking players who demonstrate a basic technical and athletic ability; are able to follow simple instructions; and have a positive attitude toward development.
    
3. Who will train the players in the Academy?
   Players are trained by our professional coaching staff.
    
4. Can a player be selected into the Academy after the tryouts?
   Yes.  Players can be added to the Academy anytime provided they meet the set criteria.
    
5. Why are the players pooled by age, rather than assigned to a team?
   Pooling the players provides the appropriate environment for skill development.  It allows for all of the kids to compete against one another without the worry of winning or losing.
    
6. How can my child fully develop if he is not in competitive games?
   The Academy does hold games within each age pool.  This gives the players the feel of game situations and allows them to hone their skills in a competitive environment.  However, the teams for the games are randomly assigned to ensure the focus remains on skill development.

The Pioneer Academy Team