Academy Program

General Information

The Academy program at Sumter Soccer Club is intended for players ages 8-11 participating on teams designated Under 9 (U9) through Under 12 (U12). Teams are available for both boys and girls pending that enough players are available for creation of a team. There may be more than one team in an age group if there are enough children interested in participating. In such cases, players will be grouped with other players that are closest to their skill set in an effort to provide every child the best situation for learning the game. Players are selected to participate in the Academy program by participation in player evaluations typically held in May of each year for the next soccer season beginning in the fall.

Children participating in teams that are designated as U9 or U10 play 7v7 per the recommendations of US Youth Soccer. Teams in these age groups generally roster up to 14 players per team.

For players participating on U11 and U12 teams, the format for play is 9v9. Teams in these age groups generally have rosters of 16 players per team.

It is our intention that players only participate within their age category and will generally not be encouraged to “Play up”. In the event that playing up at a higher age level provides a child a greater opportunity for development the age group coaches along with the Director of Coaching (DOC) can elect to place a child in a team of a higher age group.

The Academy program is aimed at player development for those players that have a desire to make soccer their primary sport and wish to prepare themselves with the skills necessary to play this game for a lifetime. This is a competitive environment and as such players will be expected to train not only with their coaches, but also on their own time outside of practice. Skill development is a direct correlation to the amount of time and effort invested in the development of skills.