ACADEMY RECREATIONAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Sporting Gainesville Academy is an advanced recreational soccer program for players U7 through U12.

The Academy uses a professional coaching staff, a comprehensive curriculum, and optimal competition levels to help bridge the gap between recreational soccer and more advanced play for young boys and girls ages 6 through 11. A pathway for player development will be provided for every player to progress as far as they choose…whether they simply just want to learn more about the sport they love, or have dreams and aspirations of much more.

The program stresses player development over game results. It is much more important that we develop players within the proper framework of the game at this age, as opposed to demanding team wins at all costs. The curriculum will be predominantly directed at building a sound technical base for the player to build on as he/she grows. Comfort and touch on the ball, dribbling skills and passing technique will be paramount.

PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT

The GNV Academy is a pathway to bridge the gap between recreational soccer and more advanced play for young boys and girls ages 6 through 11 in the “Golden Years” of learning. A trained, experienced coaching staff following a rich, thoughtful curriculum based on technical mastery will ensure proper development of individual skill and technique, while developing confidence and creativity on the ball. A teaching model stressing development over game results will be implemented, enabling every player to progress as far as they choose, while developing a passion for the game that will provide them with a lifetime of playing, watching and loving soccer.

SEASONS

There are two separate Academy seasons each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Each season is nine weeks in length. The fall season starts in early September, while the spring season begins mid-February.

SEASON OVERVIEW

We do not use parent volunteer coaches in the Academy. We use only paid coaches, with experience coaching and/or playing soccer at a high level. All of our coaches follow a soccer curriculum designed by our senior staff centered around teaching proper technique and comfort with the ball.

All players will be evaluated early in the season in attempt to divide our teams as evenly as possible. Some players will be moved into older age groups, if necessary to challenge them appropriately.

Due to popular demand, we will return to having an all girls Academy alongside our all boys Academy!

All games and training sessions are held at GNV’s Jonesville Soccer Park.

All players will receive a written evaluation at the end of the year, and will be considered for possible selection to our Competitive  program.

PRACTICE/GAME DAYS

The Spring 2026 season will start the week of February 23rd and run through the week ending April 30th.

COACHES

We do NOT use parent or volunteer coaches. We use only paid coaches, with experience coaching and/or playing soccer at a high level. All of our coaches follow a set soccer curriculum designed by our senior staff centered around teaching proper technique and comfort with the ball.

TRYOUTS

Playing in the Academy does not require a tryout.

All players will be evaluated early in the season in attempt to divide our teams as evenly as possible. This allows us to create more evenly divided teams for optimal competition. Some players can be moved into older age groups (with parental consent), if necessary to challenge them appropriately.

2025-2026 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

The age groups below are for both the Fall and Spring Seasons.

Divisions are based on birth year:

Jan 2018 - July 2020: U8/U7/U6 Teams
2016-2017: U10

2014-2015: U12

Playing in the Academy does not require a tryout.

SPRING 2026 SCHEDULE

The Spring 2026 season will start the week of February 23 and run through the week ending April 30.

BOYS ACADEMY

U6/U7/U8 (born January 2018-July 2020)
Monday and Wednesday

5:15 – 6:30 pm

U10 (born 2016-2017)

Monday and Wednesday

6:30 to 8:00 pm

U12 (born 2014-2015)

Tuesday and Thursday

6:30 to 8:00 pm

GIRLS ACADEMY

U6/U7/U8 (born January 2018-July 2020)

Monday and Wednesday

5:15 to 6:30 pm

U9/U10/U11/U12 (born 2014-2017)

Monday and Wednesday

6:30 to 8:00 pm

There are no sessions from March 16-20 due to Alachua County Public Schools spring break.

COST

$250/season

This price includes all training, game, facility, association, and insurance fees, as well as two game/practice jerseys.

There are no additional fees.

For more information contact:

Academy Director: Aimee Womack: aimee.womack@sportinggainesville.com