The Academy Fall 2011 schedule is in the process of being put together and will be posted soon.

The Academy is for players aged 7 through 12* who want to participate in a quality program of instruction, fun, and age-appropriate competition. We are very pleased with our combination of great training and Saturday Festivals, which provide opportunities for several clubs to come together for games without the necessity of traveling very far from home. Academy players also enjoy participating in TASA's own tournament, the Rose City Soccer Challege, which will be held this fall on October 1-2.
New players are welcome and are encouraged to participate!

Please note these age guidelines for 2011-2012:
Under 10, born on or after 8-1-01 (From 8-1-01 to 7-31-03). U10 players should be 9 years old or younger as of July 31, 2011.
Under 12, born on or after 8-1-99 (From 8-1-99 to 7-31-01). U12 players should be 11 years old or younger as of July 31, 2011.
Exceptions can be made for both younger and older players.

PRACTICES are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:00pm.
Players may join the academy at any time during the season.
Please send us an email letting us know of your child's interest, or get answers to your registration questions, by contacting Cyndi Boswell at .
Parents may download registration materials from the Forms section of the website or may obtain a copy of the registration forms at the field. Payment of the $50 registration deposit is requested at the time of registration, and new players should place a Uniform Order. Players should wear shin guards and suitable footwear, and bring a ball if possible. Players new to TASA should provide a copy of their birth certificate.
Fee information is posted on the Fee Structure page.

*Each team pays an entry fee for tournaments. The team manager will assess and collect each player's share. Teams have the option of paying some or all of their Rose City entry fee through the sale of tournament ads--contact the team manager or tournament director for more information about this option.

Information about the Southern Soccer Academy Alliance:
TASA has joined a number of other clubs in the south Georgia/north Florida area in the Southern Soccer Academy Alliance (SSAA). This is an important and significant step that will enhance player development in our area. In addition to high program standards explained below, the SSAA has the practical advantage of offering flexible, convenient playdate scheduling.
SSAA MISSION:

SSAA MISSION:

The Academy Program is an alternative to the traditional recreational and select (traveling) team programs. It offers boys and girls in the Under 10 and Under 12 age groups the opportunity for advanced development in soccer through a more sophisticated curriculum. Academy soccer focuses on development of individual skills, and provides the opportunity to apply those skills in a competitive environment. Young players with a strong interest in soccer will find Academy Soccer to be an excellent introduction to the Select level of play.
Academy soccer follows a training curriculum that is fun, but also conducive to optimum player development. The goal of this program is to implement the United States Soccer Federation's guidelines and recommendations for youth player development. The objective of our curriculum is to develop each of the four components of a player in an appropriate manner: technical, tactical, psychological, and physical.
The Academy Program challenges players to improve through solid instruction and encouragement. All learning in the Academy is achieved in a fun and safe environment.
The Southern Soccer Academy Alliance (SSAA) is designed to allow all academy players the opportunity to participate in competitive games in a learning environment. All clubs involved have agreed to the above principles for Academy Soccer. This means winning is secondary to development!

TASA RAIDERS ACADEMY PROGRAM (U10 and U12 ages)
Designed to serve as a bridge between recreation and competitive soccer

The Raiders Academy program started in 2003 as an in-house program that focused on skill development and fun.  We pooled boys and girls ages 8-12 together for professional instruction, creative activities, and small-sided games at Remington Park.  Success was measured by improved fundamentals and not winning and losing. Our belief in creating a stress-free environment where young players could grow comfortable with the soccer ball has grown throughout many soccer clubs in Georgia and North Florida.  Our aim has always been to help young players learn the basics of the game of soccer and create various avenues where they can master control of the soccer ball and decision-making. We have places both for the gifted natural athlete and the not-so-gifted--the critical ingredients are commitment and interest in the game.

One of these avenues has been the creation of Academy Festivals where soccer clubs from our region gather for Saturday friendly games.  No standings are ever kept at the festivals so the learning process can be fully enjoyed.   Unlike some sports or teams where results are the main concern, the Academy festivals allow players to make mistakes, learn from the game, and improve their overall skill level.  In our competitive culture, it is a relief to know that so many other soccer clubs are realizing the need to create Academies where young players can learn the beautiful game of soccer and have fun without feeling the pressure of winning and losing.

Successful Academy players are not necessarily gifted natural athletes--they are simply players with an interst in the sport who are willing to make a reasonable commitment to our program. Our curriculum and positive atmosphere do the rest!

PARENT EXPECTATIONS

TASA requires very high standards of behavior and respect for the game from our staff, our players, and our parents. We expect our parents to cheer and support our teams as well as the opponents during competition.  It is imperative that parents do not coach from the sideline.  We feel the players need to make their own decisions on the field and sideline coaching is most often a distraction.  Our staff coaches will serve as teachers during the game and try to pick the right moments to offer a teaching lesson. Positive, cheering parents play an important role in our soccer family and we need your total trust in our development system. 

• Create a non-stress atmosphere where players are exposed to the game with an emphasis on skill development
  
• Create an environment where players are allowed to flourish in a competitive arena except that winning is not the determinant of success. In this environment the instillation of quality is more important than short-term success.
  
• Create the needed flexibility in the program rules so that teaching takes precedence over game administration. The only outcomes measured are learning and fun; not scores and standings.