Academy is the next step for players who love the game and want to grow beyond recreational soccer. It’s built for players who are ready to challenge themselves and develop in a more competitive environment.

Our program is offered for Boys and girls born in the following years 

For the 25/26 season all players  from 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 (Under 7 to Under 10) can see what soccer fun is all about. Learn great skills from National Youth Licensed instructors in a non-competitive atmosphere.

The emphasis is on personal development, not winning games. This program is open to all skill levels and we encourage beginners!

Academy and Junior Academy programs were created to address the developmental gaps that often exist in traditional pre-teen soccer. Too much emphasis on winning and inconsistent coaching can interfere with a child’s long-term growth at these critical ages.

The Academy model focuses on individual player development, enjoyment, and long-term engagement in the sport—while creating a healthier, lower-pressure environment for players, coaches, parents, and referees.

Many of the coaches in the CVYSA Academy hold the U.S. Soccer National Youth License, a specialized coaching certification that emphasizes age-appropriate training and best practices for children ages U6 to U12.

Each age group in the CVYSA Youth Academy follows a thoughtfully designed curriculum that supports players as they grow and progress through the program. The curriculum is created by our Director of Coaching and Academy Director using modern, research-based methods for developing young players, and it is explained in more detail at the Academy Parents Meeting.

There is a clear pathway from one age group to the next, ensuring that players build on what they have already learned rather than starting over each season.

Training is built around the four key components of the game: technical, tactical, physical, and mental development. At these ages, the strongest emphasis is on technical development—helping players become confident and capable with the ball in realistic game situations—while also nurturing their physical abilities and mindset.

Players train in age-appropriate, engaging sessions that include:

Technical development:

• Dribble and maintain individual possession
• Pass using different parts of the foot (inside, outside, laces, and heel)
• Receive and control ground balls and balls in the air
• Finish and score goals
• Defend through tackling and applying pressure

Basic tactical understanding:

• Defending in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 situations, including pressure and support
• Attacking in 1v1 and 3v3 situations, including how to support the player on the ball
• Transitions—what to do when the team wins or loses possession

Mental development:

• We emphasize a positive learning environment that builds confidence, self-worth, and enjoyment of the game through encouragement and constructive feedback.

Physical development:

• Players develop coordination, running, sprinting, changing direction, flexibility, and safe physical contact through soccer-specific activities.

Every training session finishes with a scrimmage, allowing players to apply what they’ve learned in a fun, game-like setting.

Players will train twice per week for 75 mins. 

Players participate in weekend festival-style games during both the Fall and Spring seasons. These events emphasize development and enjoyment, with no scores or standings recorded.