⚽ Windsor Athletic FC – Junior Academy Orientation (U9/U10) ⚽


⚽ WELCOME AND THANKS FOR JOINING

 Our leadership team…

  • James Walters - Executive Director 
  • Ceri Jones - President 
  • Adam Zayed - Technical Director 
  • Megan Coffey - Director of Operations and Services 
  • Mark Sellon - Community Development Officer 


It's a small, focused group, and we take great pride in the environment we create and the club culture we’re building.

Tonight’s meeting is to help you better understand how our Junior Academy operates and to highlight the player development journey ahead for your child.


✅ Player Placements on Wednesday - May 21st 

  • Will make phone calls next week with verbal offers - we don’t have a time constraint on offers - all that matters is what's best for the player/families - no 24/48 hour rule 
  • 2017s - 4.30-5.30PM @Severance High School - Grass fields
  • 2016s - 5.30-6.30PM @Severance High School - Grass fields 
  • If you can’t make it please let myself or leadership know 
  • All registration will be through PlayMetrics - our communication channel
  • You’ll set up payments there, see all club communication, your teams game schedule etc
  • 2017s - two “level” teams - boys and girls 
  • 2016s - Will evaluate based on developmental needs - depends on numbers, coaches etc




📋 WHAT IS THE JUNIOR ACADEMY?

  • Developmental program for players born in 2017 and 2016 (U9 & U10)
  • Bridge between recreational and competitive soccer
  • Competes in the CSA Front Range League
  • Two seasons:
    • Fall: Early August – Late November
    • Spring: Late February – Late May
  • Cost for the program - $850 for the year - Fall/Spring - (excluding uniforms)
  •  Approximately $150 for uniforms 
  • Typically plays in 1–2 tournaments per season (dates TBD) - in-state/lower cost
  • Mid-season and end-of-season evaluations based on the 4 pillars of the game: technical, tactical, physical, psychological.



🧭 OUR PHILOSOPHY – “EXPERIENCE OVER OUTCOMES” - Kids inherently want to win…issues occur when coaches/parents want to win more than the players!!! 

Everything we do comes back to 3 basic player needs:

  1. Player Development – are they improving?
  2. Enjoyment – are they having fun?
  3. Belonging – do they feel part of something? Team/Club/Community

This is our experience…


These guide our decisions across the board.



📈 THE RIGHT CHALLENGE LEVEL

  • We constantly evaluate each player's “challenge point”
  • Are they ready for more challenges or do they need more support?
  • This helps look at players on a case by case basis.



📚 TRAINING STRUCTURE & PRINCIPLES

  • 6 Core Principles of Training 
  1. Arrival routine (juggling, ball mastery).
  2. Technical work/ Ball mastery (1 player per ball or pair work)
  3. Small-sided games (1v1–3v3) - THIS IS OUR BREAD AND BUTTER - want to create dynamic, brave, expressive players - we don’t want to stunt creativity…not all about pass, pass, pass…however we coach the cues/triggers to pass…
  4. Possession games (rondos/scrimmages)
  5. Fitness through play (built into the session) or traditional fitness
  6. Anything else the coaches sees fit - observe the needs/wants of the group



🎯 GAMES & FORMAT

  • 7v7 format (with goalkeepers)
  • Follows U.S. Soccer standards
  • Rotational positions – experience multiple roles - very important - build a complete understanding of the game - attacking and defending - holistic approach 
  • No specialized positions 
  • Game days = learning opportunities
  • Focus on 2 game moments: attacking and defending



🛠️ WHAT WE TEACH AT U9/U10

  • Technical foundation (receiving, dribbling, passing, shooting)
  • Soccer I.Q. (scanning, spacing, decision-making, basic positioning)
  • Social/emotional skills (confidence, sportsmanship, resilience, courage)
  • Teamwork (cooperation, communication, leadership)



🚀 LOOKING AHEAD – WHERE WE’RE GROWING

We’ve done many things well this past year – but we’re self-aware, take on feedback, and always look to improve.



Upcoming initiatives for 2024–25:

  • IDPs for excelling players
  • Optional 3rd & 4th night of training (schedule permitting)
  • Select tournament travel groups
  • Guest play across teams/playing up where appropriate


Everything ties back to giving players the right challenge at the right time.



🙌 HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT

  • Trust the process – development isn’t linear - focus more on progress and improvement
  • Praise effort, not just outcomes
  • Support the coaches – positive sidelines
  • Communicate – we’re here to help



💬 FINAL THOUGHTS

We’re proud of what we’re building here at Windsor Athletic FC. This program is designed to help young players fall in love with the game, improve week by week, and feel part of a team.

Thank you for your support and trust in us. We’re excited for the season ahead!