Mission Statement
The SCFC Academy Program provides a safe, enjoyable, training and learning environment that facilitates the transition from recreation to competitive soccer.
The training emphasizes the development of fundamental skills using a curriculum consisting of activities that are both age appropriate and challenge every player.
We aim to instill a passion for soccer that will encourage children to stay involved in the game throughout their youth and adult lives as a player, parent, coach, referee, volunteer or spectator.

Goal
The goal of the SCFC Academy Program is to increase participation, quality of play and enjoyment of the game.

Objectives
To increase participation, level of play and enjoyment of the game by:

1. Providing players with a safe, positive learning environment.
2. Providing players with quality, professional training
3. Providing excellent training facilities
4. Educating parents in National, State and Club recommendations for player development.
5. Creating a game environment free from excessive coaching, fear of failure or pressure from over enthusiastic parents.

Academy Curriculum
The Academy Curriculum focuses on technical development and a tactical emphasis of no more than choices/decisions made by the players.
Fundamental skills are taught and decision making developed through planning and using both a variety and sequence of age appropriate activities that challenge every player.

Technical Development
• Running, Dribbling, moves and fakes with the ball.
• Passing, crossing and shooting off the dribble
• Turning with ball
• Receiving the ball
• Passing, dribbling and shooting from receiving the ball
• Heading the ball
• Introduction to Goalkeeping

Tactical emphasis- Choices/decisions made by the players concerning:
• Possession
• Penetration
• Defending
• Team Shape

Training Program
This consists of two 75-minute training sessions a week 5:30-6:45pm, Monday and Wednesday evenings conducted by the Professional Staff.
The players are placed in groups of 10-12 based on ability to ensure that everyone is challenged. During the course of the season the staff will rotate the training groups to ensure that they get to know and work with every player. Fall 2010 training: Monday August 16- Wednesday November 10

Training Venues
Centennial Park (Friendswood), Dave Finkel Fields (Clear Lake) and League City Sportsplex.

Team Formation & Player Placement
The Academy teams are selected and coached by members of the professional staff. Games are covered by a coach who works with those players during practice.
One parent volunteer is assigned to each team as a manager to assist the staff.
Each Fall and Spring season, the Academy participates in two tournaments and the Houston Player Development Friendlies (subject to change) which offers three tiers of play; Gold, Silver and Bronze.
The team each player is selected for is based on his/her ability. The number of teams formed and which tier each team is placed in depends on the size and quality of the player pool per age group. Academy team rosters are not frozen. Players can be moved from one team to another or can play with two teams on the same day. To continue to provide a positive and challenging environment for all players during the course of a season may require exposing them to different levels of play depending on their stage of development. 

Games and Tournaments
To date most academy games have been played at South Campus (Stella Link/610 W), Houston Express Soccer Club. Some games have been played in Katy or Spring. Knowing that more players would participate in the Academy Program if games were closer to home, SCFC is considering alternatives to the Houston PDF for the 2010 fall season. Games will begin September 12and end November 14. The Fall tournaments we participate in are the Houston Dynamo Labor Day Cup (September 4 & 5) and the Academy Cup (December 4 & 5). Spring academy training: Monday January 17 – Wednesday April 20 with tournaments and games to be scheduled in February, March and April.

Cost 
Full Year: $750
Fall/Spring : $415

Covers:
• Registration
• Uniform
• Training
• PDF League Fee

Tournament Fees are extra

Registration
Register Online by following the registration link on the SCFC Website www.spacecityfc.org to the Blue Sombrero/SCFC site. or Click here
If you have any questions please email academy@spacecityfc.org

Reminder
All participants please wear a SCFC T-shirt, soccer shorts, shin guards, soccer socks and cleats. Bring plenty of water and an inflated ball.