PUSHING OUR YOUNG STARS TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF COMPETITION AND TRAINING TO COMPETE, AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR GROWTH
Learning how to compete as a team, developing as an individual, enjoying the pursuit of excellence.
Our goal is to develop players as decision-making individuals and form competitive teams who can enjoy both success and challenging environments on and off the field.
The SA United Player Pathway defines success as developing skillful, intelligent players who exhibit confident personalities and positive characteristics in all pressured situations. Long-term player development is valued over a focus on short-term team wins.
Teaching through an enjoyable and challenging training environment, players grow and prepare for 11v11 soccer and future competition at Senior levels.
As part of enriching our players cultural experience, our Junior players will also have the opportunities to play abroad in Europe, by utilizing our partnerships with FCN and Travel and Play. Teams from U13 and U14 travel to Denmark and Sweden every year, to spend time with a professional Danish La Liga Club, FCN, before playing at the world's largest youth sporting event, the Gothia Cup.
TEACHING AN INTELLIGENT, BALANCED, PASSING PLAYING STYLE
We create an individual player and person-centered environment, offering competitive soccer team training and leagues throughout the Fall and Spring seasons.
Our Junior teams aim to play a fast-paced, technical game, based on finding and creating space, taking risks and enjoying the excitement of playing soccer.
Junior players will exhibit; intelligent play balancing 1v1 and the passing game; an understanding of the importance of space, and; challenge themselves to try new ideas. Players are selected by tryouts and register for a full year. Teams will train twice or three times per week, play weekend league matches and pre-/post-season tournaments.
Our coaching staff are responsible for planning and delivering coaching sessions and coaching all games throughout the season. Players will continue to learn more than one position on the field, and all players will receive 50% playtime from U11-U13 levels only.
Players and parents are encouraged to have an open dialogue with their coach, and they will receive two annual player reviews, one written and one face-to-face meeting each year, to review performance, set goals and work toward individual improvement.
GRADUATES
Juniors to Seniors
GAME TIME %
Per player, per game (minimum)
PLAYING UP
Players in 11v11 brackets
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Our Junior program overview gives details on the program content, game format, program schedules and contact points
Teams are formed every Fall and Spring season. Players can register for Fall only, Spring only, or Fall and Spring seasons each year. Players can Tryout for teams typically in May of each year.
- • League brackets record wins, losses and ties
• Home and away games may include travel inside and outside of San Antonio
• Rosters are selected at tryouts and players signed on 12 month contracts
PROGRAM CONTENTS
All age groups train a minimum of 28 sessions per season.
INCLUDED IN OUR JUNIOR PROGRAM:
- • Training sessions with SA United professional training staff
• 2 training sessions (minimum) per week
• 28 training sessions per season (minimum)
• 10+ regular games per season (minimum)
• Association Registration
GAME FORMAT
U11 and U12 teams play a 9v9 game format with 2x30minute halves.
U13 and U14 teams play a 11v11 game format with 2x35 minute or 2x40 minute halves, depending on competition.
PLAYER EQUIPMENT: Players at U11 and U12 age groups use a size 4 soccer ball. Players at U13 and U14 age groups use a size 5 soccer ball. Shin guards, cleats and team uniform are required for all games and training.
FIELD DIMENSIONS: The 9v9 game format, it is minimum 70-80x45-55 yards. The 11v11 format, it is minimum 100-130x50-100 yards.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Our season schedule tries to maximize as much training and game time for all of our players and members, please view the dates and times below.
TRAINING INFORMATION
SEASON LENGTH:
PRACTICE DAYS:
SEASON BEGINS:
16 Weeks
Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday
January 15, 2024
- • U11-U14 Select (2012-2009) - 6pm-7.30pm Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday
• U11-U14 Elite (2012-2009) - 6pm-7.30pm Monday/Tuesday/Thursday
GAME INFORMATION
GAME DATES: September to November in Fall, February to May in Spring
GAME TIMES: Schedules are set by individual team coach
PROGRAM FEES
Payment plans for monthly training dues.
SPRING 2024
- • U11-U14 Select (2 times a week training) $2,450 (includes $300 commitment fee and $300 field usage fee/$168.19 per month)
• U11-U14 Elite (3 times a week training) $2,550 (includes $300 commitment fee and $300 field usage fee/$177.28 per month)
ITEMS NOT COVERED:
- • Tournament fees - $175 in the Fall and $175 in the Spring
• Uniform - Approx. $470 depending on sizing (Fall 2022-Spring 2024)
• Coach's travel expenses
• Additional training opportunities
TOTAL:
$2,450 (Select), $2,550 (Elite)
PLAYER REGISTRATION
Junior competitive team tryouts are held in May each year. If you wish to join the club during the remainder of the year please contact the Program Director to arrange a tryout. We will invite your child out for a free training session to experience the soccer club and assess your child's ability.
SPRING 2024 PLAYER REGISTRATION
PROGRAM PACK
In our Junior Program Pack you will have access to content relevant to this age group, including our philosophy, formations, organizations that we play in and much more.
VERSION: 1.1 - COMING SOON
FILE SIZE: N/A
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What age groups does the Junior program accommodate?
Our Junior program begins at U11 (10) years old, and works up to U14 (13) years old, boys and girls.
Do you offer a scholarship program / financial assistance to families?
Yes we do, SA United is committed to affording all players the opportunity to participate in club soccer. Each year we budget to provide financial assistance for families that are in need.
How many training sessions are included in the program per week?
Teams (Select) typically train twice a week, alternating days (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday). Teams (Elite) train three times a week, (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday)
Are their opportunities for my child to play up an age group?
Yes, we offer players opportunities to player at a higher level at all levels of the program. These opportunities are determined by the Program Director and the player(s) coach.
Do teams play in any seasonal tournaments?
Yes, the actual tournaments that you attend will depend on the coaches preference.
Our Academy program is a fantastic place for young athletes to continue their soccer education, while constantly challenging and developing their mind and body.
Q. Can we come out to the Sportsplex and see what the environment is like before registering?
A. Of course, we can arrange a free POE for your child and your family to experience our club.
Our Junior program focuses on our athletes learning to compete as a team, developing as an individual, enjoying the pursuit of excellence in a challenging environment.
Q. Entering into the competitive phase of soccer, what can we expect from the program?
A. We offer multiple levels of competitive play, with a club focus and philosophy on developing intelligent, skillful athletes.
Players moving into the Senior program begin to learn about our competition phase, while we develop them for successful high-school and college careers in sport and study.
Q. How do you help players with their college aspirations and recruitment?
A. With a dedicated program director, we provide each athlete with a guide and athlete profile, outlining a timeline to organize their goals and support them in the recruiting process.
Our Recreational program offers a low-cost, fun, creative and non-stressful environment, to not only develop soccer players, but for every player to participate on a team, regardless of their interest or ability.
Q. If my child really enjoys the program, are there any options for movement into the other club programs?
A. Yes of course. We actually have players who have excelled in the program and then progressed into our Academy and Junior programs to further their development.
Developing the very fundamentals of soccer, at the earliest time of a child's development, is crucial in their soccer education.
Q. What does your program offer my young child and why play so early?
A. Our program has a set curriculum based on ball mastery, and a fun challenging environment to instill a passion and love for the game.