U11 North hot-line: tbd

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This page was updated on June 01, 2008.  Content changes frequently; use your "Refresh" feature to display the most current information.

News:

Tryout results are posted: (June 1)  We thank everyone who attended tryouts for the NASA Academy program. We loved the girls' enthusiasm and effort, and we're grateful so many families are interested in the NASA Academy. Link: tryout results

Canterbury Cup this weekend: (May 21)  We wrap up the spring season by playing in the Canterbury Cup tournament the weekend of May 24-25. Link: team assignments and schedule links (revised Wednesday)

Prepare to Launch camp returns in June: (April 28)  NASA’s top Academy camp is back this summer! Don’t miss the chance to enroll your Academy child in our Prepare to Launch 2008 Camp. Players will get great training from some of the top college coaches in the southeast. Sessions are designed to challenge the players while building their confidence. Link: more info and on-line registration

• When:  Monday, June 9 - Thursday, June 12, 9 AM - 3 PM

• Who may attend:  Academy level girls and boys, ages 8 to 12

• Where:  All sessions will be held at Metro North Park

Guest nights start Monday, April 28th: (April 24)  We invite Academy prospects to come practice with us on Monday nights. Guest nights start Monday, April 28th and continue through May 19th. Sessions are at Noonday Park field 11 and run from 5:30 - 6:45 PM. You'll get to practice with the Academy players, meet the Academy coaches, and see what the Academy is all about. Just wear your usual practice gear, bring your soccer ball and water, and join us for some soccer fun!

• Who may attend?  Our Academy guest nights are open to under-11 girls from the NASA recreational program (birth dates in the range of August 1, 1996 - July 31, 1997), along with players from other organizations' recreational programs, and girls who aren't currently registered with a team. Our governing body (Georgia State Soccer Association) prohibits us from inviting players who are already registered with other organizations' Academy or Select programs to our guest nights. Link: GSSA Youth Rules and Regulations, see section 330 on page 13.

Practice starts Monday, February 4th: (February 4)  We'll start spring practice on Monday, February 4th. Days, times and locations are the same as in the fall season. The U10 and U12 girls are on the same schedule as us, so that expands car-pool options.

Spring 2008 tournaments: (February 25)  We plan to enter teams in the following spring season tournaments:

• February 9-10:  Academy Ice Breaker (local)
• April 19-20:  Lazers Invitational (Peachtree City), 1 team
• May 17-18:  ASA Xtreme Cup (Cumming), 1 team
• May 24-25:  Canterbury Cup (local), 2 teams

Game photos: (September 20)  Thanks to Kristina Harbeke for sharing some Academy game photos. Links: album 1; album 2 You can check the Atlanta Cup item below for links to additional photos.

U11 Academy coaching staff (2006-07):

• Randy Bowman:  2nd year with the Academy, also coaches the NASA '10 Premier team
• Dawn Bristol:  6th year with the Academy, also coaches the NASA '10 Select team
• Lauren Horne:  2nd year with the Academy, former United Quest Athena player, also coaches the NASA '09 Premier team

We’ll also occasionally have older Athena-level players join us as guest trainers. This will allow your daughter an opportunity to see the technical skills that higher-level players must possess.

Highlights of the Academy program:

• Training three times a week (currently Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
• Weekly friendly matches against other clubs' Academy teams
• Flexibility to move players freely between teams
• Athena Academy camp

The pool of players for the Academy will be around 40 girls. This pool includes graduates of our U10 Academy, players from the NASA recreational program, and other players who want to be part of the NASA Academy program. We identify players in three phases:

• Academy staff evaluates players during training sessions and games with their recreational teams during their league seasons
• We make further evaluations during informal scrimmages in May
• We complete evaluations through structured tryouts after the spring season

Players who are identified as strong candidates will be offered admission into the Academy. There is no obligation to join, however. If the level of commitment isn't right for your daughter or family, the NASA recreational program will still be available as an option.

Links:

• Frequently asked questions
• Information for Academy prospects

Academy Goals:

• Create an atmosphere where young players are exposed to the game with an emphasis on skill development more than team development.

• Create an environment where players are allowed to flourish in a competitive arena in which the focus of quality soccer is more important than short-term success of winning versus losing.

• Educate our players and parents in the development process and club values.

• We'll measure learning and fun, not scores and standings.