The Development Academy Juniors program is designed to teach basic soccer skills to our youngest soccer players of all skills levels in a fun and positive environment. 

This program is our most basic entry level soccer program offering professional staff and instruction  with the objective to serve as a bridge to our Development Academy program for players U6 to U10. 

This program offers several benefits:
- Sessions consist of high energy activities that are developmentally appropriate and focused on FUN!
- Sessions led by professionally licensed coaches and staff with the ability to engage and inspire children
-  The program focuses on introducing children to the fundamental soccer principles such as dribbling, shooting and progresses to imaginative games focused on creativity and confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork. 

Format

This program aims to have approximately 25 kids per location. Players will be organized into mixed groups of approximately 6 players each (6 to 1 player to coach ratio), who will start by playing a small sided games, transition into rotating skills stations and activities then finish with more exciting and fun games. 

School programs with players U6 and older will be invited to participate in the Development Academy Saturday weekend inter-squad games. Each school will be organized into groups of 6 players per squad to compete against other school teams and Development Academy teams on the weekend. All squads will be professionally managed by an academy professional coach. The format will be 4v4, giving each teams two subs. The teams will play a small sided format without goalkeepers. 

Curriculum

The Development Academy Junior curriculum is designed within the guidelines of US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches coaching education guidelines for players at the 2 to 11 ages. The program features a heavy emphasis on individual ball mastery, creativity and confidence all with in a fun and positive environment helping to maximum player development and enjoyment of the game.  Each session will feature a theme. Examples include:

- Shooting and Technique 
- Dribbling and Building Confidence - Basic Foundation and Change of Direction using different parts of the foot. 
- Dribbling and Attacking - Fun moves such as the scissors and step overs, combination moves, penetrating runs by dribbling with speed at goal
- First Touch
- Passing and learning to play with teammates. 

School and Daycare Locations: Rockingham County
Practice Days and Times: Spring 2021, Mondays and Thursdays, 6pm to 7pm
Ages: 2-U5

The Development Academy Junior program will train two times per week during the fall and spring seasons with an optional third training day available each week. All sessions are at Harrisonburg City or Rockingham County soccer fields. 

Pre Season Parent Orientation Zoom Meeting : March 8 at 8:00pm 

April Schedule: Rockingham Park Soccer Field #1
Monday and Thursdays: 4/5, 4/8, 4/12, 4/15, 4/19, 4/22, 4/26, 4/29
Wednesdays (Optional): 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28
6pm to 7pm

May Schedule: Rockingham Park Soccer Field #1
Monday and Thursdays: 5/3, 5/6, 5/10, 5/13, 5/17, 5/20, 5/24, 5/27
Wednesdays (Optional): 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26
6pm to 7pm

League and match decisions are made on an individual team basis to ensure an appropriate and challenging environment.  The match environment can be a mix of league, tournament, and friendly play.  Each team will have a tailored match environment.

School and Daycare Locations
Practice Days and Times: Spring 2021, TBA
Ages: 2-11

Coming Soon!

Don't see your school? Ask us why!
[email protected]

*The School and Daycare Locations are only available if you are enrolled in child care or school at that specific location. General enrollment is available under the city and county location page section.

Spring 2021 Registration Details

Enrollment for this program is Open Registration.

Our Development Academy Juniors Program is intended to teach basic soccer skills to our youngest soccer players of all skills levels in a fun and positive environment.

To enroll please create an account or login to you existing Sports Connect account and select the city, county, school or daycare Development Academy Juniors program that works best for your family.  

Program Cost: $110

Registration deadline is Friday, January 29, 2021.

COVID-19 Refund Policy
If the program is fully canceled due to Covid-19 a full refund will be provided if the program has not started. Once the program has started a prorated refund will be provided if the program is fully canceled due to Covid-19. 

                                                                                          

Development Academy Junior Uniforms are not included in your registration fee. The uniform kit includes:

- One logoed club Jersey

Uniforms run on a two year cycle and are not included in the program fees. Returning players may wear the same kit from previous fall or spring season within the same two year cycle. A month prior to the program start date you will receive an email from Soccer.com with instructions on how to place the uniform.