U8 Development League

Last Edited: Mar 2018

 

Program Description

The U8 program sees the players moving to the recommended 5v5 format of game play, and introduces referees in slightly more structured "league" play.

Players who are looking to train in addition to their Friday games have the option of registering for the Academy Grassroots Training which includes technical development and games run by staff coaches and technical assistants.

This "training is extra" format ensures that all of our young players have access to the best training and coaching available at the club.  It also ensure that those who want to train and develop as players, have the opportunity to do so at a good level (with others who want to be there), while those who don't wish to train or are new to the game, can start by simply enjoying the game play on Friday nights.  

Players for the Jr. Academy are selected from amongst those training in the Academy Grassroots training, or from the Friday night U8 Development League. 


 Program Details

Soccer Age:

U8 

Unsure of your age group?

Level of Play:

Players play 5 aside (5v5) games with referees.]

All players play fair time in all positions. 

Spring Festival Series (Player Assessments)

All players are invited to attend a spring festival series during April and May. The festivals have players play in small sided games for 5 straight weeks, and allow our staff to balance the development teams properly.

Playing in at least one festival is mandatory, but we encourage players to participate in all of them.  These are fun festivals for them to simpy play soccer.

Dates and times of Spring Festival series:

(please arrive 20 minutes prior to festival start)

Girls:

April 14 - 8:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field - CANCELLED... city closed fields due to weather

April 21 - 8:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

April 28 - 8:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

May 5 - 8:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

May 12 - 8:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

 

Boys:

April 14 - 8:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field - CANCELLED... city closed fields due to weather

April 21 - 9:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

April 28 - 9:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

May 5 - 9:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

May 12 - 9:00 AM - Millennium Park Turf field

 

At the end of the spring festival series, players will be placed in appropriate teams across the development league for the summer season, or Junior Academy  program.


Skills Development Opportunity - players have the option of training with the staff/technical coaches through the Academy Grassroots Training program, through which they can also be invited into the Jr. Academy. The program is highly recommended as players see substantial gains through the training.

 

Season Length: Mid-May to mid-August
Weekly Commitment:

Games and Practices:

  • Games are on Fridays at 6:30 PM (games are 40 minutes long plus breaks, so plan for an hour at the park).
  • All games are located in the Orleans area.
  •  Click for Schedule

 

Extra Training Opportunity: 

Important Dates:

 

Early May 2018

  • Team Coaches meeting (mandatory)

Mid-May 2018

  • All players will be contacted by their Coach.  

May 18th, 2018

  • Meet and greet for all teams
  • Uniform Distribution

May 25th, 2018

  • Games Begin

June 1, 2, 3,  2018

  • Pictures (not included in the cost)
Costs:

Player Registration Fee:

On or before March 31st: $180 (early bird discount)

After March 31st: $210 

Cost includes full uniform, a soccer ball, and year-end memento.

Non-Volunteer fee: $50 per family (mandatory fee, refundable after volunteering)

Player Requirements:
  • Players are required to wear protective shin guards and shoes at all games and practices.  Soccer cleats are allowed and recommended at all age groups.
  • No jewelry, hair clips or bracelets (excluding Medical Alerts) are allowed to be worn on the soccer field.  Ontario Soccer (OS) Policy states that all jewelry including, but not limited to earrings and watches must be removed.  Taping earrings is also not allowed.  Jewelry poses an unnecessary risk to all players. 
  • Casts – Hard casts are not permitted.
  • Medical Alerts – Medical Alerts are allowed, but must be taped down.
  • Eyeglasses – The club strongly recommends that players who wear eyeglasses, wear sports glasses during games and practices for everyone's safety.
Register:

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