The Iowa Soccer Association Academy is a state-initiated and state-led program which parents of U09 and U10 players, in a qualifying club have the option of registering their child for academy or recreational soccer. Qualifying clubs are Ankeny Soccer Club, Johnston Soccer Club, Urbandale Soccer Club, Soccer West Soccer Club, Soccer South Soccer Club, West Des Moines and Vision Soccer Academy of Waukee.

The impetus behind offering two levels of play at U9/U10 is to allow players to play with and against players of similar ability and at a level where they will experience the most success and have the most fun playing the sport.

Players registered for Academy soccer will play in an Iowa Soccer Association Academy League that is subject to a number of player developmental guidelines. Clubs must follow these guidelines to maintain their academy status.

Guidelines include following a set training curriculum, mixing training groups, mixing teams after each playing season, small roster sizes, mandatory coach education for academy coaches, parent education and most importantly a focus on the individual player, not on the team.

Players registering for recreational soccer will follow the same format that they currently play in and will experience more consistency from season to season concerning coaching and team formation than an academy player would.

Academy clubs must still follow recreational play guidelines like 50% playing time in matches. However, the emphasis is placed on creating a playing environment that is more conducive to the individual as opposed to team development.



Academy vs. Recreational Soccer...How do I choose what is best for my child?

To help parents decide which level of play is most appropriate for their child, listed below are the characteristics of typical players who would participate in an Academy Program. If your child displays a majority of the characteristics listed they are probably more suited to that level of play. However, it should be noted that during a player’s soccer development they may move back and forth between academy and recreational play.

• Demonstrates sound technical skills (control, dribbling, and shooting)
• Physically stronger than most players within their age group
• Athletically quicker than most players within their age group
• High level of coordination and good agility
• During games is aggressive in their attitude and approach to getting involved
• During games tends to dominate the play
• Demonstrates high level of focus and concentration during practices and games
• Started to narrow down the number of extra-curricular activities
• Soccer is a high priority
• Practices with a ball on own time outside scheduled games & practices
• U9 player who will try-out for the U11 competitive age group in the following year
• More information is available in the Academy Manual.