Academy
ACADEMY (U8-U12)
NEW PLAYER OBSERVATIONS
Our New Player Observations for the Spring 2025 season have concluded. Any new players looking to join the program for the Fall 2026 season can sign-up for observations below.
- May 11 – 5:15-6:30pm
- May 12 – 5:15-6:30pm
- May 13 – 5:15-6:30pm
- May 14 – 5:15-6:30pm
Sessions will take at Town & Country fields. Exact location TBD.
AGE GROUP CHART 2026/27 SEASON
| Age Group | Birth Year |
|---|---|
| U12 | Aug 1, 2014 - Jul 31, 2015 |
| U11 | Aug 1, 2015 - Jul 31, 2016 |
| U10 | Aug 1, 2016 - Jul 31, 2017 |
| U9 | Aug 1, 2017 - Jul 31, 2018 |
| U8 | Aug 1, 2018 - Jul 31, 2019 |
PROGRAM DETAILS
Our Academy has grown from 41 players to over 300 in the past 5 years. We take pride in providing a quality player development program for the community. This program is designed for the Advanced Recreation Player who is looking for more in terms of competition and development.
Within the Academy we have both travel and in-house teams. Players must be evaluated and invited to join the program.
Our Academy is built on a player centric model where individual development is our priority. We teach players the technique and tactics they require to enjoy the game in a safe, competitive, developmental environment.
All teams are coached by T&C trainers who work from the US Soccer Training & Planning Curriculum Map, to ensure players are being taught the appropriate information for their age. Sessions are built around the four pillars of the game; technical, tactical, physical and mental.
Players participating in our Academy program are placed on teams according to their age and skill level. Teams are formed during the first two weeks of the season at Team Formation. Once teams are formed they will be assigned a trainer for the remainder of the season. For more information on the program see below.
- All games and practices at Town & Country Sports Complex*
- Practices are designed by our Directors and lead by our Trainers
- Trainers are expected to be present at all practices and games
- Players practice twice-a-week (1hr 15mins) for 13 weeks
- Current practice time slots; 5:15 – 6:30pm & 6:30 – 7:45pm
- Teams train on Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday
- Goalkeepers have access to our Goalkeeper Training Program
- Players must wear T&C practice uniform to training
- At the beginning of the season players will be evaluated and place onto teams
- Depending on the age group teams will play either 5v5, 7v7 or 9v9.
- Teams may vary from season-to-season
- Teams play 9 games per season, we do our best to reschedule rain-outs
- End-of-season tournament included
- Most teams compete in our in-house Academy league
- Some teams compete in our in-house Rec. league
- Some teams compete in the CAYSA Academy travel league
- In-house teams will play all their regular season games at T&C on Saturdays, typically within one or two similar time slots each week
- This season we are entering a new 2-year uniform cycle therefore ALL players are required to purchase an Academy uniform package this season (approximately $150)
*Does not include CAYSA travel team games.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OUR ACADEMY DIRECTOR
ACADEMY CALENDAR
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| Jan 23 | Current Player return to team deadline |
| Jan 26 week | New Player Observations |
| Feb 2 week | Practice Begins |
| Feb 13 | New Player Registration Deadline |
| Feb 14 | Late Registration begins (team placement not guaranteed - $25 fee) |
| Feb 2 and 9 week | Team Formation |
| Feb 9 & 10 | Parent Meetings |
| Feb 16 week | Keeper Training Begins |
| Feb 16 week | Team Practice Begins |
| Feb 28 | Season Games Begin |
| May 2/3 | Season Games End |
| May 4 week | Keeper Training Ends |
| May 8-10 | T&C Spring Cup (included) |
| May 11 week | New Player Observations |
GAME SCHEDULES
For teams that compete in-house at Town & Country we set up a block schedule so you only have a couple of time-slots that your games will be in. This schedule will be released nearer to the beginning of the season. For those who play on our travel teams competing in CAYSA Academy, your schedule is set by the league and your games will be at different locations around Austin.
Game times at T&C may change based on final registration numbers per division and field availability. Game times may also be changed due to inclement weather and/or weather makeups. All efforts will be made to have consistent weekly game times. Always check with your coach to confirm weekly game times.
TRAINING CURRICULUM MAP
| Week | Training Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Team Formation |
| 2 | Passing & Receiving | Scrimmages & & Team Formation |
| 3 | Passing & Receiving | Possession |
| 4 | Shooting & RWTB | Playing out of the back |
| 5 | Shooting & RWTB | Playing out of the back |
| 6 | Turning, Dribbling & 1v1 Attacking | Transition |
| 7 | Turning, Dribbling & 1v1 Attacking | Transition |
| 8 | Receiving to turn, Shooting | Combination Play |
| 9 | Receiving to turn, Shooting | Combination Play |
| 10 | Ball control, Turning & 1v1 Defending | Finishing in final 3rd |
| 11 | Ball control, Turning & 1v1 Defending | Finishing in final 3rd |
| 12 | RWTB, Shielding & Shooting | Defending Principles |
| 13 | RWTB, Shielding & Shooting | Defending Principles |
