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Academy Program

LINK TO ACADEMY GAME SCHEDULE

ACADEMY FIRE JR SPRING 2024 SEASON

TO REGISTER FOR ACADEMY FIRE JR - SPRING 2024 SEASON - Contact Director of Training, Steve Jennings - training@ahfsh.org

Training for Spring 2024 begins Monday, January 29, 2024.

The AHFSH Academy Fire Junior Program provides players at ages 7-9 (Born in 2014-2016) with an opportunity to receive age appropriate exercises, player development and professional training.
The Program will focus on player development as opposed to results.
We will focus on the player and provide them the best training atmosphere which fits and allows them and the team to have success.
We allow the players to play in an environment that develops their skills, techniques and understanding of the game.

 

See below for details and FAQ's about Academy Fire Jr. program.

What is the Academy Program?
The AHFSH Academy Program (Fire Jr.) was created to allow those players who are not yet old enough to participate in the league's “competitive” or “select” soccer program, known as the Fire Club, the opportunity to receive professional training and play with and against players who also wish to play at a more competitive level of recreational soccer.  Although the program is developed for those who desire a more intensive level of training and play, the goal of the program is to develop all players within the program, not to develop teams with winning records. In fact, there are no standings kept within the Academy league, which furthers the purpose of the program in developing individual skills.  Certainly, providing players with the training that they need to be successful is a goal of the program, but training and position assignment will be focused on developing the skills of each player, not achieving a winning record for the team.  All teams in the AHFSH Academy will play under the “Fire Junior” name, just as all of the AHFSH Fire teams play under the “Fire” name.

Who can play in the Academy Program?
Fire Jr. teams are open to all players who are eligible to play in the 8U to 10U age groups

How often will Academy teams practice?
Academy players train with the professional trainers approved by AHFSH for one hour & 15 minutes per practice, twice per week.  Girls sessions are Monday/Wednesday; Boys sessions are Tuesday/Thursday.  All sessions begin at 6:00pm and finish at 7:15pm.
8U teams, 9U teams, 10U teams will train at the same time. Teams will train in as Pool practice the first session of the week and team practice the second session.  
 Additional skill or positional training, e.g., goalkeeper training, will be offered as well, which training players are encouraged (but not required) to attend.  Such additional training is included within the cost of participation in the program. 

Who are the professional trainers that were approved by the league?
AHFSH uses qualified trainers from the San Antonio area.  All trainers must have at a minimum a USSF E license to coach in the Academy Program.  The AHFSH Academy is supervised by our Director of Training, Steve Jennings.  Steve has been involved in coaching for twenty- five years and has attained the highest licenses in coaching at both the senior and junior levels, currently holding both a USSF “A” license and a National Youth License.  Since coming to the United States from Liverpool, England, where he played soccer at the semi-pro level with Kirby Town Football Club, he has been actively involved with coaching and developing not only many of South Texas’ players, but also many of the coaches who are currently training players in our state.  Steve has served as the Director of Coaching for the South Texas Youth Soccer League (which oversees youth soccer for all US Youth Soccer – affiliated leagues in the southern part of the state), he has coached both girls’ and boys’ teams in Texas’ Olympic Development Program, and he has coached teams that have won State Championships at every level.   

Against whom will the Academy teams play?
Our Academy Fire Jr. program participates in the SA PDF league.  The vision of the SA - PDF is to offer a player centered learning soccer environment, allowing players to be free to develop their skills, techniques and tactical play through self -discovery and creativity.  All players will register through US Club Soccer and be fully covered for insurance purposes. Member clubs will work together to schedule games creating the optimal environment holding true to the vision of the SA - PDF. 
Our Fire Jr. teams play against Academy teams from other SA PDF clubs.  Member Clubs are Arsenal FC, Lions FC, San Antonio City SC, SA United, Boerne Soccer Club, Alamo Soccer Club, and River City SC.   Games are played at a different site each week and players will be expected to travel to games in San Antonio and other local municipalities, e.g.  Boerne, Schertz, Bulverde.  AHFSH home games are played at Schertz Soccer Complex (SSC).  Academy teams will also play in various tournaments over the course of the seasonal year. 
Entry fees into the tournaments are the responsibility of the Academy team parents.

Where will the Academy teams practice and play?
Fire Jr. teams practice at the AHFSH fields on Fort Sam Houston (1630 Watkins Blvd, San Antonio, TX  78234). Home games will be played at the Schertz Soccer Complex (SSC).  Away games will be played at the designated home field of the respective teams in the SA PDF. 

When will we receive our season game schedule?
All clubs registered under the SA-PDF are part of an organization who plan their own game and league season, by first holding 2 or 3 bracketing games to assess team competence and then re-bracketing teams to create more competitive environments for all teams. This process can take time and as such the full season schedule will not be available until one or two weeks after we have completed the bracketing games.

How much playing time can players expect during the games?
Fire Jr. teams will observe the “half game” rule, which provides that each player should be permitted to play at least one-half of each game. Exceptions to this rule include player injury and disciplinary matters.

How will teams be formed?
Players will be admitted to the Academy program based on a first-come, first-served basis.  Team assignments will be made to create pure age groups.   To the extent permitted by such rules, AHFSH will consider player requests related to team assignment, whether to play with a certain player or coach.

May I request to play with some of my friends?
Requests to play on the same team with another player may be considered where such request does not interfere with the goal of player development and the rules of our parent associations, but there is no guarantee that such requests will be met.

May I request a specific coach?
Coaches will be assigned to teams after they are formed as described previously.  As a result, and because of the rules governing team formation for all Academy teams, there is no guarantee that requests for a specific coach will be met.

Do players have to participate in Academy to participate in the Fire Club?
No.  The Academy is not a prerequisite to participation in the Fire Club, which is open to players beginning at Under-11.  Given the stated goal of the Academy Program to develop player skills, however, those playing on a Fire Jr. team may be better qualified to participate in the Fire Club once they are old enough to try out for such teams.  Additionally, it is possible that a trainer's familiarity with a player because of that player's participation on a Fire Jr. team could benefit that player when he/she participates in tryouts for a Fire team.

Is there recreational soccer available for those who do not wish to play in Academy?
Yes.  AHFSH is committed to offering our players the opportunity to play at the level that best suits each players’ needs.  As a result, we will continue to offer traditional recreational soccer for those playing in all age groups from U-5 through U-10.

What is the cost of participation in the Academy Program?
The total cost of participation (which currently includes registration fee, field fee, insurance, league fee, referee fee and training fee) is $500.00 per season.  Registration fees are charged on a per season basis, as opposed to a "seasonal year" basis; as a result, the applicable fee must be paid for the fall season, and the applicable fee must again be paid in the spring season.  Players may choose to play in the Fall only, the Spring only or both seasons.  A summary of registration fees is available on the Fees and Refunds page of our website, www.ahfsh.org
Players registering in the Academy Fire Jr. must also purchase a uniform and training shirts directly from Score Pro via their online store. Cost is approximately $90.00.  Uniforms will remain the same for multiple seasons/years and may be used for multiple seasons. 

Is financial assistance available for those who register to play in Academy?
Yes.  AHFSH currently offers financial assistance and payment plans for Fire Jr. players.  Request for Financial Assistance forms should be completed and forwarded to the club office, operations@ahfsh.org.  Financial aid forms are available at www.ahfsh.org.

How do I register for the Academy Program?
Players can register through the online registration system during open registration.
A link is available on our homepage,
www.ahfsh.org.

May I choose to play recreational soccer after registering for Academy?
Once a player has registered for a Fire Jr. team and the season has begun, that player will not be permitted by our governing associations to play recreational soccer during that season.  As a result, parents and players should carefully consider whether they are committed to the more rigorous training schedule and style of play, the additional expense and the increased travel associated with Academy play before registering.

Where may I obtain additional information regarding the Academy Program?
Additional information may be obtained by visiting the club website, www.ahfsh.org or by  contacting the club office at 210-973-6002.

AHFSH Academy Program

The goal of the AHFSH Academy Fire Jr. program is to provide our players at ages 7-9 with an opportunity to receive age appropriate exercises, player development and professional training.

The Program will focus on player development as opposed to results.

We will focus on the player and provide them the best training atmosphere which fits and allows them and the team to have success.

We allow the players to play in an environment that develops their skills, techniques and understanding of the game

 The Program for the fall will place age group teams on the same night of practice

Monday/Wednesday will be Girls

Tuesday/Thursday will be Boys

U8 teams, U9 teams, U10 teams will practice at the same time

Teams will be able to Pool practice the first session and team practice the second session. This will allow the players a club feeling, player camaraderie as well as having the staff get to know each and every player at that age group. This will help with game days when we have a need to have coverage.  Trainers will be set for Age Group and will be able to coach every team at that age group.

At the U10 Age level only, we intend to group the players for games based upon their ability. Most weekend games will consist of the same players, but teams may be adjusted ( by the Training Staff only) if a player needs to play in a particular game, needs more playing time, has a excused absence or the trainer decides that this is a good fit.

**AHFSH ACADEMY FIRE JR. - UNIFORM POLICY
Players registering in the Academy Fire Jr. must purchase a uniform and training shirts directly from Soccer Factory via their online store. Cost is approximately $40.00.  Uniforms will remain the same for multiple seasons/years and may be used for multiple seasons. 

Academy End of Season Event - Fall 2019


CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR ACADEMY FIRE JR. SPIRIT WEAR!


Thanks to our Academy title sponsor - Raising Cane's