The goal of the Piedmont Youth Academy program at the individual level is to develop skills in a fun and competitive environment where all coaches encourage individual creativity and foster technical ability. PYA players will learn to play freely without fear of failure in all positions on the pitch.
The goal of PYA from at the wholistic level is to develop a player base for future PYSL Travel Squads. All players who have a spot in the Academy have earned it with a tryout.
COACHING STAFF
All PYA coaches are licensed by either the NSCAA or USSF organizations. For a list of PYA coaches, click on the link on the left side of the page.
PLAYER SELECTION
All Piedmont Youth Academy teams within the PYSL will be formed after a tryout, and the evaluation will be done by the PYA coaching staff and the PYSL Director of Coaching. Players who wish to tryout can register with the club by emailing Enda Crehan. Any players who don’t register by email will have to register on the day before the tryout. Players must attend tryouts to be selected on any of the PYA teams. Those players who cannot attend the scheduled tryout date must consult with PYSL Director of Coaching, Enda Crehan.
The PYA program is available to any player with birthdates ranging from 7/31/05 - 8/1/01.
Click on the link on the left side of the page for information about the date and time of the PYA tryout date.
TRAINING / MATCHES
Training will take place twice per week. Once selected to an Academy level team, all training sessions are mandatory. Players who do not train may lose playing time in matches. If missing a training session is unavoidable, the player must let his/her coach know in advance so that the coach can plan his/her practice plans accordingly.
U10 and U9 Academy teams do not play in the PYSL Recreation League, but rather have intersquad matches on Saturdays at the Smith River Sports Complex. Competitions will vary on a weekly basis, consisting of everything from small-sided matches to full 11v11 competitions. In addition, PYA teams will be eligible to play in some outside tournaments. If missing a match is unavoidable, the player must let his/her coach know at least 5 calendar days in advance so that the coach can plan that particular weekend’s squads accordingly, as teams will be mixed up throughout the season.
U8 Academy teams will play in the Recreation League on Saturdays.
Any questions on player selection, training, or matches should be directed to ATP Director Enda Crehan. He can be reached by email at ecrehan@pyslsoccer.net, or by phone at 434.549.3377.
FALL AND SPRING COSTS
$120 per season*
Cost Includes: Coaching, Team Practice Equipment, Insurance, Administration, Field set-up, Uniform (2 jerseys, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of socks), Facilities (Smith River Sports Complex for Practices and Games), Tournament Entry
*Players are encouraged to participate in both seasons for greater development.
REGISTER HERE
