Academy format proves successful

In the spring of 2008, 15 Under 8 coed families volunteered to play soccer in a format encouraged by experts in U.S. youth soccer -- a so-called Academy format -- a first for the Indian River Soccer Association.

The result -- judging from the group's play at the District Commissioners Cup Tournament at Port St. John May 17-18 --  was a rousing success, as two teams won all of their six games by 10 goals or more, despite efforts to hold back the scores.

"I was surprised by the disparity in play," said Larry Reisman, a coach for the IRSA Majestic Red and White teams, whose son, Britt, played on the squad. Reisman set up the academy while vice president of the recreation division of IRSA. "I knew we had a great bunch of kids, but their ball skills and team and physical play against other clubs far surpassed expectations.'

Part of the disparity was that most of the other clubs still play with teams, and include two age groups. IRSA utilizes single age groups. All of the IRSA players had been on the field for several seasons. Several coaches from other clubs requested information on how to start an academy.

"While the group may have been small, it was intimate and focused, allowing the boys to get lots of personal instruction, playing time, and an ability to form friendships and learn from one another through consistent play," said Ted Zamerski, whose son, Nathan, played on the team. "Additionally, I think it was successful since you had kids there that really wanted to be there."

In the academy, the group received professional training weekly and, instead of forming teams, played pick up games on Saturday. Those teams were determined based on who showed up first. All players had the same uniforms, with pinnies used to differentiate teams that were set up for the morning --
or in some occasions, parts of the game. Eleven of the 15 academy players signed up for the D.C. Cup event.

Tim Bieber and Bela Nagy also helped coach in the academy.