NGS is pleased to offer U8 and U9 Development Academy Teams for select NGS Juniors players. Our Development Teams are grade-based teams designed for highly motivated first and second graders who demonstrate a passion for soccer, are excited about improving their skills, and seek an increased challenge. Development Academy Teams focus on developing fundamental technical skills in preparation for NGS Travel and competitive Academy soccer teams.
We offer our limited spots on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no tryouts for this age group.
The Academy Program is a part of NGS and combines the best aspects of professionally coached club soccer with the unique strengths and conveniences of Newton Girls Soccer. In addition to our development teams for Grades 1 – 2, we field competitive teams for Grades 3 – 8.
Joining a Development Academy Team does not guarantee players a spot in the 3rd Grade Academy Program and beyond. Each year, the highest skilled players are invited to join the Academy Program based on coach evaluations and Travel assessments.
An ideal candidate for a development team meets the following qualifications:
Participants will commit to three seasons: fall, winter, and spring.
Players will be on two teams
Participants |
NGS 1st or 2nd graders who are highly motivated and seeking an increased challenge before starting travel soccer in 3rd grade. |
Pre-requisite |
Players must participate in a NGS Juniors parent-led team (weekly training and games) to be eligible for the U8 or U9 Development Academy. |
Selection |
There are no tryouts. All interested, qualified players may register for the program until it is full. |
Roster Size |
1st grade (U8): 16 players 2nd grade (U9): 16 players x 2 teams |
Coaches |
Development teams work with professional NGS staff coaches. |
Curriculum |
The focus is on fundamental technical skills such as ball mastery, dribbling, striking technique and 1v1 beat the defenders moves. |
Season Dates |
Fall: Tuesday, September 7, 2024 – Tuesday, November 5, 2024 Winter: Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Saturday, March 15, 2025 Spring: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 – Tuesday, June 3, 2025 No training when schools are closed. |
Games |
Development teams are for training only. Participants will scrimmage on Saturdays in the fall and spring as part of their parent-led Juniors team.
|
Fall / Spring Training Schedule |
Grade 1: Juniors 1st grade teams train and scrimmage on Saturdays, 8:30 – 9:45 am or 10:00 – 11:15 am. Grade 2: Juniors 2nd grade teams have a 60-minute training session every week at a time and location selected by the parent coach. Juniors 2nd grade teams scrimmage on Saturdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm or 2:20 – 3:20 pm. |
Winter Practice Schedule |
One indoor, 60-minute practice every week on Saturday mornings at Bigelow Middle School. 1st grade meets at 9:00 AM. 2nd grade group 1 meets at 10:00 AM and group 2 meets at 11:00 AM |
Uniform |
Uniforms are not included in the program fee. Players wear a navy-blue practice jersey. The jersey costs around $38 and is purchased through the NGS Store. Numbers are assigned by the registrar. |
Program Fee |
$750. Fee includes 3 seasons (fall, winter, spring) and covers all costs associated with the program features described above, except for uniforms. An installment plan is available: $325 due at registration. $225 due in November. $200 due in March. You must provide a credit card for automated billing. |
Refunds |
Cancellations made by October 31 are eligible for a partial refund. $325 is nonrefundable. If fees were paid in full, $425 will be refunded. Players on an installment plan will have their $425 balance voided. After October 31, there are no refunds unless the program is canceled, or the player has a season-ending injury. If a player has a season-ending injury or illness, she may receive a prorated refund. A note from a doctor must be submitted within two weeks of the injury. |
Registration Dates |
June – July Registration is first-come, first-served and accepted until the program is full. Last year, the program was filled within days of registration opening. Late registrants may join the waitlist. |
Participants
NGS 1st or 2nd graders who are highly motivated and seeking an increased challenge before starting travel soccer in 3rd grade.
Pre-requisite
Players must participate in a NGS Juniors parent-led team (weekly training and games) to be eligible for the U8 or U9 Development Academy.
Selection
There are no tryouts. All interested, qualified players may register for the program until it is full.
Roster Size
1st grade (U8): 16 players
2nd grade (U9): 16 players x 2 teams
Coaches
Development teams work with professional NGS staff coaches.
Curriculum
The focus is on fundamental technical skills such as ball mastery, dribbling, striking technique and 1v1 beat the defenders moves.
Season Dates
Fall: Tuesday, September 7, 2024 – Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Winter: Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Saturday, March 15, 2025
Spring: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 – Tuesday, June 3, 2025
No training when schools are closed.
Games
Development teams are for training only.
Participants will scrimmage on Saturdays in the fall and spring as part of their parent-led Juniors team.
Fall / Spring Training Schedule
Grade 1:
The U8 Development team trains every week on Tuesdays, 4:00 – 5:00 pm at Highlands Field.
Juniors 1st grade teams train and scrimmage on Saturdays, 8:30 – 9:45 am or 10:00 – 11:15 am.
Grade 2:
The U9 Development Academy team trains every week on Tuesdays at Highlands Field. In the fall, Group 1 meets 5:00 – 6:00 pm and Group 2 meets 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Groups will swap times in the spring.
Juniors 2nd grade teams have a 60-minute training session every week at a time and location selected by the parent coach.
Juniors 2nd grade teams scrimmage on Saturdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm or 2:20 – 3:20 pm.
Winter Practice Schedule
One indoor, 60-minute practice every week on Saturday mornings at Bigelow Middle School. 1st grade meets at 9:00 AM. 2nd grade group 1 meets at 10:00 AM and group 2 meets at 11:00 AM
Uniform
Uniforms are not included in the program fee.
Players wear a navy-blue practice jersey. The jersey costs around $38 and is purchased through the NGS Store.
Numbers are assigned by the registrar.
Program Fee
$750.
Fee includes 3 seasons (fall, winter, spring) and covers all costs associated with the program features described above, except for uniforms.
An installment plan is available: $325 due at registration. $225 due in November. $200 due in March. You must provide a credit card for automated billing.
Refunds
Cancellations made by October 31 are eligible for a partial refund. $325 is nonrefundable. If fees were paid in full, $425 will be refunded. Players on an installment plan will have their $425 balance voided.
After October 31, there are no refunds unless the program is canceled, or the player has a season-ending injury. If a player has a season-ending injury or illness, she may receive a prorated refund. A note from a doctor must be submitted within two weeks of the injury.
Registration Dates
June – July
Registration is first-come, first-served and accepted until the program is full. Last year, the program was filled within days of registration opening.
Late registrants may join the waitlist.
