Programs Offered
Below is a listing of our current program offerings for players to train throughout the year. Players are grouped and assigned to our Grasshoppies, Crickets, Lions and Eagles programs.
- Year-round Pre-Academy (Sundays) is the core component of our Pre-Academy curriculum and forms the basis for all instruction and supplementary programs offered by our Pre-Academy. The curriculum is delivered over 6 seasons, starting with an introductory game-play and continuing to a more skill-development.
- Supplemental Training and Games for 5-7/yo (Fridays), 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Hillsdale HS Grass field on Fridays through 10/24. Short training warm up followed by small sided games ideal for 5-7/yo players getting ready to step up to competitive soccer.
- Winter Program (January through March) for players who want to continue their training through the winter months
- Summer Program (July through August) that helps keep players in shape and continue their training through the summer months.
See below for age group descriptions and general program information. Please contact our Director of Programs if you have further questions.
Grasshoppies Academy (ages 3-5)
The Grasshoppies Academy is the entry-level program for the Pre-Academy. Grasshoppies is perfect for young children between the ages of 3 and 4 who have more energy than their parents. Grasshoppies prepares players for easy transitions into the Crickets Academy, and subsequently, into competitive FORCE North teams
Ideal for: 3 and 4 year olds, or 5 year olds completely new to organized sports that may need some extra attention.
Regular Season Time: Every Sunday, 9:00am - 10:00am
Regular Season Location: Hillsdale High School turf field
Regular Season Cost: $85
Crickets Academy (ages 4-6)
The Crickets program is very popular with young players for whom there are no competitive leagues yet. Crickets Academy develops skills and prepares players for an easy transition into the Eagles or Lions programs, and subsequently, competitive teams at older ages.
Ideal for: 4 to 5 year olds recommended to move up from Grasshoppies by their coaches. Also, 6 year olds completely new to soccer.
Regular Season Time: Every Sunday, 9:00am - 10:30am
Regular Season Location: Hillsdale High School turf field
Regular Season Cost: $95
Lions Academy (ages 5-8)
The Lions started in 2013 as the programs expanded to accommodate more skill levels and player development. This program is for those that have attended the Crickets program or are new to soccer. It develops skills and prepares players for an easy transition into FORCE North teams.
Ideal for: 6 and 7 year olds, or 5 year olds recommended to move up from Crickets by their coaches. Also for 8 year olds completely new to soccer.
Regular Season Time: Every Sunday, 9:00am - 10:30am
Regular Season Location: Hillsdale High School turf field
Regular Season Cost: $115
Eagles Academy (ages 7-9)
Our aim is to prepare Eagles pre-academy graduates to be ready for the technical and physical demands of our first year Academy teams (U8/U9). Eagles will be exposed to all of the technical and physical training our U8 players receive, with the exception of the tactical component needed for competitive games.
The Eagles curriculum incorporates the following aspects of our U8 curriculum:
- Technical skills: juggling, passing and receiving, dribbling, long balls, shooting, dribbling against an opponent (1v1), heading, moves / fakes, tackling
- Psychomotor Skills: basic motor skills, postural, sensory perception, acrobatic abilities
- Coordination Ability: combined movements, spatial & temporal skills, differentiation, reaction, balance, adaptation & transformation, rhythm, anticipation, motor creativity
- Athletic & Physical Ability: speed (perceptive, anticipative, decisional, reaction, cyclic motor, acyclic motor, action, intervention), proprioception, articular mobility
These four basic elements are essential in player development. Exposing young players to these skills before age 11 enables them to reach their maximum potential. Eagles players will begin with the simplest of exercises to build confidence while still maintaining challenge for each individual.
The Eagles program will be lead by our U8 & U9 Academy Age Group Head Coach Orhan Muratoglu with assistant coaches under his supervision.
Ideal for: 7 and 8 year olds, or 9 year olds not ready for a competitive team but still interested in training.
Regular Season Time: Every Sunday, 9:00am - 10:30am
Regular Season Location: Hillsdale High School turf field
Regular Season Cost: $125