OVERVIEW

The Developmental Academy Program is an 11-week program designed for 6 and 7 year-olds (born in 2017 or 2018) who want a more intensive instructional environment of professional coaching each week.

The Developmental Academy starts in mid-August and goes through the end of October in the fall, and from mid-March (after spring break) and runs through the first week on June. Training is two (2) days a week, for 60-75 minutes, with one of the PSC Iowa professional coaches. PSC Iowa follows a specially designed, age-specific, curriculum that will help the players develop their soccer skills and instill a love for the game. All training will be conducted at the Prairie Soccer Fields and the Kirkwood soccer fields.

The Developmental Academy teams will participate in the PSC Iowa Developmental League (PSC-DL). This is conducted on Sundays during each season and consists of a 30-minute skills session followed by a game. The Developmental Academy teams will compete in the league against kids in the basic Developmental program. The games will be played in a 4v4 format and will consist of four (4) 10-minute quarters.

This group will also participate in local "Friendlies" against other clubs in the Cedar Rapids area and may participate in one (1) tournament each season (the League America Festival run by the Iowa Soccer Association). The "friendly" games will be scheduled each season on Saturdays as not to interfere with the Sunday Developmental league games. All games will be coached by one of PSC Iowa's staff.

There are no tryouts for this program and any player is welcome to join.

TEAMS

Players are placed on teams based upon who registers for the program. Teams will be filled out by the PSC Iowa Academy Director and will be selected to be evenly talented teams.

TRAINING

Developmental Academy teams will train from mid-August to the end of October in the fall and mid-March (after spring break) through the first week in June for the spring season. The training sessions will be conducted at the Prairie and Kirkwood soccer fields by PSC Iowa coaching staff.  Each team will train two (2) days a week, one required and one optional (if you want extra training or miss the required session) a week, for 60-75 minutes per session, with their designated PSC Iowa staff coach.

PSC Iowa follows a specifically designed, age-specific, curriculum that will help the players develop their soccer skills and instill a love for the game. We will also offer playing and training options in January and February.

COACHING STAFF

All training is planned and overseen by PSC Iowa's Academy Director, Michael Robertson. He has over 30 years of coaching experience, including 17 years coaching college, 23 years of high school coaching, and over 13 years coaching club soccer. He holds a U.S. Soccer National C License.

The main assistant coach to the Academy Director is Steven Robertson. Steve has an impressive background coaching soccer, including over 15 years coaching college, 25 years coaching high school, over 13 years coaching club soccer, and 5 years experience as a staff coach in the Iowa ODP program. He also holds a U.S. Soccer National C License.

All other staff coaches will complete their applicable Grass Roots license before coaching for PSC Iowa.

LEAGUES

The Developmental Academy players will participate in the PSC Iowa Developmental League (PSC-DL). The PSC-DL is played on six (6) Sundays, and the dates for the Fall 2024 season are: September 8, September 15, September 22, October 6, October 13, and October 20. The make-up dates will be September 29 for the September days, and October 27 for the weekends in October.

The intra-club "Friendlies" with CRSA and FC United will be scheduled in the beginning of August between the clubs after teams have been formed.

TOURNAMENTS

The costs of these tournaments (entry fees and coaches expenses) are included in the fees for the program.

UNIFORMS

PSC Iowa is a Nike Soccer club. The uniform kit, that players are required to purchase, will include: two (2) jerseys, one (1) pair of shorts, and one (1) pair of socks. The approximate cost of the required items is $70.00. Players can also purchase optional items, such as warm-ups and backpacks, at an additional cost. Each player is responsible for purchasing their uniform.

Players will also be required to wear practice shirts at every training session. This item is part of the Academy fees and will be provided to the players at the team meeting in August.

FEES

PSC Iowa Developmental Academy fee for the year is $345.00. The fee for the fall season only is $195.00.

The fees include PSC Iowa administrative costs and coaching fees. There are other team fees that are in addition (uniforms) and those fees are highlighted in above sections.

TEAM MEETING

PSC Iowa will hold team meetings the first week of each season. These meetings will be used to discuss the upcoming season including the schedules, tournament selections, and other team specific items.