How long has your club been in existence?
We are a fairly new club. We began with a small group of coaches who met in May of 2006 to begin the visioning process. Our teams officially began playing in August of 2006.
Are you a real club or just a collection of teams?
Unfortunately many "clubs" are nothing more than a collect of independent teams. At FC Academy we have a clear vision for our future and we have guidelines in place to have a club and not just a collection of teams.
Travel soccer has a reputation of taking over your life, is that really the case?
We prefer to use the word “select” soccer. At the younger ages U9 through U13 very little travel is required. Most young teams will be able to play local tournaments in places like Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Smyrna and Murfreesboro. Your coach will look at the local tournaments and suggest which ones would be best for that team. As parents you will be able to give feedback about your commitment level and how much you team really wants to play. All select teams should practice 2 times a week. During a season (August through October & March through May) most teams will play an average of 3 tournaments and 3 or 4 Sunday afternoons of classic games. During the winter of summer each team has the freedom to decide if they want to take that time off or hold practices. Again, the age, skill level and commitment of the team will determine how many games or tournaments need to be scheduled.
Can I join a team midseason?
Yes, if you are not currently registered with a team you can contact the DOC, team coach or manager to arrange a tryout.
When do you hold tryouts?
The State Association regulates when state sanctioned clubs can hold tryouts. For 2009-2010, U-9 through U-14 players can tryout for an FC Academy team on May 18, & 20. U-15 through U-18 can try-out on Sunday, June 7. Tryouts will be held at the USN River Campus off Briley Parkway.
Is there a cost to tryout?
No. We will however need you to fill out some basic paperwork.
Who can tryout for a team?
The State allows players ages U-9 through U-19 to play select soccer.
When will I know if I made a team?
Our goal is to notify everyone within one week of tryouts. If you do not make one of our teams we hope you will continue to work on your skills by playing recreational soccer, attending camps and participating in clinics.
How much does it cost to play on a FC Academy team?
Each player must pay $30 to register with the State and $150.00 a year in club dues ( begining Fall, 2009). Players are also responsible for purchasing their uniform kit. As a club we are committed to keeping the cost down so we currently offer two different uniform kits. Each kit includes 2 jerseys, one pair of shorts, two pairs of socks and a backpack. Each player must also contribute to the expenses of the team, which include paying referees, paying tournament fees and the coach’s stipend. Each team has some freedom, under the coach’s guidance, to determine how many games or tournaments they want to play in each season. Most teams require $200 - $550.00 from each player to cover all expenses per season. The cost is divided by the number of players so if you have a large roster the cost per player will be less. Most teams offer scholarships and as a club we hope to never turn a player away due to money.
What is the plan for forming a new team?
The Director of Coaching will help to select a qualified coach for each age group. After a coach is selected the parents must meet to decide who will be the team manager. In select soccer the primary job of the coach is simply to coach so all paperwork will be done by the team manager. The parents must also select a team representative for the Board of Directors. The team representative can be the manager or another parent but this person will need to attend the board meetings. After all this is in place commitment letters will need to be to signed (required by the State), a photo and copy of a birth certificate will need to be provided to the manager, club dues and state registration fees must be paid, the club code of conduct must be signed (each player, parent, manager and coach will have to sign a code of conduct) and then the team is officially up and running. The next step will be to start scheduling classic games and tournaments and to secure a practice area.
Who are your coaches?
The State has requirements about who can coach a select soccer team. A division III team must have a coach with an E license, a division II team must have a coach with a D license and a division I team must have a coach with an C license or higher.
How are decisions made within the club?
Our board of directors meets monthly and our meetings are open to the public. We value your voice within the club and we hope you will share your ideas, concerns or suggestions with the board.
Where do your team practice?
Each team can choose to practice in a place that is convenient for the players on that team. We currently have teams that practice all over Nashville including the Jewish Community Center, Percy Warner Park, Trevecca University and the River Campus.
What color are your team’s uniforms?
We currently wear Puma gear. Each player has black shorts along with a white jersey and a yellow jersey with matching socks.
What size soccer ball does my child need?
Soccer Ball Sizes
U5-U8: Size #3
U9-U12: Size #4
U13 and above: Size #5
