Academy (U8-U10)
The CSC Academy introduces young players to professional coaching and technical development. This training environment is ideal for U8–U10 players who love the game and are motivated to improve under licensed coaching staff.
The Academy is a supplemental program to Recreation. All players must be registered for recreation soccer to participate.
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U8 & U10 Academy
Goals & Mission
The CSC Academy prioritizes player development above all else, preparing players to progress to the travel level and beyond.
Our focus is on building technical ability, improving game understanding, developing a strong work ethic, and fostering a lifelong passion for soccer. We are committed to creating a supportive environment where every player is valued
and encouraged to reach their full potential.Curriculum Focus
Training emphasizes individual skill development, helping players become more confident, creative, and comfortable on the ball. Sessions follow best practices from US Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and United Soccer Coaches.
Weekly training themes include:
- Dribbling for possession (changes of direction, shielding)
- Dribbling for penetration (attacking moves such as scissors, step-overs)
- First touch
- Passing
- Goalscoring, finishing, and ball striking
Schedule & Eligibility
- U8 Academy: Players born between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020
- U9 Academy: Players born between August 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018
- Training: Wednesdays
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Culpeper Sports Complex
- Coaching: Professional licensed coaching staff
- U10 Academy: Players born between July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2016 *Nowincludes the U9 players
- Training: Two trainings per week. Boys: Tuesday/Thursday. Girls: Wednesday/Thursday. Goalkeeper Training is offered on Wednesdays.
- Time: 5:30PM – 7:00PM
- Location: Culpeper Sports Complex
- Coaching: Professional licensed coaching staff
- *Please note this is currently an open registration; however this format will change in the near future.
Training times and dates may change due to daylight, field availability, or weather.
2026-27 Fees
- U8 Academy: $85 per season
- U9 & U10 Academy: $110 per season
- Academy Red Jersey: $20
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U10 Challenge Program
- The Challenge program is intended for those players seeking a more competitive environment than Recreational soccer and increased player development opportunity.
- Participation is through a player placement process only. Players go through an evaluation process, whether via a mid-season practice or one of two formal Tryouts Processes, Winter and Spring, *Date TBD. No special requests are considered, no exceptions.
- Teams are offered U10; boys and girls divisions.
- A league is formed with a minimum of four teams at each age group.
- League play of 10 games in each of the fall and spring seasons. Matches are scheduled locally but some divisions may feature a small number of crossover matches with VSA sister clubs.
- Training twice per week
- Participation in the SOCA Sunburn Tournament at the end of the spring season is included. Typically the tournament takes place on the weekend after Memorial Day and serves as a culmination of the year’s play for each team.
- Players commit for a full year. Full participation in team events is expected. Coaches have discretion to manage team attendance for the benefit of all team members.
2026-27 Registration & Fees
There are no refunds of Challenge registration fees after the registration deadline, a player’s registration is a commitment to participating in the upcoming season of play.
As a convenience to our families, annual program fees have been divided into two payments for the Challenge program, one due before the Fall season upon selection for the program and the other before the spring season. Players however, are expected to participate with their teams for the full-year. Participants are welcome to make both payments at the time of the Fall registration.
Once registration has been completed, all players are expected to reasonably participate in all Challenge program activities. There are no refunds after the registration deadline. Payments can be made on-line via personal SOCA accounts, or at the SOCA office.
2026-27 Fees
- Fall Fees: $314. due June 5, 2026
- Spring Fees: $274 Registration Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Spring-only fee: $314, only for players selected at the Mid-Year Infill player placement participating in the spring season only.
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2026-27 Age Rules
Age Group Format Update
Starting in Fall 2026, U.S. Soccer is allowing youth leagues to move away from the traditional calendar birth year system (January 1–December 31) and instead use a school-year-based system (August 1–July 31).
What This Means
This change gives youth leagues the option to align age groupings more closely with the school calendar rather than the calendar year.
Why the Change Was Made
- Better align soccer age groups with school-year groupings
- Reduce disruption for players and families
- Create a more positive and consistent experience for youth players
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Documents
- U8 & U10 Academy
- U10 Challenge Program
- 2026-27 Age Rules
- Documents
U8 & U10 Academy
Goals & Mission
The CSC Academy prioritizes player development above all else, preparing players to progress to the travel level and beyond.
Our focus is on building technical ability, improving game understanding, developing a strong work ethic, and fostering a lifelong passion for soccer. We are committed to creating a supportive environment where every player is valued
and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Curriculum Focus
Training emphasizes individual skill development, helping players become more confident, creative, and comfortable on the ball. Sessions follow best practices from US Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and United Soccer Coaches.
Weekly training themes include:
- Dribbling for possession (changes of direction, shielding)
- Dribbling for penetration (attacking moves such as scissors, step-overs)
- First touch
- Passing
- Goalscoring, finishing, and ball striking
Schedule & Eligibility
- U8 Academy: Players born between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020
- U9 Academy: Players born between August 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018
- Training: Wednesdays
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Culpeper Sports Complex
- Coaching: Professional licensed coaching staff
- U10 Academy: Players born between July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2016 *Nowincludes the U9 players
- Training: Two trainings per week. Boys: Tuesday/Thursday. Girls: Wednesday/Thursday. Goalkeeper Training is offered on Wednesdays.
- Time: 5:30PM – 7:00PM
- Location: Culpeper Sports Complex
- Coaching: Professional licensed coaching staff
- *Please note this is currently an open registration; however this format will change in the near future.
Training times and dates may change due to daylight, field availability, or weather.
2026-27 Fees
- U8 Academy: $85 per season
- U9 & U10 Academy: $110 per season
- Academy Red Jersey: $20
U10 Challenge Program
- The Challenge program is intended for those players seeking a more competitive environment than Recreational soccer and increased player development opportunity.
- Participation is through a player placement process only. Players go through an evaluation process, whether via a mid-season practice or one of two formal Tryouts Processes, Winter and Spring, *Date TBD. No special requests are considered, no exceptions.
- Teams are offered U10; boys and girls divisions.
- A league is formed with a minimum of four teams at each age group.
- League play of 10 games in each of the fall and spring seasons. Matches are scheduled locally but some divisions may feature a small number of crossover matches with VSA sister clubs.
- Training twice per week
- Participation in the SOCA Sunburn Tournament at the end of the spring season is included. Typically the tournament takes place on the weekend after Memorial Day and serves as a culmination of the year’s play for each team.
- Players commit for a full year. Full participation in team events is expected. Coaches have discretion to manage team attendance for the benefit of all team members.
2026-27 Registration & Fees
There are no refunds of Challenge registration fees after the registration deadline, a player’s registration is a commitment to participating in the upcoming season of play.
As a convenience to our families, annual program fees have been divided into two payments for the Challenge program, one due before the Fall season upon selection for the program and the other before the spring season. Players however, are expected to participate with their teams for the full-year. Participants are welcome to make both payments at the time of the Fall registration.
Once registration has been completed, all players are expected to reasonably participate in all Challenge program activities. There are no refunds after the registration deadline. Payments can be made on-line via personal SOCA accounts, or at the SOCA office.
2026-27 Fees
- Fall Fees: $314. due June 5, 2026
- Spring Fees: $274 Registration Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Spring-only fee: $314, only for players selected at the Mid-Year Infill player placement participating in the spring season only.
2026-27 Age Rules
Age Group Format Update
Starting in Fall 2026, U.S. Soccer is allowing youth leagues to move away from the traditional calendar birth year system (January 1–December 31) and instead use a school-year-based system (August 1–July 31).
What This Means
This change gives youth leagues the option to align age groupings more closely with the school calendar rather than the calendar year.
Why the Change Was Made
- Better align soccer age groups with school-year groupings
- Reduce disruption for players and families
- Create a more positive and consistent experience for youth players
