Junior Academy (U4-U7)

Academy & Teams

What is Junior Academy?

Welcome to the Junior Academy Program. For the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022, this program is for all players born in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015. The online registration for the fall season will open June 1st and close July 31st. The online registration for the spring season will open February 1 and close March 20th. Sessions and games will start approximately two weeks or so after registration closes or when fields are open.

Fall 2021 Junior Academy season begins Saturday August 21st and Spring 2022 Junior Academy season begins Saturday April 9th. Please Note: This dates may be adjusted due to weather, etc.

GEA Junior Academy is an exciting introduction to soccer based on what’s best for the players. The player’s individual skill development and enjoyment is at the heart of the program. All players get professional training from GEA staff members. They get practices throughout the year with small-sided games during the spring and fall seasons.The players play 4v4 to maximize touches and enjoyment.

Why Junior Academy?

Junior Academy is the first stage of the GEA Development Pathway. Led by our GEA Junior Academy Director the program is the “me and my ball” stage in a low pressure environment where individual technical development is the main focus alongside fun games that promote lots of touches of the ball. It will give your player confidence and set them up for an exciting future in soccer!

REGISTER BELOW:

http://gretnaeliteacademy.leagueapps.com/leagues/soccer/2354796-2021-fall-jr.-academy-dob-2015-2018

The cost for Jr. Academy is $100 per season.

All Jr. Academy players (U4-U7) will need a black/white reversible jersey available for purchase at Soccer Internationale, located at 132nd and Center. Cleats are optional. Shin guards are required. Players may wear shorts of their choice and long socks to cover shin guards. All players will need a #3 size ball and a water bottle, both with their names clearly marked.

All Jr. Academy games are played at the outdoor fields at the Gretna Sports Complex located at 10550 So 222nd St, Gretna, NE 68028.

The Fall season (practice and games) run from the middle/end of August through the middle of October.

The Spring season (practice and games) run from the first of April through the end of May.

U4 PLAYERS (Born in 2018)

All U4 Micro Soccer games will play on Saturdays 10:15-11:15AM. All Micro Soccer teams are co-ed.

U5 PLAYERS (Born in 2017)

All U5 games will be played on Saturdays 9:00-10:00am. All Micro Soccer teams are co-ed.

U6 PLAYERS (Born in 2016)

All U6 games will be played on Saturdays 11:30am-12:30pm. All Micro Soccer teams are co-ed.

All teams, rosters, coaches and schedules will be posted at https://www.gretnaeliteacademy.com/ website approximately 1 week prior to the start date.

All Jr. Academy teams are coached by volunteer parent coaches. Please contact Angie Perkins at angie.perkins@gretnaeliteacademy.com for more information about the Jr. Academy volunteer coaching opportunity. We will be holding a Jr. Academy Coaches Meeting at the Gretna Sports Complex prior to the start of practices.

Please contact Donnie Holstein, Jr. Academy Director at donnie.holstein@gretnaeliteacademy.com or Angie Perkins, administrator of Jr. Academy at angie.perkins@gretnaeliteacademy.com if you have any questions regarding this program.

U7 PLAYERS (Born in 2015)

U7 teams will no longer be co-ed but still coached by parent volunteers.

All U7 players will train on Tuesdays and games will be on Saturday afternoons; schedule TBD.

Tuesday training for boys will be from 5:30-6:30pm and Tuesday training for girls will be from 6:30-7:30pm.

2021 FALL SEASON

U7 Players:

Training for U7 players will start Tuesday, August 17th. Games will be held on Saturday afternoons on the following dates: August 21st and 28th / September 18th and 25th / October 2nd and 9th.

U4-U6 Players:

Training/Games will be held on Saturday mornings at the times indicated above for each age group on the following dates: August 21st and 28th / September 18th and 25th / October 2nd and 9th.

More information will be coming out the first part of August once online registration has closed.