What is Junior Academy?
Welcome to the Junior Academy Program. For the fall of 2022 and the spring of 2023, this program is for all players born in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. 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 15th. Sessions and games will start approximately two weeks or so after registration closes or when fields are open.
Fall 2022 Junior Academy season begins Saturday August 20th and Spring 2023 Junior Academy season begins Saturday April 15th. 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!
JR. ACADEMY PROGRAM (U4-U7)
Welcome to the Jr. Academy Program. For the Fall of 2022, this program is for all players born in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. The online registration for the fall season will open June 1st and close July 31st.
Registration is $100 per season; fall season / spring season for all U4-U6 players. Registration is $150 per season; fall season / spring season for all U7 players as they receive a day of training during the week and a game day on Saturdays. There is also a paid referee for the U7 games. Click on the link below to register:
http://gretnaeliteacademy.leagueapps.com/leagues/soccer/3067099-2022-fall-jr.-academy-dob-2016-2019
All teams, rosters, coaches and schedules will be emailed out to those registered.
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 for U4-U6 teams. You can contact Shelly Stonacek, Club Administrator, at clubadmin@gretnaeliteacademy.com regarding any information pertaining to the U7 age group. We will be holding a Jr. Academy Coaches Meeting at the Gretna Sports Complex prior to the start of practices.
All Jr. Academy players 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. For U4, U5 and U6, as an option you can use a size #1 soccer ball.
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 corner of 222nd St and Lincoln Rd).
The Fall season (practice and games) runs from the middle of August through the middle of October. Saturday sessions/games will take place on August 20, 27; September 17, 24 and October 1, 8. No sessions Labor Day weekend or on September 10th due to our Centris Cup Tournament.
U4 PLAYERS (Born in 2019) and U5 PLAYERS (Born in 2018)
All U4 and U5 Jr. Academy Soccer training/games will play on Saturdays 9:00-10:00AM. All U4/U5 Jr. Academy Soccer teams are co-ed.
U6 PLAYERS (Born in 2017)
All U6 Jr. Academy training/games will be played on Saturdays 10:15-11:15AM. All U6 Jr. Academy Soccer teams are co-ed.
U7 PLAYERS (Born in 2016)
The U7 age group will run a little differently as this is the final stage in this program before going into our Academy Program at U8. Teams will no longer be co-ed. All U7 games will be played on Saturdays afternoons; time TBD. Looking to start training, for the fall season, on Tuesday, August 16th; weather permitting.
U7B (born 2016) will train on Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm
U7G (born in 2016) will train on Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
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.
GEA Junior Academy will enable your child to:
Have fun while learning the littlest of nuances of soccer
Gain knowledge, love and passion for the game
Develop their technical sophistication on the ball
Become elegant, confident and poised players for life
Attain high soccer awareness and smarts of the game