CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Soccer Association recently introduced local youth players and their families to the newly formed Soccer Academy at an open house at its indoor soccer complex located behind the Lawrence Township Police station in Hyde. Approximately 60 players and parents were in attendance to find out more about the academy and the opportunities for winter soccer training during Sunday afternoon clinics that are scheduled to begin in January.
The academy’s goals are to provide youth training sessions that teaches individual techniques, develops skills at game speed and incorporates fun, fair play and teamwork. In addition to youth training, the academy will provide coaches with clinics in technical development games and activities that will provide local coaches with a better understanding of the game as well as confidence building. Coaches Colin Howell and Mike Auman will provide the primary instruction. The academy’s vision is “to be recognized as the premiere training academy in Central Pennsylvania, providing a professional, positive and fun soccer training experience for all players and coaches,” stated Auman.
Clearfield Soccer Association President Bob Aleksivich added, “the CSA is fully committed to the academy and recognizes the importance of developing our young players and coaches.” He added that the association is very pleased that Auman and Howell have stepped up to provide a significant opportunity for area soccer players to improve their technical and tactical abilities, as they elevate their level of play.
Youth player clinics will be held indoors every Sunday afternoon in the months of January, February and March. The accelerators clinic is designed for boys and girls ages 10 to 14 years old who are interested in improving their fundamental techniques and applying them to game conditions. The mini-kickers Clinic is for players ages 6 to 9 who want to learn the basic techniques essential to play good soccer and apply them in fun related games. Tot soccer is an additional Academy program that is held on Friday evenings that allows 3- to 5-year-olds and their parents an opportunity to be introduced to a soccer ball. The coaching clinics are age-group focused benefiting both new and experienced coaches. The cost of each clinic is $8, payable on the clinic day. Space is limited so it is recommended that anyone interested sign-up in advance at the Indoor Complex or contact the program facilitator at 765-4860 to reserve at spot. (See the full schedule below.)
In addition to the clinics, there is open play time scheduled on Saturday mornings beginning Jan. 6 for the following ages:
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.; first and second grades
10:30 – 11:30 a.m., third and fourth grades
All players that come will play supervised “pick-up” games. This is a good way to introduce your child to soccer or simply get them out for a fun-filled hour of exercise. The cost is $1 for the hour.
For older players there are open play times that are as follows:
Adult soccer; Thursdays 8-9 p.m.
High school players; Tuesdays beginning Jan. 9, 8-10 p.m.
For more about any of the indoor programs, give Aleksivich a call at 765-4860 or catch him at the indoor complex any Tuesday or Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m.
