The Montana Flathead Rapids “The Valley’s Premier Level Soccer Club” has teamed up with Glacier United Soccer Club to
host an 8-week youth soccer academy April 13 - June 3, 2010. Training sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Smith Fields in Whitefish, Montana. The largest most overwhelming problem with youth soccer players coming from Montana is they do not understand the basic techniques needed to play the game. As a result, players, coaches and parents are more focused on winning at the youngest age groups rather than learning the techniques needed to succeed. The Goal of the Academy is Player Development.
The Academy Philosophy is now being recommended by Montana Youth Soccer Association statewide. Several cities throughout the state have already implemented similar programs including Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula. The basic principles of the program include; high level coaching, age appropriate training, skill development, focus on player development, more playing time, fear of failure removed, risk encouraged, more training, and less travel.
The Academy Developmental Program helps children ages 9-12 shift from recreational to more competitive play, with an emphasis on teaching players fundamental individual skills. While most games will be held in Whitefish, teams will travel to games in Kalispell and other potential “play-date” locations throughout the state monthly.
The Montana Flathead Rapids and Glacier United (GU) have embraced this philosophy and looks forward to the implementation of the academy structure within the club. The GU Board of Directors and the Rapids Academy Director believe that focusing on individuals, as opposed to teams, at these ages will better allow the Valley to develop players, keep players interested in the game, and create a better pool to choose from upon forming our older, more elite teams.
The coaching pool is made up of exceptional talent which includes; accredited and licensed instructors, current high school and club coaches, former semi-professional and collegiate level soccer players, and decorated athletes with measured success and accolades. Click here to meet our coaching staff.
