Program Information - Outdoor
Volunteer coaches are needed for all levels. Without coaches we cannot have teams no matter how many children register.
Players must play in their appropriate age level unless exceptional circumstances are determined by our Technical Committee. For more information refer to - Policy 120: Player Movement (found under the Information/Polices, Rules and Regs Tab)
Arsenal Program (U9- U19)
All U9 to U19 league teams practices are in Fort Saskatchewan and their games are in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan.
COMMUNITY
The Community program is our cornerstone. This is where our program started and where our hearts lie. It is for anyone and everyone that wants to come out and play a sport that we have all grown to love. The focus of this it to develop the kids’ fundamental skills and teach them how to be a team player.
COMPETITIVE
The Competitive program is newer to us. We will conduct Assessments and construct the teams so that Like Minded and Committed players are put together. This allows all players and coaches to develop at a pace that supports all the needs of each player within the team.
These teams are based off of the Assessment scores that will be performed by our Programs Director, Coaches, and when needed outside Contractors.
CLUB
We will be starting our Club program this year at the U9 Level. Working together with Lonestar Institute we hope to establish a sustainable pathway for families who are dedicated to performing at the highest level. Club outdoor seasons do run longer than the Competitive or Community level programs usually running into the first week of August if the teams make Provincials.
We will be running this program with Lonestar’s Learn, Repeat and Apply methodology. This will help not only to develop our Players but our Coaches as well. Each month, we will have a Technical Lead from Lonestar out to lead one of the practices, then the Coach will run a solo session, and then the Technical Lead will support the Coach with any areas that need improvement.
There will also be Academy style Technical sessions provided to these teams to improve the foundational technique in all aspects of the game. (EG : Shooting, Passing, Dribbling etc.)
Vision and Mission
Our overall goal is to be Positive Role Models and Influences in the short time that we get to spend with all of the players. Nothing makes us happier than when kids are excited to come to practice and be with their teammates and coaches. Arsenal is a place where everyone belongs.
U5 and U7 Junior Arsenal Programs ***New Format****
U5
U5 will be played twice a week. We are following Alberta Soccer and Canada Soccer in running the Grassroots Program. We are teaching age-appropriate basic fundamental movement skills. The emphasis is on having fun while learning the basic physical literacy skills. Information on the ASA Grassroots program can be found at Festival Play (PTM) - Alberta Soccer
ASA believes that players at this age level benefit more from learning soccer basics by keeping all players engaged with more ball touches. The ASA grassroots plan is to have no teams at these age levels.
Each group will be rotating through four stations which are:
- General Movement
- Soccer Technique
- Coordination
- Small Sided Games
Each station is 12-15 min to ensure maximum ball touches for each player.
All players will receive a practice jersey the color will be dependent on the group they are in and the Coaches' shirts will match.
U7
U7 will be played twice a week. We will be working with LoneStar Institute who will be primarily coming in to offer our coaches support. We will be offering extra coaching clinics to help new coaches through the coaching process. We have implemented the Learn, Repeat, Apply strategy. All drills will be done for 3 weeks. At the beginning of week 4, Lonestar Institute coaches will be out to teach new drills and to help coaches with any questions or issues they may have. 2nd year U7 players who are interested in playing premier for U9 will be invited out to participate also in U9 academy-style training.
Players will be put into different groups weekly in hopes of letting like-minded players play together. U7s will get black practice shirts and will receive different colour pinnies weekly depending on the group they are in.
Day 1 of the week will be station rotation. All players will move around the four stations: General movement, soccer techniques, coordination, and small-sided games.
Day 2 of the week will be 2 stations rotating weekly and a game.
