Academy Program Overview

The PSC Academy Program is designed for children ages 8 to 9 (U9 and U10) looking for a more competitive and instructional environment than recreational soccer. For any child interested in playing select/competitive soccer at U11 and above, you cannot afford to miss having your child participate in the program.

The Academy Program focuses on preparing players for select soccer by developing fundamental skills and introducing more advanced tactics. The program is run under the direction of our Academy Director and coached by our Professional Coaching Staff. Players train twice a week August through early November in the fall, and mid-March through mid-June in the spring. 

What is Academy Level Soccer

Academy level soccer began as a state-led initiative started in 2008 by the Iowa Soccer Association (ISA) to improve the training environment and development of young players during the "Golden Age" of player development. The driving idea is to let more skillful and advanced U9 and U10 players to play with and against each other while requiring qualifying clubs to follow a number of player development guidelines.

A key feature of Academy soccer is the Eastern Iowa Youth Soccer League (EIYSL) Academy League. Only clubs capable of meeting the league's stringent guidelines are eligible to compete in the Academy League. The league offers the highest U9-U10 level of play in Eastern Iowa, and, currently, is the only inter-club league for U9s and U10s in Eastern Iowa. Every club must reapply for league acceptance each year and show it is able to meet the league's criteria for providing quality coaching to U9 and U10 girls and boys soccer players (each club in the league must have an Academy Director with a minimum US Soccer National C License).

Team Placement

There are no tryouts at this age group. Any child interested in potentially playing select/competitive soccer at U11 and above should play Academy soccer starting at U9. All interested children and parents are encouraged to attend one of our "Kick-Around" nights to practice with our professional coaches and learn more about the Academy Program.

If you missed or are not able to attend a Kick-Around you can register online for Academy. All players who register will be placed on our Academy teams.

Teams

The PSC Iowa U9/U10 Academy Program is for any child ages 8-9 years old (born in the years 2015-2016) for the 2024-2025 soccer year. Players are placed on teams based upon who registers for the Academy program. There are no tryouts for these age groups per Iowa Soccer Association rules. Teams will be filled out by the PSC Iowa Academy Director and will be selected to be evenly talented teams.

Training

All PSC Iowa Academy teams will train from the first week in August to early November in the fall and mid-March to mid-June in the spring. We will also offer playing and training options in January and February, for an additional cost. The winter training will consist on one (1) day a week for 12 weeks.

The training sessions will be conducted at the Prairie and Kirkwood soccer fields by PSC Iowa coaching staff.  Each team will train two (2) days a week, for 75 minutes per session, with their designated PSC Iowa staff coach.

Coaching Staff

All training is planned and overseen by PSC Iowa's Academy Director, Michael Robertson. He has over 30 years of coaching experience, this includes :17 years coaching college, 23 years of high school coaching, and over 13 years coaching club soccer. Also, as per the league rules we play in (see below in "League" section) Mike is a U.S. Soccer National C License coach.

The main assistant coach to the Academy Director is Steven Robertson. Steve has an impressive background coaching soccer, including: over 15 years coaching college, 25 years coaching high school, over 12 years coaching club soccer, and 5 years experience as a staff coach in the Iowa ODP program. Steve also has his U.S. Soccer National C License coach.

We will also have Max Egger (former PSC Iowa and Prairie H.S. player) working with the Academy teams, assisting both Mike and Steve. Max played soccer for more than 15 years and has been assisting the senior staff with both the Academy and the Developmental Academy teams for the past two years. Max is currently working on his Grassroots licenses and will be beginning to take his U.S. Soccer licensing this fall.

Leagues

Starting in the Fall of 2023, PSC Iowa will be joining the Eastern Iowa Youth Soccer League (EIYSL).

The EIYSL was formed in 2021 by the top soccer clubs in Eastern Iowa: including Cedar Valley SC (Waterloo), CRSA (Cedar Rapids), Dubuque SC (Dubuque), FC United (Cedar Rapids), ISC (Iowa City), Iowa Rush North (Waverly), Pearl City SC (Muscatine), and Sporting Iowa East (Bettendorf). The league was formed in the belief that competitive players need quality instruction and teaching from only the most qualified coaches if they are to progress from season to season and year to year. The organization and structure of the league allows for the clubs to schedule their most qualified coaches to attend matches.

The league schedule consists of four (4) weekends at a central sites in Eastern Iowa with teams playing two (2) games each weekend. The location of the league sites provides for limited travel for each player's parents and families.

Only pre-accepted clubs can participate in the EIYSL and only have teams playing in the league if their Director has a minimum of a US Soccer National C License.

Tournaments

PSC Iowa Academy teams will attend four (4) tournaments each year, two (2) in the fall season and two (2) in the spring season. PSC Iowa selects tournaments with the philosophy of having competitive balance, minimizing costs, and limiting travel. Tournament selections are subject to change and will be finalized at the team meeting in the first week of August. Teams are responsible for tournament costs (entry fees and coach travel expenses).

Uniforms

PSC Iowa is a Nike Soccer club. The uniform kit, that players are required to purchase, will include: two (2) jerseys, one (1) pair of shorts, and two (2) pair of socks. The approximate cost of the required items is $85.00. Players can also purchase optional items, such as warm-ups and backpacks, at an additional cost.

Players will also be required to wear practice shirts at every training session. This item is part of the Academy fees and will be provided to the players at the team meeting in August.

Fees

PSC Iowa Academy fees are: $595.00 for the year or $350.00 per season.

The fees include PSC Iowa administrative costs and coaching fees. There are other team fees that are in addition (uniforms and tournament expenses) and those fees are highlighted in above sections.

Team Meeting

PSC Iowa will hold team meetings the first week of each season. For the fall season this will occur the first week in August, and for the spring in the second week of March. These meetings will be used to discuss the upcoming season including the schedules, tournament selections, and other team specific items.