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.