U9 Academy
Coming Fall 2008
Why an Academy Program?
The U9 age group is extremely important to the development of youth soccer players in Iowa and it is vital to create an appropriate developmental environment without making the environment too competitive or restrictive, resulting in players leaving the sport. Currently players in the U9 age group participate together irrespective of skill, athletic ability or physical size. The Iowa Soccer Association believes that by changing th U10 environment to accommodate different athletic abilities and levels of play that there will be many benefits for U9 players.
League Format
- Teams will play 7-8 league games per season.
- Games cannot be rescheduled unless cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Cancelled games will be rescheduled by the individual clubs, not ISA.
- Games will be scheduled on Saturday mornings (where possible).
- Member clubs will be responsible for referee assignment. The ISA Academy League will not assign referees.
- Schedules will be posted on an ISA Academy League website.
Team Formation
- Academy teams cannot be formed on the basis of talent and must be formed as true recreational teams.
- Academy teams will be mixed each season to improve the developmental environment and to place the focus on the individual, not the team.
- Maximum roster size is 10 players, recommended roster size is 8 players.
- Free movement of academy players is allowed in academy clubs to fulfill fixture commitments.
- Double rostering on recreational teams is not permitted.
- Guest playing is not permitted on non academy teams in U9/U10 recreational tournament play.
