ABOUT Junior Academy

FC Westlake’s Junior Academy is designed for U7–U10 players who are ready to take the next step in their soccer development. Offered during both Fall and Spring seasons, Junior Academy provides a structured, development-focused environment that bridges the gap between Recreational soccer and our Competitive Program, which begins at U11. With a higher level of commitment than Recreational soccer and training led by professional coaches, Junior Academy helps players build the technical foundation, confidence, and love for the game needed to continue progressing.

The Fall season runs from August–November, while the Spring season runs from February–May. Teams train twice per week with a professional coach, with all Junior Academy programming located throughout the Austin metro area. Program events, schedules, and important updates will be communicated through our club communication platform, PlayMetrics.

All Junior Academy players are required to purchase the designated uniform package through our uniform partner, Capelli Sport. Ordering information and instructions will be provided by FC Westlake club representatives.

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Junior Academy Directors

Adam Huff

Junior Academy Central Director

Tomas Garcia-Olano

East Program Director

Mackenzie Driskill

Junior Academy North Director

Karmella Gonzales

South Program Director

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The Jr. Academy program is for players between the ages of 6-10 who are ready for a greater challenge than recreational soccer. It is their first opportunity to be trained by our professional coaches.

GAME MODEL

Playing games is essential.  

At the Academy level, children learn and develop to their fullest potential through game-like experience in an enjoyable environment that supports individual growth.

Playing is not only essential to having fun, developing social skills, fostering creativity, improving dexterity, and promoting sportsmanship; playing games is where players hone their instincts for the sport.  How does a great player know just the right moment to pause, the exact second to change direction, and anticipate opportunities before they appear?  They’ve practiced it 1,000 times without even knowing they were practicing…they thought they were just having fun playing a game.  

BUILD A CULTURE OF ACTION

The very first thing our players have to learn is how to be effective, how to fend for themselves, and to be confident enough to take part in the game. Mistakes will be forgiven and poor decisions will be excused, but we want our players to be brazen, bold, and audacious enough to get out there and try things. Be assertive and play, let the chips fall where they may.  Meanwhile, the most fundamental skill in soccer is individual mastery of the ball and the creativity that comes with it. Our sessions are built around facilitating the development of the skills necessary to move and control the ball well. As the individual skills and the creativity to make them come alive in the game are developed to a level of competence, the finer points, like passing and team organization, can be taught. The most common phrases used with our U7 & U8’s are, “Go! Go! Go!” “Dribble!” & “Control the ball.”

PASSING & “SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER”

Academy soccer at U9 is where we see the most significant jump in our players’ abilities and general understanding of the game.  With this in mind, we want to try to encourage comfort with the ball and the confidence to use this skill creatively.  Our teams at this age should be full of "little dribblers,” so we can start to slowly introduce and organize the art of finding space, moving without the ball, and combining with your teammates.  The most common phrase used with our U9’s is, “Find Space!” & “Go and support!”

HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, SMARTER

We want our U10’s to be able to recognize and understand how the skills learned in U7, U8, & U9 are connected to solving problems during play. The goal is to develop players who are clever, and able to quickly and effectively make “soccer decisions.” The most common phrases used with our U10’s are, “Play when you don’t have the ball” and “Was that a good decision?” 

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