We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership between the French American Academy (FAA) and the Global Soccer Academy (GSA), marking a significant step forward in enriching our students’ extracurricular & athletic experiences. This collaboration is set to kick off with soccer enrichment classes every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during the spring enrichment period from April to June. Building on this foundation, we plan to introduce more advanced soccer training for the 2024-25 school year, tailored to nurture and challenge our young athletes.
A Perfect Match: Why FAA and GSA Are Teaming Up
The synergy between FAA and GSA stems from a shared commitment to intentional learning, where every activity and exercise is crafted with clear learning objectives in mind, both in the classroom and out of it. For example, soccer drills are designed not only to improve ball-handling skills but also to teach teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. This meticulous approach ensures that our students not only excel in soccer but also grow academically and personally, developing confidence and a sense of achievement, embodying the FAA’s well-rounded student philosophy.
GSA Program Philosophy: Soccer and Beyond
At the heart of GSA’s curriculum is a profound respect and love for soccer, often referred to as “the beautiful game.” The program is carefully structured to introduce students to soccer’s fundamentals and gradually advance them through more complex skills and strategies. This dual focus emphasizes not only the technical and physical aspects of soccer, such as ball handling, game tactics, and physical fitness but also prioritizes educational and personal development. By fostering cognitive skills, emotional intelligence, and values like respect, perseverance, and sportsmanship, GSA’s philosophy aligns perfectly with FAA’s holistic approach to education.
Introducing the FAA Soccer Program Curriculum & Methodology
Program Highlights:
- Emphasizing Enjoyment and Development: This program offers a vibrant mix of fun and learning, focusing on the joy of playing soccer without the pressure of competitive play.
- Skill Refinement: Sessions are designed to refine essential soccer skills like dribbling, shooting, passing, and understanding the game, all within a rewarding environment.
- Positive Coaching: Our coaches create a welcoming atmosphere, using encouragement and constructive feedback to motivate every child.
- Variety of Drills and Games: With a new adventure every session, our drills and games keep the experience light, enjoyable, and engaging.
- Holistic Development: Beyond physical skills, we emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, and communication, fostering valuable life lessons.
- Community Spirit: The program strengthens community bonds, encouraging friendships among kids, connections among parents, and a sense of belonging within the GSA family.
- Program Structure: Thoughtfully structured sessions balance instruction, practice, and game time, ensuring active participation and skill application in a team setting.
Preschool Program Methodology
The Preschool program is designed around the methodology of “child with a ball” and focuses on maximizing the time each child spends with a ball during the 60 minute session. This methodology is grounded in the belief that providing the youngest players with extensive, direct interaction with the ball in a variety of contexts fosters a deep connection for the game, enhances technical skills and builds confidence.
For example, when players go on water breaks, they go while dribbling the ball. With an average of 3 water breaks per hour and each water break lasting 3 minutes, over the course of the 10 week program, that’s more than 90 minutes of additional ball handling, improving not only the physical skills of students, but also the cognitive awareness of the players. The students are also taught to listen to coaches with one foot on the ball which reinforces balance.
Goal & Objective
The primary goal is to make sure that children have a positive and enjoyable experience. Activities are designed to be engaging and entertaining, ensuring that children look forward to participating and develop a love for the game.
Kindergarten & Up Methodology
The Kindergarten & Up soccer methodology focuses on comprehensive development from an early age, emphasizing ball mastery and technical training as its foundation.
Ball Mastery is the cornerstone of this program and involves spending a significant amount of time on ball skills and technical work. Repetition accelerates performance and through this ideology, children develop a close relationship with the ball, enhancing their control, touch and ability to dribble in tight spaces. Alongside ball mastery, technical training introduces the fundamental skills necessary for soccer, including passing, receiving, dribbling, defense, and shooting. This training is structured to be age-appropriate, ensuring that children can progress at their own pace while building a solid technical foundation. For the younger participants, the program emphasizes 1v1 scenarios, referred to as the “Phase of Play.” This stage educates kids to master playing against a single opponent, focusing on using their technical skills in a competitive context. Mastering 1v1 scenarios is pivotal as it simulates a significant portion of real-game situations.
As children mature and their skills develop, the program introduces more complex phases of play, including 2v1, 2v2, and rondo-based training. These advanced scenarios teach children to apply their technical skills in more dynamic and pressured situations. Understanding how to navigate these scenarios can make all the difference in a match.
Goal & Objective
The goal of the Pre-K & Up soccer methodology is to develop well-rounded, technically proficient, and tactically aware soccer players who have a deep understanding of the game. This goal encompasses not only the technical and tactical aspects of soccer but also aims to instill values such as teamwork and sportsmanship.
Who Is It For?
The Recreational Soccer Program is perfect for kids who want to play for fun, stay active, and enjoy being part of a team. The following slots will be available for the 2024 Spring enrichment period starting on April 1st until June 13th:
Spring 2024 Soccer Schedule
| Day | Time Slot | Age Group |
| Monday’s | 3:30 to 4:30 | PreK3 & PreK4 |
| Monday’s | 4:30 to 5:30 | 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade |
| Wednesday’s | 3:30 to 4:30 | 4th to 8th Grade |
| Thursday’s | 3:30 to 4:30 | Kindergarten & 1st Grade |
Who will be coaching?
Christian Rodriguez – Head Coach at GSA
Christian Rodriguez leads the coaching team at GSA with a wealth of knowledge and experience in youth soccer development. With a robust background in the U.S. soccer licenses, he brings a comprehensive understanding of player development from the ground up. His expertise is not limited to coaching; Christian also plays a crucial role in scouting young talent as a youth scout for the NY RedBulls Youth program, showcasing his keen eye for identifying and nurturing future stars. His dedication to soccer education and player development makes him an invaluable asset to GSA, where he applies his skills and knowledge to foster a positive and growth-oriented environment.
Lula Mansilla – Coach at GSA
Lula Mansilla brings a dynamic and inspiring coaching style to GSA, underpinned by her comprehensive training in all U.S. Grassroots licenses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, & 11v11). Her experience as a pivotal player for the St. Peter’s Women’s Soccer Team has equipped her with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and triumphs of competitive soccer, which she leverages to connect with and motivate her players. As a Spanish National, Lula incorporates a rich soccer heritage into her coaching philosophy, blending technical precision with a passionate love for the game. Her ability to develop and inspire young athletes makes her a vital part of the GSA coaching team, contributing significantly to the holistic development of the program’s participants.
Tom Climpson – Coach at GSA
Tom Climpson is a distinguished member of the GSA coaching staff, bringing a unique blend of leadership, technical expertise, and competitive experience to the team. As a holder of all U.S. Grassroots licenses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, & 11v11), Tom has a deep understanding of the developmental needs of players at every stage of their growth. His leadership qualities were honed on the field as the captain of the St. Peter’s Men’s Soccer Team, where he demonstrated exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and the ability to inspire his teammates. Tom’s international experience as an English National adds a valuable perspective to the GSA coaching team, enriching the program with global soccer insights and practices.
Looking Ahead with Excitement
Both the French American Academy and Global Soccer Academy are eagerly looking forward to this partnership, confident in the positive impact it will have on our students’ growth, both on the soccer field and in their personal development. Together, we are committed to providing an enriching, supportive, and enjoyable learning experience that will inspire our students for years to come!
For more information on Global Soccer Academy, please visit their website at https://www.globalsocceracademy.com/
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