U8 Academy

Introducing the NEW NYS U8 Academy for the Fall 2026 Season!

The supplemental program is designed to offer players in 1st and 2nd grade an additional opportunity to practice and play in a professionally lead environment. The 7 week program will provide 7x 75min practice sessions with professional coaches, 2 x Sunday festival style game days and entry to a vacation weekend tournament (Columbus Day & Memorial Day weekends)

The role of the program is to offer a local option for those players who want a bit more soccer in their lives, and will provide a more personalized approach to skill and team development whilst maintaining the fundamentals of the NYS vision; enjoyment of the beautiful game. The U8 Academy will combine high level coaching with low pressure game days in order to prepare our players best for our travel and beyond. 

Cost: $275
Uniform:  All players must have the NYS IM orange jersey. Purchase HERE. Black jerseys will be provided.

NOTE - this program is designed for more advanced players, or those looking to add a more competitive element to their development. For new and beginner level players, check out our 1st and 2nd Grade Skills clinics HERE.

  • Day:  THURSDAY practice sessions with game day festivals on two Sundays PLUS Columbus Day/Memorial Day w/e event.
    Where: Forte Field, California St, Newton
    Time: 5-6:15pm
    Dates:
    Tryout: 9/10
    Practices: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29
    Games: 9/27, 10/10 OR 10/11, 10/25.

  • To ensure the competitive nature of the program, we will hold one tryout event each season (Fall/Spring).

    Players will play a number of small sided games and players will be selected based on feedback from professional evaluators

    It is FREE to tryout, but you must register!

    Fall Tryout: Thursday September 10th
    Spring Tryout: TBC

  • Before registering your player for the U8 Academy program, please understand the program is a limited to a small number of players each season. If there is any doubt that your player will be able to fully participate, please consider other programs.

    Missing festival game days or tournament events will impact the program as a whole - please prioritize the U8 Academy should your player be selected.

  • We will host a tryout (free to attend) on September 8th. Offers will go to successful candidates that same day and you must accept and pay within 24hours to secure your spot.

    Friend requests for teams will not be considered.

    Sunday Festivals will include at least 1 external team each event. Expect 9-12pm

    Columbus Day Weekend Event (Fall) - We enter teams into the long running Natick Fall Classic which has specific 5v5 U8 brackets: https://naticksoccer.org/wp/
    Memorial Day Weekend Event (Spring) - TBC

    Questions? Contact Director of Coaching, Ed Jenkinson.

Key Details

  • Tryouts on Thursday September 10th

  • Successful candidates will have 24hrs to accept and pay program fee

  • Tryouts are FREE to attend, but you must register.

Link to Register: HERE


For more information, or for questions, please contact DOC Ed Jenkinson.