Program Overview
JRA 2023/2024 Program Overview
The Junior Academy program builds on the FUNdamental skills and techniques introduced in the mini-kickers program, with more focus on introducing players to a team environment and learning the game.
For 2023/24 the Junior Academy program will cater to the following age groups:
U7 (2017) Boys & Girls
U8 (2016) Boys & Girls
Individual and team skill development will be stressed ahead of winning, with a focus on fun and long term development. The program will give players the foundational skills required to prepare for U9 soccer and beyond. All U8 Junior Academy players will be eligible to graduate and try out for our U9 club teams for the 2024/25 season. Tryouts for the 2024/25 season will be held in May 2024, details of which will be announced later in the spring.
For all questions about our program please feel free to call or email us:
Ian Abrey
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Laurence Smith
Junior Academy Program Information
The 2023-2024 JRA payment schedule will be broken into seasonal payments (FALL, WINTER, SPRING) with the options of training and/or playing games.
SPRING 2024 | ANNE ARUNDEL
Practice Program - $195.00 | 1x practice night on Monday evenings at Indian Creek Upper School
Team Program - $450.00 | 2x practice nights on Monday and Wednesday evening's & 7v7 Games on the weekend in the Anne Arundel County league. This program will have limited spaces.
See below for more information on Anne Arundel spring programming.
SPRING 2024 SOUTH | CALVERTON SCHOOL
Practice Program - $195.00 | 1x practice night on Monday evenings at Calverton School
Team Program - $295.00 | 1x practice night on Friday evening and 7v7 Games on the weekend in the Anne Arundel County league. This program will have limited spaces.
** Not including Playmetrics processing fee
YEARLY CALENDAR
SPRING - 3 month program (March - May) *BEGINS MARCH 2024*
Two Programs are offered for U7 and U8 players:
1. Practice Program (1 practice per week)
This option is perfect for U7 players and U8 players who are newer to soccer or who also have commitments and interests with multiple sports in the spring.
2. Team Program* (2 practices per week, with 7v7 games on the weekend). The Team Program will play within the Anne Arundel County 7v7 leagues at U8. This option is perfect for stronger U7 and U8 players who are ready for increased competition. Limited spaces available for this program.
For spring 2024, we plan to enter 2-3 U8 boys teams and 1-2 U8 girls teams into the Anne Arundel County 7v7 leagues. The exact number of teams will be dependent on final number of registrations, current skill levels of players within the program and number of divisions offered by the league. This will allow us to provide the most productive playing experience for all players.
*Note the Team program is for the more committed soccer players who are ready for increased competition that comes with playing in the 7v7 team program format. Our Junior Academy program coaches will evaluate all players to ensure their suitability for the more competitive team program setting and reserve the right to keep players in our practice only program if we feel it is in the best interest of the player’s current skill and maturity levels.
FALL - 3 month program (August - End of October) *BEGINS EARLY AUGUST 2024*
Two Programs are offered for U7 and U8 players:
1. Practice Program (1 practice per week)
This option is perfect for players who are newer to soccer or who also have commitments to other sports in the spring.
2. Team Program* (2 practices per week, with 7v7 games on the weekend). The Team Program will play within the Anne Arundel County 7v7 leagues at U8.
WINTER - 3 month program (December - End of February) *BEGINS EARLY DECEMBER 2024*
U7 & U8 - 1 practice per week (typically split into two time slots), as well as participation in a local futsal league on the weekend.
Once you have registered and made payment for our Junior Academy program, please contact ian.abrey@mdunitedfc.org (Crownsville) or laurence.smith@mdunitedfc.org (South Calverton) to receive more information to order the Junior Academy uniform.
Approximately $85.00 for a Red & White Jersey, Shorts, Socks & Ball.
For Practice and Games, players must wear their MD United Red Jersey, Red Shorts, Red Socks, Shinguards, and bring a Ball.
Players who play the entire season (fall, winter and spring) can use the same uniform throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
The U7 & U8 program has evolved to offer the choice of 1 or 2 practices per week. We offer two programs as our Junior Academy is designed to cater for all levels of players, whether new to the game or players who have been playing soccer for 1-2+ years.
Firstly we have a practice only program for players newer to the sport or with other sport commitments, with one practice per week. This is a great option for U7 players or U8 players who are newer to soccer. The second program offered is our team program, which is for the more committed soccer players, given the 3-day a week commitment. This option is great for stronger U7 and U8 players who are ready for increased competition. This program is This includes two practices per week and games in a 7v7 league on the weekend.
Players who graduate from our Junior Academy program, will try-out for the rising U9 Maryland United FC travel team the following year.
NO. All players can participate in the Junior Academy Program. We create multiple teams in this age group so players can enjoy and learn the game of soccer.
As a parent you need to ask yourself: Does my child enjoy and want to play soccer more than 1 night a week? Does my child want to play in competitive games on the weekend? Is my child eager to learn and develop more skills? If you answered yes, then the Junior Academy program is the correct choice for your child.
