Pre-Academy Training - Spring 2024

The Waxhaw Soccer Club Pre-Academy Program is a supplemental training option for our EDP I, EDP II, 8U, and 9U recreational players.

This program is only available for players currently enrolled in Waxhaw Soccer Club Recreational EDP I, EDP II, 8U or 9U.

For players and families who are looking for additional, in-depth soccer training, Pre-Academy is a program that was created to bridge the gap between Recreation and our Academy and Travel programs. Due to great success, we have expanded the program to even more of our younger age groups.

Players will be exposed to rigorous individual technical training and team-based skills training using small-sided games designed to provide an environment conducive to accelerating development.  We are looking to mold passionate, confident, and skillful players, while also allowing them the freedom and creativity to learn the game through the game.

Practices will be facilitated by Pre-Academy trainers Isaiah Chambers, who played collegiately for Belmont Abbey and currently coaches the U10 girls, and Matias Fiorentino Lopez, who coaches our National Youth Academy U8 & U10 Boys and our Classic U12 & U13 boys, and Jeff Mercado, director of coaching.

It’s important to understand that Pre-Academy is a pathway for our National Youth Academy Program at Waxhaw soccer, but it is not a requirement. About 75% of our Pre-Academy players move through the National Youth Academy programming. Some continue with our recreational programming. We are looking for players who have accelerated technical soccer skills and recognizable athletic abilities, yes, but we care about a player’s attitude. In fact, that’s a priority. Do they listen and process instruction quickly? Do they love soccer and work hard without incentive? More than anything, participation should be player-driven.

It's important, also, to understand that the curriculum centers around individual skill development. Therefore, we take players as they are and expect them to improve based on their baseline ability. They don’t spend much time competing with one another when the concentration is on self-improvement.

What the program offers:

• Training Sessions once a week with a pool of like-minded players (5 sessions/ 45-minutes each) 

  • Technical development: ball mastery, running with the ball, passing and receiving, ball-striking

  • National Youth Academy content-technical warm-ups, two or three fast-paced activities

• Staff identification and familiarity to identify players looking to move into our National Youth Academy and growing travel program. Pre-Academy participation does not guarantee a position in next year’s National Youth Academy.

Eligibility

All 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 birth-year players are welcome to register. 

Training Location and Time (varies by age):

HC Nesbit Park @ Field 6 - Friday's April 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17

• Session 1 - 5:30pm to 6:15pm  
• Session 2-  6:15pm to 7:00pm

Once registration has closed, you will be contacted with an assigned session and time.

Pricing:

Spring 2024 tuition will be $75 for 5 sessions. We advise registering as soon as possible to secure a position. Limited spots are available.  Once we fill the positions, a waitlist will be created, but there will be no guarantee that those placed on the waitlist will be able to participate. 

Registration:

Interested participants should be registered as current Waxhaw EDP I, EDP II, 8U, or 9U Recreational players. We have limited space in Pre-Academy. Once we fill these positions, a waitlist will be created.

JUNE 2024 - Day Camp 1: all skill levels

Camp One focuses on critical ball mastery skills and fundamental skills required to excel in soccer, such as passing, receiving, and ball striking.  Players will then be asked each day to apply the skills they rehearse in small-sided games and activities that encourage problem solving and decision making in both fun and competitive environments. No level of experience is necessary to participate in the camp.  Players will be grouped by age and/or ability.

• Who: Ages 5-15
• When: June 17-20; 9:00AM-12:00PM
• Where: Nesbit Park, Waxhaw
• Staff:  Waxhaw Soccer Directors of Coaching and Professional Staff
• Cost: $150/Camper

 JULY 2024 - Day Camp 2: all skill levels

Camp Two will continue its focus on ball mastery and the skills required to advance in soccer.  Camp two will focus on the same curriculum as Camp One.  Plus Camp Two will also hold “Advanced Training” for those players who may be starting our competitive travel program the following week.  Expect for teams to work with each other in an intensified atmosphere using a critical focus on “next steps” provided by the game coach and age director.

• Who: Ages 5-15
• Where: Nesbit Park, Waxhaw
• When: July 22-25; 9:00AM-12:00PM
• Staff:  Waxhaw Soccer Directors of Coaching & Professional Staff
• Cost: $150/Camper

June 2024 - Evening camp 1: MICRO & EDP

Waxhaw will host two evening camps for our youngest players, ages 3-6.  In a fun, active, engaging atmosphere, Waxhaw’s directors have designed activities and games that give players exposure to athletic movement, coordination, and balance all while increasing mostly ball handling techniques and ball striking opportunities.  Players won’t realize they’re developing critical soccer skills amidst having fun and making friends with each other and with the staff that will see them grow and develop year after year through Waxhaw’s Soccer Development Program.

• Who: Ages: 3-6
• When: June 24-26 (Two evening sessions separated by age)
  • Micro - 6:00pm-7:00pm
  • EDP - 7:00pm-8:00pm
• Where: Nesbit Park, Waxhaw
• Staff:  Waxhaw Soccer Directors of Coaching & Professional Staff
• Cost: $90/Camper

July 2024 - EVENING CAMP 2: MICRO & EDP

Waxhaw will host two evening camps for our youngest players, ages 3-6.  In a fun, active, engaging atmosphere, Waxhaw’s directors have designed activities and games that give players exposure to athletic movement, coordination, and balance all while increasing mostly ball handling techniques and ball striking opportunities.  Players won’t realize they’re developing critical soccer skills amidst having fun and making friends with each other and with the staff that will see them grow and develop year after year through Waxhaw’s Soccer Development Program.

• Who: Ages: 3-6
• When: July 15-17 (Two evening sessions separated by age)
  • Micro - 6:00pm-7:00pm
  • EDP - 7:00pm-8:00pm
• Where: Nesbit Park, Waxhaw
• Staff:  Waxhaw Soccer Directors of Coaching & Professional Staff
• Cost: $90/Camper

June 2024 - Youth Academy Camp 

Erik Imler, Waxhaw Soccer's new Academy Director,  is back with anothe Youth Academy Summer Camp designed and targeted for the Youth Academy player. The four-day mid-summer series conditions players for the expectations of the Academy year ahead, focusing on critical basics and proper technique. Players can anticipate significant technical repetition, small-sided game opportunities, and activities promoting critical thinking, and problem-solving. For all players entering Youth Academy Fall 2024.

• Who: Ages: 6-9 (birth years 2015-2018)
• When: June 24-27 9:00-10:30 AM
• Where: Nesbit Park, Waxhaw
• Staff:  Erik Imler and Waxhaw Staff
• Cost: $150/player

REGISTRATION now open! click the link below to begin

July 2024 - Elite Camp

Division I, II, & III Classic Players only

A mainstay in the Waxhaw summer soccer programming is the Elite Camp. This program is offered for our first and second division classic players only.

The intensity, focus, and content of the camp is specifically designed to push players and prepare players for the rigors of their respective competitive divisions. The profile of a player who would benefit the most from this camp is a player who is disciplined, independently motivated, very hardworking, and dedicated to meeting the highest expectations. 

Last year's concentration was to build technical ball mastery with situational attacking, striking, and finishing. This year’s concentration will focus on repetition of essential techniques, speed of play, and decision-making under pressure in small match application scenarios.

• Who: 2024-2025 Classic Players
• Where: Nesbit Field 8
• When: July 22-25; 7:00PM -8:30PM
• Cost: $150/Player
• Staff:  Waxhaw Soccer Directors of Coaching and Professional Staff

Elite Classic Summer Camp Registration opens after 2024/2025 team acceptance period

spring break ACADEMY CAMP

registration is closed

It’s only February, but it’s time to look ahead toward soccer during Spring Break. Coach Erik Imler, Director of Waxhaw Soccer Youth Academy, will be holding a Spring Break Academy Camp, April 1-4 during UCPS & CMS Spring Break. This is open to all Academy players registered in the Waxhaw Soccer Youth Academy in addition to players in the Youth Academy programs of neighboring clubs.

The mission of this opportunity is to pack as much technical content into soccer-specific problem-solving situations and encourage players to repeat what they've learned at home. We want players to commit to this training, work extremely hard, and strive to improve.

Coach Erik and staff are looking forward to bringing a fast-paced, highly concentrated curriculum to Waxhaw.

Youth Academy Spring Break Camp

• Dates: April 1-4
• Ages: U7-U10 (2014-2017)
• Times: 9:00-11:00am
• Location: Nesbit Field #7
• Fees: $150/player

Questions? - Contact Coach Erik Imler

spring break skills clinic 2024

Registration is closed

We’re excited to offer our Spring Break soccer skills clinic during the Union County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools respective Spring Breaks. The objective of the clinic is to have fun, but our staff intends to make sure that players learn, rehearse, train hard, and play with Waxhaw pride. 

There will be two offerings:

1. Elite Classic Training - Priority will be given to Waxhaw Soccer players, but the registration is open to any player at neighboring clubs. You must currently play at the Classic level to participate in this program. Discounts will be given for 8 or more players from the same team post-registration and completion of camp.

2. Recreational Training - Open to all players, ages, skill levels; technical camp curriculum focuses on technical repetitions and skill-building within game-like activities

Session Dates, Times, and fees

• April 1-4, 2024
• 9:00am - 11:00am
• If one of the sessions is canceled due to weather, we will add time to the training on the front or back end of the remaining training sessions to make up the time lost.

• Fees: $125 per player

Location, Pick-up,  and Drop-off

• Our skills clinic will be held at Nesbit Park.
• Feel free to drop your child off in person at the Nesbit concessions building.
• You will not have to “check-in” your child because he or she should be registered through our website.

Spectating

• Parents may wait outside/watch the training session ONLY from just inside the fencing separating the parking from the field itself or from inside cars. You may also watch from outside the fencing and from the parking lot.

Equipment and Material

• Age-appropriate inflated soccer ball
• Soccer cleats and shin guards
• Water or sports drink
• A light snack is optional
• Hand Sanitizer is optional

• Trash bag/plastic bag and change of clothes for wet weather/wet playing surface

Staff

• The session will be operated by senior staff Jeff Mercado and additional to Waxhaw Academy and Classic staff coaches.