Chatham United Academy

Questions related to the Academy Soccer programs should be directed to chathamunitedacademy@gmail.com.

Age groups for 2026/27:

Player’s Birthdate Age Group Eligibility
August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2023 (Preschool) Junior
August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021 6U
August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020 7U
August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019 8U

 

Junior Academy (3-5 year olds in Preschool)

Timing: 8-week Fall season (registration opens ~June); 8-week Spring season (registration opens ~February)

Schedule: Held once a week, in the early afternoon (approx. 1-2pm), during the weekday.

Description: A clinic for our youngest players in town to learn the fundamentals of soccer and be exposed to technical aspects of the game. With local Pre-K Kickers Coaches running the program, your player will get experienced trainers and have fun.

 

6U Academy and Fall Recreation Soccer (Born between August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021)

Timing: 8-week Fall season (registration opens ~June); 8-week Spring season (registration opens ~February).

Please note: To be in Fall 6U Academy, players in Kindergarten will also be registered for Fall Recreation Soccer. Registration is combined in the Fall 6U Academy online registration process.

Schedule: Held once a week, after school. Fall Recreation Soccer is on Saturdays.

*Exact days and times for practices depend on the Town’s field allocations, and will be communicated to families closer to the start of the season, as soon as Chatham United hears.

Description: Players are taught fundamental soccer skills and then put into small-sided games to encourage as many touches on the ball as possible. Coaches follow a curriculum for players to learn new skills each week within small-sided games. Our academy-style training is player-centered. Coaches guide players, and allow ample opportunity to experiment and learn to make their own decisions in the games.

 

7U Academy and Fall Recreation Soccer (Born between August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020)

Timing: 10-week Fall season and 10-week Spring season commitment (no Winter season) plus Fall Recreation Soccer.* Registration covers both seasons. 

Please note: To be in 7U Academy, players will also be registered for their respective grade in Fall Recreation Soccer. Registration is combined in the 7U Academy online registration process.

Schedule: Held twice per week, after school*, plus opportunities for friendly games with other local clubs and towns on weekends. Fall Recreation Soccer is on Saturdays.

*Exact days and times depend on the Town’s field allocations, and will be communicated to families closer to the start of the season, as soon as Chatham United hears.

Description: Players are taught fundamental soccer skills and then put into small-sided games to encourage as many touches on the ball as possible. Coaches follow a skill-and-technical curriculum so players are learning new skills each week within small games. Our academy-style training is player-centered. Coaches guide players, and allow ample opportunity to experiment, try things, and learn to make their own decisions in the games.

 

8U Academy (Born between August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019)

Timing: 10-week Fall season and 10-week Spring season commitment. Registration covers both seasons. 

Please note: 8U Academy does NOT include Fall Recreation Soccer. Academy also does not include winter training, but there may be optional opportunities to add on. 

Schedule: Held twice per week, after school*, plus friendly tournament-style games with surrounding local clubs and towns on weekends.

*Exact days and times depend on the Town’s field allocations, and will be communicated to families closer to the start of the season, as soon as Chatham United hears.

Description: A technical development training curriculum designed to maximize individual skill development, focusing on all aspects of movement, technique and execution. These objectives are achieved by adopting a true "academy" format, where all players train together and are then "scrambled" (according to ability) in game play each week – the recommended format by US Youth Soccer for this age.

While most games will be played among Chatham Academy players, there are also opportunities to compete in games with other town soccer clubs on the weekends throughout the Fall and Spring seasons.