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Why a Tiered Structure?
Due to our exponential growth in the last few seasons we have begun to understand how to better serve our entire academy. Some of the challenges we have seen & why the tiered structure will help create a more developmentally appropriate environment for all are:
The introduction of the tiered structure will allow all our academy teams to benefit from the academy experience in terms of the service provided whilst also getting a more varied amount of games at a more appropriate level.
What is the Tiered Structure?
We will have three tiers to our newly formatted academy structure and they are:
Once teams are formed for the fall season (after 2/3 weeks of an evaluation process in August) the Academy directors and coaches will collaborate on the level of the teams and what tier they need to be on. A general rule we will follow on which teams would be considered Elite Academy are:
However ESC will hold the right to move teams in or out of these tiers.
Who will we Play?
All of our Academy will play in different leagues and they are, the Metro Academy League, ESC Recreational (Rec) League (pure age or year up), and In-House Games.
Having multiple levels available to play in provides us with a unique environment that will better suit everyone. Playing in the Rec league allows lower level team to get developmentally appropriate games, and will provide an array of teams to play. We also have the ability to play up a year to provide a little more competition should it be needed. Then for our Elite teams we have the ability to compete against other local academy teams.
These multiple platforms allow the coaches and directors to see teams progression as well as individual development. With our goal of moving teams up levels. These levels also allow for our team to get different competition without have to play similar or the same team every week.
ESC Elite Academy
Our Elite Academy Teams will compete in the Metro Academy League and play games against other local academy teams, as well as In-House Games.
ESC Academy
Our academy teams will compete in one of two leagues they will either play up a year in the ESC Recreational league or they will compete in their own age group in the ESC Recreational league. This will again be dependent upon the level of each team.
We will again have the ability to give these teams some in-house games to help assess the level of the team and what would be the best level of games for them.
ESC Pre-Academy
Our 2018's will start out competing in the ESC Recreational league and we have a couple of In-House games during the fall. Depending on the level of each team we may move them into the Academy League for the spring or continue what we are doing.
If teams need need stronger matchups we will look to give them games vs our academy teams or possible some outside academy teams depending on availability.
Will my child have the Opportunity to Move up Teams
The simple answer is YES. Coaches are constantly in discussion to ensure all players are playing at the appropriate level. We will have three evaluation processes to ensure all players are getting a fair opportunity to be on the appropriate team. The three time periods will be:
Once teams are formed for each season the roster will freeze until the next evaluation process, except for unique circumstances.
We will have a few different programs running through the seasons to ensure coaches get to see many players in the age group and to allow players to practice with other players.
Basic Expectations
ESC Elite Academy
Metro Academy League (increased travel) - mostly Friday night games
2 Practices per week - 1hr 15mins
Coaches = Any/All of the following - Experienced, Licensed.
Tournaments - 3 Fall & 3 Spring (minimum - more travel to play in stronger tournaments)
ESC Academy
ESC Recreational League - Friday or Saturday morning games
2 Practices per week - 1hr 15mins
Coaches = Any of the following - Experience in playing/coaching soccer, Desire to grow as a coach, Licensed
Tournaments - 2 Fall & 2 Spring (minimum)
ESC Pre-Academy
2018's ONLY (STRICT POLICY)
ESC Recreational League - Friday or Saturday morning games
2 Practices per week - 1hr
Coaches = Any of the following - Experience in playing/coaching soccer, Desire to grow as a coach, Licensed
Tournaments - 1 Fall & 1 Spring (minimum)
Price Points
ESC Elite Academy - $90 monthly
ESC Academy - $80 monthly
ESC Pre-Academy (2018's ONLY) - $70 monthly
Q. How do I know which tier to register my child for
When registering all players born 2014 to 2017 will start out at the Academy tier for registration purposes. Once evaluations have taken place and teams are formed players that are on ESC Elite Academy Teams will be moved into this pay structure and will be notified!!!
All 2018 born players will register normally for ESC Pre-Academy.
Q. How will playing in the recreational league be beneficial for my child
Playing in the recreational league will allow for teams to play against similar level of opponent which is important for development. It will also help provide more competition as teams are able to play different opponents. Finally, it will ensure all teams have games to play consistently.
Q. What value will be added if my child is on an Academy Team vs a Recreational Team
There are many pro’s to joining an Academy team and some of them are 2x practices per week, practices at Edmond Soccer Club, coaches who have experience in the game coaching and/or playing, access to Academy programs such as the Techne App, coaches having access to the academy curriculum & guidelines, ability for players to move up teams into the Elite program, access to all indoor soccer throughout the winter months
Q. Will players till have the ability to move on rosters and make a higher team
Yes. On of our core beliefs is that players should be in an environment where they are most challenged so player movement can still occur.
However, this season will be broken into three seasons to allow for players to develop on a set team. The seasons will be Fall, Winter I, and Spring. At the beginning of each season a thorough evaluation process will take place.
Q. How will my child be evaluated and seen over the course of the year
As mentioned we will have three evaluation process that will give all players an opportunity to move team if deemed appropriate. Coaches will spend the first couple of weeks evaluating all players to ensure they are placed on the appropriate team. Over the course of the year coaches will be in constant communication with one another in regards to players and discussing their development. Finally, players & teams will be given the opportunity to train with others within the age group so we can monitor the progress and development through implemented programs.
Q. When will games be played
Games for ESC Academy & Pre-Academy Teams will be played either Friday night or Saturday mornings. ESC Elite Academy teams will predominately be played on Friday nights.
Q. Do all teams attend tournaments
Yes. ESC Elite Academy teams will attend more tournaments and be expected to travel out of town to compete against some of the best clubs in the country. This past season we had two of our teams compete at one of the best tournaments in the country; Super Copa. ESC Academy & Pre-Academy teams will compete at more local tournaments and will have less travel. However, there may still be one or two out of town tournaments. All tournaments will be selected to provide the best competition for each team.
Q. Will Winter Indoor soccer still be available to all
Yes. All indoor soccer will be available to all ESC Academy tier players.
Q. Can a team move up or down
We (ESC) can move teams up or down levels based on the level. Just like we aim to develop every individual player we are also looking to develop our teams as a whole and move them up levels. The intended goal of the tiers is provide every team with developmentally appropriate games.
Example - If a team is within the ESC Academy tier and simply winning every game at ease we would look to push this team up into the ESC Elite Academy tier and provide more challenging games. The same may happen in the opposite direction.
Q. Who/How are team levels determined
After going through the player evaluation processes the coaches will get with our Academy Directors and discuss what level we believe to be appropriate for each team. During the Fall we will be continuously evaluating our teams to ensure any movement that needs to happen is corrected for the spring.