U9 Program (2013 - 2014 Born)

Primary Focus: To create a training environment where players fall in love with the game and continue to develop their movement ABC’s (Agility, Balance, Coordination) while gaining confidence with the ball.

The ASTRA U9 program is aligned with Canada Soccer’s Long Term Player Development (LTPD), a model of athlete development that places the needs of the player at the forefront of everything we do. This second stage, “FUNdamentals”, is about developing basic movement skills like running, jumping, landing, kicking, throwing, and catching, all in a fun setting built around positive reinforcement and informal play. Our focus remains on maximizing individual player development within the greater context of soccer as a team sport. Technical skill development, physical development (coordination, balance, agility), neuro-soccer (strengthening neuro-pathways through stimulus/reactive activities), and social skills within a soccer setting (cooperation, teamwork, sense of belonging) are all important skills that become the backbone of our program at this age. This means that careful consideration is given to the social well-being of each individual as we strive to unlock each individual’s ability to excel regardless of the level that they go on to play at. We believe that this process of becoming not only helps to build better soccer players but also better people too.

Our technical program ensures players are maximizing their touches on the ball at each session. We take an innovative and unique approach which exposes each player to age appropriate and challenging technical exercises and skill games, while also introducing them to basic team components.

Sport Science: Fundamental Movement Skills Training and Neuro Soccer. These are built into the on-field training sessions. See sport science yearly plan for more details. 

Competition Philosophy: The priority here is all about fun and falling in love with the game. From a technical perspective, we encourage ALL players to run with the ball and to become confident in expressing themselves in 1v1 attacking situations all over the field.