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North Canton Soccer Club

Vikings Academy

The Vikings Academy is a program for children ages 4 to 8 years old focused on soccer fundamentals and skill development. An academy is a concept that is based on professional soccer club systems from around the world. The emphasis is on developing players and FUN!

Academy coaches focus on improving the individual player’s technique. Building a strong foundation of skills and good habits will provide lasting benefits to each player’s development. The development environment within the academy will allow players to be creative, learn and enjoy playing the game. Players will develop the “feel” for the game through non-competitive games played within their group.

The academy is players train in small groups. Each group has players of similar development progress. Players who are new to soccer will be together to begin their journey; while experienced players will be grouped with other players of equal development progress. This will allow players to feel comfortable within the groups, each group to develop the same skills and increase the players' development rate.

There is no set timeline for players to move through the development stages. Players will be moved between groups at any time during the season or between seasons. Coaches and the academy director will be in communication with anyone switching groups. Groups within each development level will be split on age to ensure safety and athletic parody. For example, the new-to-soccer 4 and 5 year olds will be a group while the players 6+ new-to-soccer will be together.

The weekend sessions will be a mix of games and practices. The players who are early in their soccer development will train and scrimmage at the end of each session. The more advanced players will have weekend games on a larger field to better prepare them for our travel program.

General Information

Review How our Academy Works for more detailed information, the FAQ page for common questions and Code of Conduct Page

Vikings Academy Outdoor Information

Birth Years: 2021 - 2017
Play Level: Academy - Non-Competitive
Cost: $35
Sessions: Two per week (Tuesday and Saturday) at Champion Event Center

The Vikings Academy programs are focused on fundamentals and skill development to prepare players for our Travel soccer program. As player progress on their development journey, the skills and training sessions will be more challenging. There is no prior experience required to join this program. The program will meet players where they are and continue their development.

Everyone please bring or wear the following:

Shin guards
Long socks that cover their shin guards
Size 3 or 4 soccer ball
Water bottle

Schedule for the Academy (Fall 2025)

Season runs: Aug 23rd to Oct 11th.

Academy Session 1 (4-5 y/o): Tuesday from 5:30-6:15 and Saturday 9-9:45
Each group will practice on their corresponding field number.

Academy Session 2 (Pre-Travel, 6-8y/o): Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 and Saturday from 10:00-11:00

Schedule for the Academy (Spring 2026)

Season runs: April 14th to May 26th.

Academy Session 1: Tuesday from 5:30-6:15 and Saturday 9-9:45
Each group will practice on their corresponding field number.

Academy Session 2: Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 and Saturday from 10:00-11:00

Vikings Academy Winter Indoor (2026)

Birth Years: 2021 - 2017
Play Level: Academy - Non-Competitive
Cost: $35
Sessions: Once per week

Practice Times between 5 and 8:00 PM on Thursday or Friday nights
Practices start January 22nd and run through March 20th

Practice Location: Grace United Methodist Church Gym - 1720 Schneider St NW, North Canton, OH 44720

Practice groups will be split by birth year and developmental progress.

Players should have:

Soccer ball size 3 or 4
Shin Guards
Socks that cover their shin guards
Low top shoes
Soccer flats (indoor shoes) preferred

Registration Listing

Vikings Academy - Winter 2025/26

Academy Details for registration:

Pre-school 4 (years old) - 2nd Grade (8/1/2017 or younger)
Practice only in the winter session
Practice Times between 5 and 8:00 PM on Thursday or Friday nights
Practices start the week of January 22nd and run through March 20th
No Practice February 6th due to gym conflict - Make up date Thursday February 12th.
No practice on February 13th due to the holiday. The Thursday group will have no practice on February 12th for the Feb 6th make-up.

Practice Location: Grace United Methodist Church Gym - 1720 Schneider St NW, North Canton, OH 44720

Practice groups will be split by grade and developmental progress.

Players should have: