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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 our Blog for more information about who we are, the FAQ page for common questions and Code of Conduct Page

Vikings Academy Winter 2024/25

Birth Years: 2020 - 2014
Play Level: Academy - Non-Competitive
Cost: $35
Sessions: Once per week

Practice Times between 5 and 8:00 PM on Friday nights
Practices start February 21st and runs through April 11

Practice Location: Intermediate School Gym (two groups at once)

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

Vikings Academy Spring 2025 Information

Birth Years: 2020 - 2016
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.

Schedule for the Academy (Spring 2025)

Season runs: April 15th to May 27th.

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

We are going to line the fields for games. The fields could move on Saturday so look for the signs with field numbers.

Everyone please bring or wear the following:

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