One of the main goals of FC Greater Boston is to develop youth players. Many experts agree that the most important soccer development occurs between the ages of 5 and 9. Unfortunately, many kids between the ages of 5 and 9 don’t receive proper instruction. For this reason, the Bolts are dedicated to properly educating and developing players in this age range in what we call the Junior Academy.
At the Junior Academy, our professional staff ensures that players learn the proper development skills; technical, tactical, physical, and psychological. All players will be accepted and will train in small groups broken up by age and ability. No player will be "cut" from the program. The primary focus at this level is the development of fundamental skills in a fun environment with the beginnings of structured team play. The Junior Academy aims to improve every player’s skills to achieve their maximum potential at their own individual pace.
Our curriculum emphasizes technique training intended to strengthen dribbling, passing, ball control, and creativity. Team play and spirit are fostered through group exercises. We also introduce the concept of “possession of the ball for a purpose,” helping young players learn that soccer is much more enjoyable (and effective) when their team keeps the ball and works toward scoring and defending. .
We will train twice weekly through the fall (Sep-Nov) and spring (Apr-Jun) and once a week during the winter session (Jan-Mar). During the fall and spring we will schedule 2-3 scrimmages.
Players from the Junior Academy will serve as a feeder system into our Bolts boys and girls NEP level teams.
Junior Academy Schedule
Online registration is now open for the Bolts Junior Academy 2012-13. Here are the details:
Who: For boys and girls, age 5-9 years old
When: 5-6pm on Wednesdays and Fridays
Dates: Beginning on Wednesday Sept 12, 2012
Location: Fessenden School in Newton 250 Waltham St. Newton, MA
Cost: $995 for the year or if paying for each season separately: $400 for fall; $200 for winter and $400 for spring season.
Registration will open on Monday, July 2, 2012 Early bird discount if registered for the full year program by July 15th $100 discount
Winter season will be indoors, Weston/Newton Location and run from beginning of January to end of March
Spring program will begin mid April and run until first week of June
Bolts Junior Academy is open to all, so be sure to tell anyone who may be interested. Players can join anytime because fees are pro-rated. We will offer intra-club scrimmage games a few times this spring.
Coaching Staff
Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly, founder of Be Ahead of the Game LLC has been a physical education teacher for 10 years, working with children pre K-4th graders. Brian has been providing area pre-schools with exciting exercise programs for years. He has been coaching soccer in New Hampshire and Massachusetts for over 16 years with groups such as Mass Youth Soccer District Selects, Newton Youth Soccer as well as conducting soccer clinics with Soccer Skills International Inc. and Delta Football Club. Be Ahead of the Game conducts its own camps, clinics and private soccer trainings all year long.
Brian was the assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for Mount Ida College, located in Newton, MA for 3 seasons. In 2006 Brian was named the # 1 Soccer Tutor in the Boston area by The Boston Globe Magazine. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, an avid member of the National Sports and Conditioning Association, National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association, and a background in personal training for children, he is concerned with level of inactivity of kids today. Brian started Be Ahead of the Game to show families and child care providers the benefits that Fun Fitness can have on their children. Brian will be earning his National Diploma from the NSCAA this summer.
