Academy Teams

Stars United Soccer Club

2008-2009 STARS UNITED ACADEMY TEAMS

Stars United Academy U9 & U10 teams participate in the PPA Juniors League and attend local tournaments for additional competition. Stars United is based in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania just 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. Interested players should contact the Director of Coaching, Mark Perry or the respective team coach for information.

PPA SCHEDULE

Team Contact Info

Team	Head Coach	Asst. Coach	Manager
U9 Boys (99/00)	Jon Miller	Jessica Miller	Paula Crawford
U10 Boys (98/99)	Jon Miller	Pete Shearer	Deb Greiner
U9 Girls (99/00)	Frank Christy	David Lucci	Debbie Lucci
U10 Girls (98/99)	Bill Paholich	Gus Zuccaro	Marianne Biase

The Academy program’s focus is not on winning but on developing each player to his or her fullest potential, preparing the players for success in the future.
Academy teams are comprised of U9-U10 players.
The Academy program emphasizes technical and physical development while encouraging individual creativity and expression.
In addition to regular team practices, Stars United provides all players with year-round training opportunities and camps conducted by our Director of Coaching and staff of trainers.
Stars United Academy is designed to develop soccer players’ technical skills, with an age appropriate program.

The vision of this program is to not only prepare our young players how to play soccer technically, but do so in a safe and constructive environment. Stars United coaching philosophy has a strong emphasis on player development. Our experienced coaching staff is dedicated to ensuring that Stars players develop individual skills and understanding of the game, in an enjoyable format. And players are positively encouraged to participate in the game in a fair and competitive manner.

Stars United Academy teams are registered with US Club Soccer and participate in the PPA Juniors League.

NEWS & INFO

English FA Bans Competitive Matches For U8's
In an effort to improve skill level among English players, competitive matches for U8's have been banned in England. Sir Trevor Brookings, FA's Director of Football Development and former International player, cited the emphasis on league results for young players as the cause for England falling behind many other countries in developing top young talent.

Due to the urgent need to improve skills and technique among young English players, from next season competitive leagues in the under-eight age group will not be allowed.

The FA's Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, a former England international, said: "It's widely accepted that we need to improve the skills and technique of players in this country.

"At the moment we are not at the same level as other countries. In the youngest age groups, there's too much emphasis on winning leagues, often to satisfy parents and coaches. That's what we're looking to change. We need better, more skilful players coming through.

"Of course, we are not banning children from competing against each other in football. Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development. It is the league tables being stopped rather than matches."

English Football Association (FA) bans under-eights' football leagues to nurture beautiful game

Competitive football leagues for under-eights will be banned from next season under new rules from the Football Association, it was confirmed today.

The FA said the ban was brought in due to "the urgent need to improve skills and technique among young English players".

Officials said the pressure to win leagues was more often for the satisfaction of parents and coaches than the children.

Youngsters can still play matches, but results must be kept private and no league tables can be compiled, according to the new ruling, which will come into force in England in September.

Critics of the ban have said that it is essential children learn about winning, losing and striving for victory as part of their life skills.

The FA's director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, a former England international, said the move should not be interpreted as calling a halt to competitive children's football.

"It's widely accepted that we need to improve the skills and technique of players in this country. At the moment we are not at the same level as other countries," said Brooking.

"In the youngest age groups, there's too much emphasis on winning leagues, often to satisfy parents and coaches. That's what we're looking to change. We need better, more skilful players coming through.

"Of course, we are not banning children from competing against each other in football. Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development. It is the league tables being stopped rather than matches," he added.

The FA's director of communications, Adrian Bevington, told the BBC: "This follows consultation with over 20,000 people involved in grassroots football who identified that one of the big problems is producing league tables where kids of a very young age have been encouraged by coaches and parents to kick the ball long, lump it forward, to win a game and win a league.

"What we are doing is playing match by match, encouraging patience, skills and technique."

Earlier this year, junior showjumping events at Hickstead were axed because of "unpleasantness" by pushy parents of the young competitors.

Stars United Soccer Club ©2006