Junior Academy FAQs
Program Description
What is the Junior Academy Program?
Real Colorado Junior Academy is a program for U9 and U10 players that encourages players to compete in a competitive environment. Players are selected and placed on teams by ability, performance and mentality. Junior Academy players get the benefit of paid professional Real Colorado coaches and a more competitive environment. To match your child’s age to our programs, please click here for our birthdate chart. If your child’s birth date falls under the U11 or older player category, you can find out more about Real’s competitive soccer program.
Registration
Can I join the Junior Academy during a season?
Yes, if a spot is open on a team. Typically Junior Academy rosters are set a few weeks prior to the first game. If you are new to the area and interested in trying out for Junior Academy outside of the tryout window please contact Markh@realcolorado.net for boys and SkyeD@realcolorado.net for girls.
How much does the Junior Academy cost?
*Registration fees are $725 per season, $1450 for the year, payments can be made in 3 installments each season for National and Olympico teams. Registration fees are $625 per season, $1250 for the year, payments can be made in 3 installments each season for Red, White, Gold, Silver, etc… teams.
This includes Real Colorado fees, Colorado Youth Soccer team/player registration, referee fees, regular field rental expenses and maintenance, and coach’s fees. The fees do not include indoor space rental, tournament fees, or expenses, camps, uniform or other team expenses. As mentioned above, many teams choose to continue their training and participate in tournaments and indoor leagues during the off season. These extra activities do incur additional costs and while not required as part of the program, are encouraged to foster individual and team development.
*These are subject to change and are only accurate for the current season – Fall 2018-Spring 2019
Do I need to register to tryout?
Yes, you must register online prior to the tryout session. Tryouts will be held in late May or early June and are for placement for the entire Fall and Spring season. Players hoping to join the Junior Academy between Fall and Spring should contact Markh@realcolorado.net for boys and SkyeD@realcolorado.net for girls.
Why are Junior Academy registration fees so much higher than recreational fees?
The Junior Academy is a stepping stone into our competitive program that begins at U11. Players in this program get a paid coach, train 3x per week, have paid officials and are directly overseen by the Real Colorado professional staff.
What is the Refund Policy?
Real Colorado does not offer refunds, credits or fee transfers for the Junior Academy program with the strict exception of the following situations: — If Real Colorado is unable to place your child on a team a full refund will be offered. — If you move out of Douglas County prior to the start of the season for which you have registered, a refund minus a $100.00 handling fee will be honored. — If before the 3rd scheduled season game your child is unable to finish the season due to a physician documented illness or injury, a refund minus a $100.00 handling fee will be honored. (Refund requests due to injury must be made within 2 weeks of injury or illness and must have a doctor’s note.) *While we will make an attempt, when possible, to place your child on another team to accommodate your schedule, refunds are not available due to scheduling conflicts. There will be no reimbursements of any kind on games cancelled due to weather, acts of God or forfeits of opposing teams. Late payments and payment plan fees are non-refundable.
Age Groups, Games & Practices
How many players per team?
Our ideal number is 12 to help facilitate playing time, but this number may vary team to team.
How many practices are there each week?
Three days of practice, 1 hour each session. Practice location and time is determined by the coach.
What is the season schedule?
There are two official seasons annually, the fall season from August to October, and the spring season from March to May. The commitment to the Junior Academy program is an annual commitment across both seasons. Additionally, many teams choose to continue their training and participate in tournaments and indoor leagues during the off season. These extra activities do incur additional costs and while not required as part of the program, are encouraged to foster individual and team development.
Can my player play other sports while committed to Real?
Yes, we encourage players to be well rounded. If you know that your child will have conflicts with other sports or family commitments, you should discuss that with the coaching staff PRIOR to team placement. When you accept a team placement, you are committing to all the player expectations for the team. Players are more likely to have a positive soccer experience if they are placed on the team that meets their soccer ability as well as personal goals.
What to expect on the field - players in the game, ball size.
Junior Academy games are played with 7 players per side. Teams will use a goalie and play with a size 4 ball.
Team Formation
Who will coach the Junior Academy teams?
Experienced, professional coaches will coach all of our Junior Academy teams.
How many Junior Academy teams are formed and what teams are there?
We will form as many teams as we have qualified coaches and dedicated players. The Junior Academy entry level team is Bronze, players can progress through Silver, Gold, White, Red, Olympic and National (our highest level) team.
How are players assigned to each team?
Placement on a Junior Academy team is based on each player’s individual abilities and performance. Players are place on a team at tryouts. Groups players by ability allows each player to grow and strengthen their love of the game.
What if my player wants only to play goalkeeper?
Goalkeepers participate in tryouts in a similar fashion to field players.
Can a player move up or down teams?
Yes, however movement is not frequent during the season, we have players that will move in between teams based on need and development. The majority of movements will be done at tryouts.
Equipment
What are the uniforms for Junior Academy?
Uniforms will be consistent with the normal recreational uniforms and can be purchased from our apparel partner, Soccer Stop. Numbers are not required for league play, but are required for most tournaments. Check out our uniforms page to learn more.
Contacts & More Information
Who can I contact for more information?
– U9 & U10 Jr. Academy Team and Player Registration – Beckie Blevans – BeckieB@RealColorado.net or 303-694-6882 x100 – U9 & U10 Jr. Academy Program Administration – Boys: Markh@realcolorado.net or 303-694-6882 x113 Girls: SkyeD@realcolorado.net or 303-694-6882 x119 – If you have a general question or are not sure who to direct your question to, please email RealCares@RealColorado.net anytime for assistance.
How can I get involved with my team at Real Colorado?
We’re excited to have you join the Real Colorado family. There are many opportunities to get involved with the club, from volunteering as a Team Manager, Team Treasurer to volunteering for events like Casino Real and organizing and supporting team fundraising activities. Please contact Beckie Blevans – BeckieB@RealColorado.net or 303-694-6882 x100 to learn more.
Where can I learn more about Real and its Recreational soccer programs?
Visit us at www.realcolorado.net, then hover over the Recreational Menu at the top to see more information on our recreational soccer programs. You can also find updates on upcoming camps under the camps menu. We encourage you to explore our site and if you have any questions, please contact one of our staff members.