ELITE JUNIORS ACADEMY
What is the Elite Juniors Academy
The GESC Elite Juniors Academy serves as a developmental bridge between the Elite Recreational Program and the Elite Competitive Program and it is for those born between 2013 and 2016.
The Elite Juniors Academy program is designed to set kids up for the highest potential for long-term success in soccer through some of the highest quality coaching and training in the nation, including some of the most progressive and modern methodology around.
Effort is made to minimize cost and travel and maximize player development with a balance between development and competition. This is the final developmental phase for kids that want to play competitively before the Elite Competitive program.
Elite Juniors Academy players must demonstrate a growth mentality and a somewhat higher level of commitment to training than in the Elite Recreational program in order to ensure proper development through consistent touches on the soccer ball and regular instruction from our professional coaches. The number of players in each group is limited so that all players on Elite Jrs. teams will get quality playing time in each game.
How Do I join an Elite Juniors Academy Group?
All interested players must register (at the link on this page) and thereafter attend a few sessions before being placed with an Elite Juniors Academy Group. Coaches will communicate with players that are being evaluated and their parents on team placement if there are concerns.
GESC limits how many teams we have and how many players we take in each age group to ensure consistent and high-quality teams and coaching. As long as the group is not full, however, players can join at any time during the year as there will be training sessions going on during most times of the year. If we cannot place your player on a team for any reason, your money will be refunded to you.
If interested in joining and want to know more, email info@gallatinelite.com with any inquiries.
When is the Elite Juniors Academy Season?
The main seasons for games are in the fall and spring, between mid-August to mid-October, and mid-March to June. Players are encouraged to play other sports during the summer and winter months as it is looked at as beneficial for their physical, mental, and personal development. However, the Elite Juniors Academy will still run sessions during these times because we feel it is important to keep touches up all year long in order to keep kids sharp and group dynamics strong. For info on this, please see our Fall and Winter Indoor Soccer and Futsal Program.
Please see to the right for more details or below for pricing information.
What does the Elite Juniors Academy program cost?
Prices may vary depending on when your player joins and what age group they are in. We work very hard to minimize costs and keep soccer affordable and believe that everyone that wants to play should be able to play regardless of their financial situation. We have annual options available (including fall, winter, and spring programs), as well as a la carte options for each season. Payment plans throughout the year are available as are Scholarships and Financial Aid. See here for more information on Financial Aid and scholarships.
What does it include?
Program fees vary and if signing up for the payment plan option, will be collected three times per year - once in the fall, once during the winter, and once during pre spring and fees include league entry and game fees, friendly and intrasquad game costs, 2 tournaments in the fall, one tournament in the spring, the State Tournament in June (including ref fees and travel costs for coaches at these events), and all training session costs, coaching costs, etc. Spring fees include a $100 half-day access to the Gallatin Elite Summer Camp - a $275 value - staffed with top professional players and coaches from around the country. Please be sure to still sign your player up for the camp (a coupon code will be provided as the camp gets closer upon request) so that your player will get their camp shirt, info, and gear. Details on the camp provided on the Gallatin Elite Summer Camp page. You can also upgrade to a full day camp for an extra $25 ($125 total for a $325 value).
Other expected costs?
Other costs to be expected during the course of the year are any agreed upon optional outside tournaments (cost depends on the event) and uniforms.
Keep in mind that as the kids get older it becomes more expensive as the number of competitive games and league games increases, as does the required number of players, coaches and time spent from coaches, and refs (for Fall 2024 the 2015s/2016s play 7v7, and the 2013s and 2014s play 9v9).
For any questions and for more info, please email info@gallatinelite.com.
2015-2016 Elite Juniors Academy Groups:
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Should understand that there is a developmental benefit to playing games against outside competition so while we do play local intrasquad games and do other things in an effort to minimize required travel, we also participate in leagues and/or play friendlies against other area teams during the fall (Aug-Oct) and spring (March-June). For an idea on the travel required, if the spring season is 10-weeks long, for example, groups should expect to travel nearby (within a couple hours) about 5 of those 10 weekends and should expect to play at home the other 5 weekends.
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Can expect to attend at least 3 outside tournaments during the course of the year and the State Showcase tournament in June every year. This is likely to include 2 tournaments during Fall, 1-2 in Spring, and possibly 1 indoor "futsal" tournament in the Winter depending on interest. All tournaments will be reasonably close by and agreed upon by the parents and coaching staff.
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Are formed according to player skill levels with player development as the priority and are made up of players who wish to play and train with other players that are of a similar ability and mindset.
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Train two times per week with an optional third day during the spring and fall seasons following an age-appropriate, developmentally sound curriculum aimed at laying a sound technical foundation and an understanding of the GESC Universal Concepts and Principles of Play, fostering individual growth and furthering the player’s love for the game.
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Are coached by members of the GESC technical staff, licensed by the US Soccer Federation and fully immersed in the GESC curriculum and style of play.
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Have a low player-to-coach ratio.
2013-2014 Elite Juniors Academy Groups:
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Should also understand that there is a developmental benefit to playing games against outside competition so while we do play local intrasquad games and do other things in an effort to minimize required travel, we also participate in leagues and/or play friendlies against other area teams during the fall (Aug-Oct) and spring (March-June). 2012s may be expected to travel a bit more, especially during the spring.
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Can expect to attend 3 outside tournaments during the course of the year and the State Showcase tournament in June every year. This is likely to include 2 tournaments during Fall, 1-2 in Spring, and possibly 1 indoor "futsal" tournament in the Winter depending on interest. All tournaments will be reasonably close by and agreed upon by the parents and coaching staff.
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Are often and when appropriate formed according to player skill levels with player development as the priority with players who wish to play and train with other players that are of a similar ability and mindset.
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Train three times per week during the spring and fall seasons following an age-appropriate, developmentally sound curriculum aimed at laying a sound technical foundation and an understanding of the GESC Universal Concepts and Principles of Play, fostering individual growth and furthering the player’s love for the game.
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Are coached by members of the GESC technical staff, licensed by the US Soccer Federation and fully immersed in the GESC curriculum and style of play.
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Have a low player-to-coach ratio.