In addition to the U13 and U14 Development Academy teams, the MNUFC Academy is also home to a U12 Pre-Development Academy program for players born in 2006 and 2007. This is primarily a supplemental training program where younger players train with and against other players with similar ambitions, while still playing with their local club. The 32 players currently in the program come from 21 different youth soccer clubs in and around the Twin Cities, plus from as far away as Fargo.
“This Pre-DA program is important to the long-term success of our Academy. We need to help stimulate and influence the players within our local market during this stage of their life in order to accelerate their development. We know that young athletes within the ages of 9 through 12 are cognitively very receptive and are physically capable. During this period we want to further develop and establish the foundation of their technical skills,” said Academy Director Tim Carter. “This involvement is so important to achieve prior to the onset of puberty and the growth spurt that each player will eventually go through.”
For these players, it’s the very start of a professional developmental pathway that includes integration opportunities with the DA program — four of the current players have already trained with the U13 squad and two players are currently registered and playing fulltime with the U13 team in DA competition. Players trained once a week within the first phase and just completed the fall phase by joining the U13 and U14 DA teams on an away trip for two days of matches against other Development Academy clubs in St. Louis.
“The Pre-DA program has been a great opportunity for players in the 2006 age groups to be exposed to a more challenging environment. The games in St. Louis were a good benchmark of where our players are both technically and tactically,” said Andy Seidel, the MNUFC Academy Coach overseeing the Pre-DA program.
The program seeks to provide increased developmental opportunities for players who are hoping to eventually play in an MNUFC Development Academy team. Players born in 2006 who are interested in trying out for the Spring Phase should submit a Prospect Questionnaire to obtain further details about tryouts as player pools will be re-formed for the spring phase.
In addition, a U11 Pre-Development Academy program for players born in 2007 and 2008 will also be implemented this spring.
