WSA YOUTH ACADEMY LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVES

The West Side Alliance S.C. Youth Academy program will receive a major overhaul in 2018-19 and the club leaders are excited.  "The new leadership, initiatives, programming, and especially the new coaching staff and people resources added are amazing, and we believe the impact will be widespread inside the Tulsa community," reports WSA Executive Director, Roger Bush.  

All WSA Youth Academy members will have the opportunity to participate in additional technical, coordination, speed and agility training activities as part of their membership privileges.  These sessions will be offered in "Phases" with Phase I & Phase II during the offseason months of June and July, and Phase III and IV taking place in-season during September and October.  The club's programming will also include opportunities for WSA Youth Academy players to participate in a wholistic Futsal program.  WSA will soon announce the hiring a Futsal staff who will oversee the Futsal training program.  

NEW OPTIONAL TECHNICAL SKILLS SESSIONS OFFERED AS PART OF WSA YOUTH ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP
Individual technique and coordination are best learned and taught at the youngest ages.  This teaching platform will provide WSA's youth players the best opportunities for growth in the game.  The common theme of the program will be JOY.  The program will include the following training ZONES:

•     Pre-Academy 4-6 year olds (5U, 6U)
•     Junior Academy 6-7 year olds (7U)
•     Youth Academy 7-10 year olds (8U-10U)

The club's Senior Academy program begins at the 11U division.  The club's WSA Way curriculum which is founded in club culture, and purposed to produce the WSA Style of Play, will drive the teaching objectives and easily integrate the Youth Academy's JOY theme. 

PROGRAMMING 
Technical Sessions - Phase I, II, III, IV, V all additional training sessions, offered outside of regular team training sessions, led by WSA lead trainers and directors (schedule posted for June 2018 thru October 2018, new schedule for Feb 2019 thru May 2019 posted in December). 
Futsal Sessions - Wholistic & Year Round Program led by WSA Futsal Staff (TBA).  Schedule & registration TBA.
League Platform - Academy Club Series (same league platform WSA has led in the Tulsa area, along with other local clubs, since 2012.  
Skills Clinic - 3 day clinic focused on skill development.  July 31 - Aug 2  Exclusive WSA Youth Academy Membership Pricing of $35 (non members $70). 
Player Placement - Two different weeks.  Phase I: "Early Placement" will be held June 6 & June 8 during the traditional Competitive Soccer team formation and player placement week. RSVP now.   Phase II: "Player Placement" will be held the week of August 6-10.   
- RSVP HERE FOR PLAYER PLACEMENT WEEK
Games - Additional games will be provided by the following in-house opportunities: Clash of Giants 3v3 Tournament, Friday Night Open Play, Dutch 4v4 Tournament, and new 2018 Summer - "Open Play Friendlies" with "Parent & Coach Silence" imposed (more info coming shortly). 

YOUTH ACADEMY LEADERSHIP STAFF - OLD FACES, NEW POSITIONS

The WSA Youth Academy leadership staff is excited to announce Catherine Grona as the Academy Administrative Director. Grona's success in the Youth Development Program over the past few years provides a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as a natural liaison between the club's YPD and Youth Academy Programs.   WSA is also excited to announce Jimmy Gibbs and Kaspars Kokis will be assigned to specialize as Junior Technical Directors, in the "pre-academy" division of the club.  Other club directors, Alex McLaurin (Technical Director), Ryan Bush (Business Development Director), Mike Schwarz (Director of Goalkeeping), and Roger Bush (Coaching Director), will each take up applicable roles inside the Youth Academy program as they've assumed in the competitive division of the club.  Barry Roberts, long time Youth Academy leader will continue in his role as league operator.  

Youth Academy Administrator: Catherine Grona 
Youth Academy Technical Director: Alex McLaurin 
Youth Academy Director of Business Development: Ryan Bush
Youth Academy Coaching Director Central: Roger Bush
Youth Academy Junior Technical Advisors: Jimmy Gibbs (boys), Kaspars Kokis (girls) 

TEAM STAFFING - MORE STAFF TO BE NAMED SHORTLY
17 NEW COACHES ADDED TO YOUTH ACADEMY! 

The Youth Academy coaching staff is highlighted by additions of several senior coaches, including long time decorated coach Dave Leung (2010 boys) as well as a National Youth License holder, Kyle Roberts (2011 girls). Leung has been regarded as one of Tulsa area's top footballers for over a decade, and over the past several years as one of the area's top coaching talents.  Barry Roberts, former Youth Academy Director, rejoins the Youth Academy staff taking the reigns of the 09 boys program. In total 17 new coaching staff members have taken up spots inside the Youth Academy division!  See list of assigned staff members below, with more to come.

Ivan Mirkovic and Mansour Ebrahimzadeh will join the Youth Academy as staff coaches, leading technical and skills sessions for added opportunity and benefit to WSA Youth Academy members.  Coach Ivan and Coach Mansour both bring professional footballing experience.  Coach Mansour, in fact, was working with WSA Futsal program before being hired by professional club Sepahan of League Persian where he was brought in to save the team from relegation.  "Coach M's" return to The Side is welcome news by players and parents!

A wealth of great soccer people resources, including former professional and collegiate standouts, as well as coaches with a wealth of soccer coaching experience and background at international and professional levels will be leading the charge for the WSA Youth Academy program into the future.  Most importantly, in keeping with the WSA Mission, the coaching staff is highlighted by character, integrity, and a heart for kids.  

PRE-ACADEMY (2013's): Jimmy Gibbs, Kaspars Kokis, Perry Brooks

2012 BOYS JUNIOR ACADEMY: Jimmy Gibbs, Richard Shaughnessy, Tom Apitz, Perry Brooks, Josh Suarez 

2012 GIRLS JUNIOR ACADEMY: Kaspars Kokis, Jason Foster 

2011 BOYS: Valin Brodie, Colton Haskins, Jimmy Gibbs

2011 GIRLS: Kyle Roberts, Catherine Grona, Kevin King, Griffith Poindexter 

2010 BOYS: Santi Riveros, Dave Leung, TBA 

2010 GIRLS: Nader Shaker, Kevin King, Catherine Grona, TBA

2009 BOYS: Barry Roberts, Emerson Griffith, Chano Trevino

2009 GIRLS: Kaspars Kokis, Jordan Schmoker, TBA 

** More information, including coach profiles will be shared with WSA Youth Academy membership.