Investing in the future of our players, our families, and our club
AGE GROUPS
U8-U10 Players born in:
2018, 2017, and 2016
*2019 – case by case basis
PRACTICES
Twice per week
GAMES
League games played on Sundays
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The next evolution of our Player Development Program (PDP), the Futures Academy, embodies our commitment to investing in the future of our players, our families and our club. This initiative is designed with your young athlete’s growth and development in mind, introducing a U8-U10 Comprehensive Technical Framework that focuses on age/stage appropriate skill development executed using a proven methodology. Our promise is to provide the best possible soccer experience, combining expert coaching, improved communication, modern equipment, and a nurturing environment that fosters a lifelong passion for the game.
The Futures Academy is truly about more than just developing exceptional players, it’s about developing exceptional people that give back to their community as strong citizens and leaders. With increased opportunities for parent engagement, we’re excited to welcome you into a more active role in your child’s soccer journey. Together, we can create an environment that allows players to develop, excel, AND have fun! We truly believe this platform will provide our soccer families with the opportunity to grow a shared love for the game that will stay with your family for years to come.
Summer/Fall Season
U8-U10 FA Discovery Days
2018 – 2016 Birth Years
(*2019 – case by case basis)
FA Discovery Days mark the start of our Summer/Fall FA soccer season for returning FA players as well any new players looking to join our U8-U10 competitive soccer pathway!
At the end of the program our staff coaches will send a fall program recommendation to each player. Coaches will either recommend that a player participates in Fall Recreational Soccer or continue on with our Futures Academy for the Summer/Fall competitive season.
It is important to us at WUFC that all young players be given a chance to play in front of our trained staff coaches prior to deciding which fall program is best for their development. Think of the FA Discovery Days as our sorting hat for young players to figure out which fall program is best for their soccer development (Fall Recreational or Futures Academy).
The FA Discovery Days will be a blast for all of our young WUFC players! Sessions will focus on developing players while also evaluating their developmental stage and best fit for our fall programs. Our goal is to place players with like-ability and like-minded teammates in an environment that meets their needs as an individual and as a team.
U10 Early FA Discovery Days
2016 Birth Year Only
Players born in 2016 will have a special opportunity to be observed by coaches as part of an early Discovery Days process. Based on these observations, some players may be invited to officially join their age group prior to the June Discovery Days for the Summer/Fall season. This early observation and recommendation process is designed to help families plan ahead and allow players to start building chemistry with their team when training begins in June.
If your 2016 player is interested in being considered for early recommendation to the Futures Academy program, please be sure they are registered and attend the designated observation opportunities being hosted May 5th and 6th. Players who are not able to attend the early Discovery Days in May will be observed during the June training sessions for their program recommendation.
FA BOYS DISCOVERY DAYS
2016 Boys
May 5th, 6th
4:30pm – 6pm
Riverside High School
2018, 2017, 2016 Boys
June 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th
4:30pm – 5:45pm
Riverside High School
FA GIRLS DISCOVERY DAYS
2016 Girls
May 5th, 6th
4:30pm – 6pm
Riverside High School
2018, 2017, 2016 Girls
June 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th
4:30pm – 5:45pm
Riverside High School
Summer/Fall Season:
- Practices can be held in the West Linn / Wilsonville area. The main practice location used throughout the Summer/Fall Season is Riverside High School. Practices may also be held at Horizon Christian High School.
- Fall League games are played on Sundays at a field location to be determined.
Spring Season:
- Practices can be held in the West Linn / Wilsonville area. The main practice location used at the start of the Spring Season is Horizon Christian High School. Practices typically transition to Riverside High School after Daylight Savings starts.
- Spring League games are played on Sundays at a field location to be determined.
Summer/Fall Season:
- Season Length: June – Early November
- Practices: 2 practices per week
- Boys Train Mondays/Wednesdays
- Girls Train Tuesdays/Thursdays
- Summer Tournaments: U9-U10 teams may play in summer tournaments consisting of 3-5 games on Friday, Saturday, and/or on Sunday.
- League Play: Games are played on Sundays starting in September and typically ending the first weekend in November.
Spring Season:
- Season Length: January – Early May
- Practices: 2 practices per week
- Boys Train Mondays/Wednesdays
- Girls Train Tuesdays/Thursdays
- League Play: Games are played on Sundays starting in February and typically ends the first weekend in May.
We encourage multi-sport athletes; families should communicate with their Age Group Coordinator and Head Coach to develop a plan that allows multi-sport athletes to participate in both sports.
Summer/Fall Season:
- Futures Academy Discovery Days (June): $159
- Summer/Fall Futures Academy (July – early November): $695
- These fees include coaching and director fees, team equipment, field rentals, league fees.
- Uniforms and any potential summer tournament entry fees are not included in the program fees.
Spring Season:
- Futures Academy Discovery Days: Free
- Spring Futures Academy (January – early May): $595
- These fees include coaching and director fees, team equipment, field rentals, league fees.
- Uniforms costs are not included in the program fees.
Full Year:
- Futures Academy Discovery Days (June): $159
- Full Year: $1,145
- If a player decides to commit to the entire FA Seasonal Year (Summer/Fall and Spring) once they receive an official invite, they can register for this option in PlayMetrics which will include a discount for committing to the the full seasonal year.
- Have Fun
- Learn The Game of Soccer and Develop Their Soccer Skills
- To Build Positive Relationships with Teammates and Coaches.
FA Seasonal Calendar
(Swipe left or right on the table below to view more information)
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
|---|---|---|---|
| U10 Early FA Discovery Days |
U8-U10 FA Discovery Days |
U8-U10 FA Summer Practice Begins |
U8-U10 Practice Continues Mt Hood Challenge Tournament |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
U8-U10 Practice Continues U8-U10 Fall Development League Begins |
U8-U10 Practice Continues
U8-U10 Fall Development League Continues |
U8-U10 Fall Development League Ends U8-U10 Indoor Soccer Begins |
U8-U10 Indoor Soccer Continues |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
|
U8-U10 Indoor Soccer Continues U8-U10 FA Discovery Days |
U8-U10 Indoor Soccer Ends U8-U10 FA Spring Practice Begins U8-U10 Spring Development League Begins |
U8-U10 Practice Continues
U8-U10 Spring Development League Continues |
U8-U10 Practice Continues
U8-U10 Spring Development League Ends |
Coaching Staff
Boys FA Coaches
| AGE GROUP | HEAD COACH |
|---|---|
| 2016 (U10) | Jonny Bunn |
| 2017 (U9) | Jackson Kincaid-Osborn |
| 2018/2019 (U8) | Nate Jackson |
Girls FA Coaches
| AGE GROUP | HEAD COACH |
|---|---|
| 2016 (U10) | Ellie Schmid |
| 2017 (U9) | Nicole Strong |
| 2018/2019 (U8) | Owen Peterson |
Player Pathway
Parent Testimonials
Willamette’s Futures Academy program has been a perfect match for Layla, our eight year old daughter. She has enjoyed exceptional coaching in a fun and positive environment. Layla’s development on the field and newfound enthusiasm for the game are only exceeded by the friendships she’s created while at WUFC.
Having had our son come up through the soccer ranks at WUFC, from Rec to PDP to Classic and beyond.. The amount of development that occurs in just those short PDP years is incredible. Much of this is due to the focus of the WUFC PDP coaching staff on developing the person as well as the soccer player. I would recommend WUFC PDP to anyone, proof being that our daughter is now benefiting from their program. She is improving day by day, is part of a great team, oh and did I mention they treat you like family? Go Willamette!
The PDP program offered by WUFC is just an amazing experience for young soccer players. I have had three kids that have participated in the program and all of them loved the extra attention. They were able to spend more time on the pitch and improve their soccer skill. I truly believe this program helped them to become better players. The coaches are fantastic and spend so much time with each and every player! We are so blessed that our club offers such a valuable program.
We’ve had two boys graduate from the PDP program, and we feel like they both were well prepared for the next stage of their soccer careers. Willamette PDP is a great bridge between the recreational experience and the higher expectations of classic soccer. We saw dramatic technical improvement in both of our sons throughout PDP, without sacrificing their love of the game. From the coaching staff to the parents, the focus is 100% on development as opposed to winning and losing games, which has clearly benefited the kids as they’ve moved through the system.
The Willamette United Football Club Player Development Program was such a positive experience for our seven-year-old son this past season. The coaches delivered developmental skills training with a passion for the game and sportsmanship while keeping each individual player engaged, included and entertained. Our son had a boost in confidence, gained a better understanding of team-play, worked hard to develop his footwork and skills and found new friends along the way. We have nothing but good things to say about this outstanding developmental program and coaching staff!