Development Programs

Guildford Athletic Club's Development Programs are designed to cater for those players who want to take their soccer to a higher level. For our house league players, our programs provide an opportunity for players to improve their skills. For our select league players, the programs allow serious soccer players to be the best that they can be. Our club lead technical staff, participate in the organization and implementation of all club programs with support from our highly qualified staff coaches.

Simply click on the program of interest below for further information:

Club Supported Programs:

1. GAC Mini Kickers Academy (U6 - U8)      Back to Top

The Mini Kickers Academy is a free, club supported program offered to all of our U6 - U8 players and coaches. It operates to enhance our House League Program for these age groups. The Mini Kickers Academy is designed to help players and coaches in the initial stages of development.  For U6 - U7 coaches, particularly those with less experience, this program offers direction on what skills to teach young players and how to introduce them in a simple yet effective manner.  For the U8 coaches and players the program will introduce more advanced skills to players, and late in the program introduce the first elementary steps of team tactics. 

The Mini Kickers Academy is also the first step in creating a club wide curriculum so all of players are developing a similar skill-set as they move to other club programs.  The program runs on weekday nights and teams will participate in a session with a Staff Coach approximately every 4 weeks inside a predetermined gym.

2. House/Bronze Team Development Sessions (U9 - U18)      Back to Top

The GAC Team Development Sessions are a free, club supported program offered to all of our U9 - U18 house / bronze players and coaches and designed to give our teams an opportunity to work with GAC Staff Coaches.  Coaches are encouraged to communicate on areas of weakness so a session can be designed to best accommodate the development of the team.  For less experienced coaches, these sessions offer an opportunity to communicate directly with our club staff, ask questions and get ideas for further training throughout the season.
The foundation of this program will focus on developing the team coaches as well as players; therefore, the participation of the team coaches in all sessions is mandatory.

3. Silver/Gold Team Development Sessions (U11 - U18)      Back to Top

The GAC Team Development Sessions are a free, club supported program offered to all of our U11 - U18 silver/gold players and coaches and designed to give our teams an opportunity to work with GAC Staff Coaches.  Coaches are encouraged to communicate on areas of weakness so a session can be designed to best accommodate the development of the team.  For less experienced coaches, these sessions offer an opportunity to communicate directly with our club staff, ask questions and get ideas for further training throughout the season.
The foundation of this program will focus on developing the team coaches as well as players; therefore, the participation of the team coaches in all sessions is mandatory.

Enrolment Based Programs:

4. GAC Applewood Kia Mini Academy      Back to Top

This program is open to all U7 and U8 players who want to develop their skills further. Sessions will be held in a gym.

5. GAC Applewood Kia Goal Keeping Academy (U10-U13)      Back to Top

Guildford Athletic Club is pleased to have Devon Wharf coaching our Goal Keeping Academy for the 2011-2012 season. This academy offers goalkeepers of all levels the opportunity to further develop their goalkeeping skills under the guidance of qualified goalkeeping coaches. At the younger ages emphasis is placed on realized the importance of the position and developing confidence.
The training sessions are conducted in smaller groups and include player specific coaching and training for skills including catching, handling, footwork and the tactical side of goalkeeping. Staff coaches will provide individual goalkeeper assessment.

6. GAC Applewood Kia Future Stars Academy (U9 - U13)      Back to Top

The Future Stars Academy is open to all U9 to U13 players. This program is designed both, as an additional learning opportunity for our U9 - U13 players not selected to HPA or any player looking to improve their skills. This program is open to any players wanting to participate. Registrants will be placed / grouped with players of similar ability and potential. All participants will receive a GAC-Applewood Kia Academy Training top which they are required to wear to all training sessions.

Additional Guildford Athletic Club Programs:

7. One-on-One Team Training Sessions (U11 - U18)      Back to Top

One-on-One Team Training is available for those teams that want to work with a qualified staff coach to identify and improve areas of team play and individual techniques. Multiple sessions can be booked in order to assist the overall development and improvement of the team and its individual players.
The focus is on developing the team coaches as well as players; therefore, the participation of the team coaches in all sessions is mandatory.