JFC RecREATIONAL ProgramS
Since 1977, our club has provided opportunities, experiences, and programs for youth soccer players of all ages and skill levels. Our Recreational Program is dedicated to the enjoyment, development and growth of soccer players without the emphasis on the pressure to win. Our Recreational Program provides an opportunity for players to have fun, play with a sense of team and community, learn about soccer, and benefit from life lessons and skills that they will acquire to help them in their everyday lives. Kids and parents are guaranteed to meet and make new friends, establish great relationships with other like-minded families and to feel a sense of belonging to a great community. It genuinely becomes your club over time and watching local kids grow, develop, and mature alongside each other, not just as soccer players, but into young adults while playing the beautiful game is why our club exists.
Our Recreational Program provides 3 offerings to accommodate players from U5 to U19. Read the descriptions below to determine which program best fits your child’s level of interest and level of play.
We offer two seasons per year:
FALL - Practices start at the beginning of September and the season ends before Thanksgiving. The registration window is May - July 31st.
SPRING - Practices start at the beginning of March and the season ends before Memorial Day. The registration window is November - Jan 31st
1
RECREATIONAL First Touch Academy / U5 & U6 / Boys & Girls
Our Recreational First Touch Academy is great for U5 and U6 boys and girls (see age chart below) who are just starting out looking to have fun while learning the game of soccer. No previous soccer experience is necessary. With a convenient practice schedule and multiple field options, it’s a great introductory program that can fit around any busy family schedule. And there is nothing better than watching a group of 4 and 5 year olds with big smiles on their face laughing and running around a soccer field on a Saturday morning to start your weekend. We promise, the look they give you when they score a goal will be priceless. The First Touch Academy is led by Mike Levine, Dawn McGee, paid club trainers and parent volunteer coaches. As a club, we ensure that our youngest group of kids in our club will have lots of fun while learning the fundamentals of the game.
2
RECREATIONAL Junior Academy / U7 & U8 / Boys & Girls
The Recreational Junior Academy is a great fit for U7 and U8 boys and girls (see age chart below) who are showing a greater interest in a structured training atmosphere. Most of our Junior Academy players have played some level of soccer for 1 or 2 years but it is not required. Players train twice a week with paid club trainers covering age-appropriate technical and tactical aspects of soccer in a positive learning environment. The kids get to work with multiple trainers in different stations during the 2 practices each week. Our Junior Academy Director, Vanja Trivuncic, provides an organized curriculum for the trainers to execute while overseeing the entire program throughout the season. Coach Vanja’s goal each season is to create a safe, fun, and educational environment for all. The week is capped off by a fun game on Saturday at Patton Park against other Junior Academy players/teams where the skills learned during the week are applied and encouraged by the trainers and volunteer parents. The Junior Academy is a great stepping stone for players looking to play on competitive travel teams at the U9 age group and beyond.
3
Recreational / U7 - U19 / Boys & Girls
The 3rd offering for boys and girls, ages U7 to U19 (see age chart below), is our Recreational Program, it is designed to create an environment that provides foundations and fundamentals to all players looking to enjoy the beautiful game. This program creates an environment where every player enjoys a rewarding soccer experience and enjoys time on the field with their friends and teammates. Coaches are volunteers and practice once a week with one game on the weekend during the season. The Recreational Director of Coaching, Andy Fertick, provides sample practice plans and assistance to all Recreational coaches throughout the season.
The U7 to U12 age groups will play an in-house schedule competing against other JFC Rec Program teams. U7 and U8 play 4v4 with no goalkeepers, U9 & U10 play 7v7 with goalkeepers and U11 & U12 play 9v9 with goalkeepers. Our U13 to U19 General Rec Program teams will compete in the North Florida Youth Soccer League against other local clubs in the area. Home games are played at Patton Park and Ed Austin Park and away games are played at the home site of other clubs in the area. (45-60 mins travel time).
Our Rec Program is for the players who want to enjoy playing soccer without the extensive time and travel commitments of the competitive program. The emphasis is on fun and there is less stress on players and families. Players who excel in this program can easily transition to the competitive program to test their skills even further.