U5-U8 JUNIOR ACADEMY

San Ramon FC understands happy kids are more receptive to learning so there is a large component of fun in everything we do!  The program’s primary objective is to help kids have fun while learning proper techniques, developing motor skills, boosting creativity, and building confidence on the ball. Junior Academy is offered in the fall, winter, and spring.

Program Highlights

• Designed and directed by the club's professional staff
• Proven age-appropriate curriculum
• Focus on long-term player development
• Psychomotor skill and coordination development
• Providing a FUN and challenging atmosphere for all children

Junior Academy training sessions last approximately 1 hour during the week and are held outdoors on grass fields or all-weather turf fields, depending on the season.  Junior Academy sessions will typically include games on the weekends. In some sessions (fall and maybe spring),  U7-U8 age groups may have an opportunity to add a second practice session, led by a volunteer coach, during the week.

Kids are asked to bring a ball, shin guards, water, soccer cleats, and wear athletic clothing (no jeans).

Birth Years:  2021-2018

Winter Season Dates: January 10th to February 28th  | A total of Six (6) Saturdays

Dates Off (no training or games): January 17th MLK Weekend; February 14th Presidents’ Day Weekend  

Field Location:  Rancho San Ramon Community Park (Turf Field)

Training Groups on Saturday: 2021-2020 Boys and Girls 8:30-9:30; 2019-2018 Boys and Girls 9:45-10:45. 

Winter Pricing: $150, includes shirt

Volunteer Deposit: None

Coaching: Led by Junior Academy Staff

Training and Game Format:  2021-2020s play 3 vs. 3 without a goalkeeper and 2019-2018s play 5 vs 5 with a goalkeeper. Both groups do technical and physical development for the first half of practice and then play/scrimmage for the second half.

Fall Registration: Opens April 1, 2025

Birth Years:  2021-2018

Fall Season:  August 12th to November 2nd

Field Location: Pine Valley Middle School 

Fall Training: Weekly training, boys (Tuesdays) and girls (Wednesdays) will train separately. U7-U8 teams have an option for a second training during the week. All training during the week is done by SRFC and Jr. Staff.

Fall Training Boys (Tuesdays):

U5-U6 boys (60 min) 4:10 pm - 5:10 pm

U7-U8 boys (75 min) 5:20 pm - 6:35 pm

Note: U7-U8 boys age group typically has a lot of teams; the first 18 teams formed will train Tuesday and the remaining teams may need to train Wednesdays from 5:20 pm to 6:35 pm.

Fall Training Girls (Wednesdays): 

U5-U6 girls (60 min) 4:10 pm - 5:10 pm

U7-U8 girls (75 min) 5:20 pm - 6:35 pm  

Fall Games: One game on Saturdays during the season

Fall Game Time Slots:  8:30am - 9:30am for all 2021 and 2019 age groups |  10am - 11am for all 2020 and 2018 age groups |  11:30am - 12:30pm (if needed)

Equipment Included With Registration: Soccer Ball

U5-U6 Fall Pricing (2021-2020): 

April 1 - April 15,  $375  |  April 16 - June 14, $400  | June 15 - June 30, $435

U5-U6 Volunteer Deposit:  None

U7-U8 Fall Pricing (2019-2018):  

April 1 - April 15,  $390  |  April 16 - June 14, $415  | June 15 - June 30, $450

U7-U8 Volunteer Deposit:  $150 per child (4 hours of volunteer time per deposit for reimbursement), maximum $300 deposit per family

Game Day Coaching:  Teams will be coached on Saturdays by parent volunteer coaches

Game Format:  2021-2020s play 3 vs. 3 without a goalkeeper and 2019-2018s play 5 vs 5 with a goalkeeper

Targeted Roster Sizes For Teams: For 2021-2020s, minimum 5 / maximum 8.  For 2019-2018s, minimum 7 maximum 11.

Team Formation: Team rosters are formed primarily by school and coach availability

Birth Years:  2020-2017

Spring Season Dates: March 2nd to May 22nd  

Cost:

U5-U6 (2020-2019):  $400  

U7-U8 (2018-2017):  $415

Training

Field Location:  Pine Valley Middle School 

Coaching: Coached by SRFC staff

 -- Boys on Tuesday --

U5-U6 boys (60 min) 4:10 pm to 5:10 pm

U7-U8 boys (75 min) 5:20 pm - 6:35 pm

-- Girls on Wednesday --

U5-U6 girls (60 min) 4:10 pm to 5:10 pm

U7-U8 girls (75 min) 5:20 pm - 6:35 pm  

*NOTE - Due to Daylight Savings Time changing on March 9th, training times and days for the first week of practice March 3-7 might be slightly different because of lack of day light.

Spring Games (8 to 10 games)

Spring Games: One game each Saturday during the season

Field Location: Pine Valley Middle School 

Game Day Coaching:  Teams will be coached on Saturdays by parent volunteer coaches

Game Times:  

8:30am - 9:30am for 2020 and 2018 boys and girls age groups 

10:00am - 11:00am for 2019 and 2017 boys and girls age groups.

Game Format:  

2020-2019 age groups play 3 vs. 3, no goalkeeper 

2018-2017 age groups play 5 vs 5 with a goalkeeper

Targeted Roster Sizes For Teams:  

2019-2020s, minimum 5 / maximum 8 players

2017-2018s, minimum 7 maximum 11 players

Team Formation: Team rosters are formed primarily by school and coach availability. No special requests are taken for team placement.

NEW This Spring - Jamborees

We recognize the importance of free play amongst the youngest members of our club and community, and we want to provide a platform for the players that are looking to play more. The Jamborees will be available to ALL U5 to U8 PLAYERS. 

Jamboree details will be shared before the season starts.

Financial aid is available for the U5-U8 Fall Junior Academy season only. Financial aid is intended to cover the cost of the registration, but does not include uniform costs. For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply, please visit the club's Financial Aid web page.

San Ramon FC sends emails regarding Junior Academy.  To stay connected and get the program info delivered to your inbox, please sign up for the club's email list.

The policies also include details about team formation specific to the Junior Academy program.