The Academy of Soccer Excellence was established by former USA National Team player
and unanimous 1st Team All America selection
Parker Cowand to fill a void that the current status quo system of soccer
in the U.S. has created. The academy is designed as an adjunct to training
currently available through home associations, schools, camps, and club teams.
The purpose is to provide high level education through classroom instruction combined
with intense, professional field sessions that focuses on specific aspects of the
game. The academy concept is a new approach to most Americans but it is a
system enhancement created from the traditionally rich soccer cultures across the
globe.
The Academy of Soccer Excellence is a year ‘round training school that utilizes
weekly training sessions to enhance existing skill sets and provide continuing education
to players, spectators, referees, and coaches. Professional assessments consist
of baseline combine style parameters that set a benchmark and are measured annually
versus year end assessments. Technical and tactical assessments are captured
and combined with self assessments as well as fitness and psychological measures.
Coach Cowand uses tools he learned in M.B.A. programs to teach and assess internal
strengths and weaknesses, goal setting, leadership, external opportunities and threats,
and comparable advantage recognition and capitalization. High level, professional
trainers challenge the students both physically and mentally through technical,
functional, physical, and tactical sessions. As an example, the academy offers
the services of former world class sprinter turned speed coach, Donovan Powell,
who competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Powell taught
his younger brother Asafa techniques for activating the fast twitch muscle tissues.
These techniques allowed Asafa to maximize his potential and set the World Record
(9.74) in the 100-meters in 2007; no other coach in the history of the world can
claim that accolade. He will bring this knowledge and these techniques to
the students enrolled in this academy.
The academy differs from other clinics in its curriculum and system. The Academy
of Soccer Excellence believes that the sport is a “learning lab for life” and its
purpose is to build not only superior soccer players but also future leaders.
The Academy focuses on knowledge as the foundation by which all other skill sets
are built upon. Educational classes teach players how to play and give them
the understanding of “why” a subject is important by drilling down into the conceptual
aspects of the components of play. Expectations and terminology will be given
through classroom sessions before the players hit the field and turn these concepts
into actions. The academy will also focus on aspects of nutrition, mental
visualization, health care, strategies, cultures, history, systems of play, personal
training, laws and rules, game preparation, pre- and post-season workouts, recovery,
etc.
Parents are welcome to attend any and all sessions as this helps to improve the
overall educational process. There will be periodic spectator, referee, and
coaching sessions offered by the academy to those interested in the acquisition
of a higher level of soccer knowledge.
The Academy of Soccer excellence begins in April, 2008. The Academy will place
only 24 players per age group (gender specific) on a first come, first served basis.
There will be an opportunity for alternates to participate as well. There
will be 52 sessions each year at a cost of only $10 per weekly session. Field
training sessions will last 1-hour and classroom sessions will last between 1-2
hours depending upon the topic. Special events like the speed clinic with
Donovan Powell, guest speakers, and the combine may require additional time to complete.
Fees must be paid quarterly ($130) but can also be paid semi-annually and annually.
There will be discounts offered to siblings at a rate of only $5 per sibling.
Starting in 2009, the academy will offer soccer tours to culturally rich areas of
the world both internationally and domestically. The purpose of these tours
is to gain experiences through the vehicle of soccer. These tours will be
at an additional expense and full-time academy members will have the first rights
of refusal before positions are filled through open tryouts. The goal is to
travel to one soccer tournament each year, alternating between a domestic tournament
and an international event for ages U-12 through U-19.
Academy teams with open positions:
Under 8 – Under 9 boys/girls
Under 10 boys
Under 10 girls
Under 11 boys
Under 11 girls
Under 12 boys
Under 12 girls
Under 13 boys
Under 13 girls
Under 14 boys
Under 14 girls
To secure a position please send a check for a minimum payment of $130 (made
payable to The Academy of Soccer Excellence) and mail to P.O. Box 518, Gorham, ME
04038. The deadline for the April – June session is March 1, 2008.
For additional information, contact Coach Cowand at socceracademy@verizon.net
There is a small group of soccer players, who have expressed an interest in
some skill training starting in January, 2008. If you are interested, then
please send Coach Cowand an e-mail ASAP.
