2009-2010 AZSC Thunder Competitive Academy Overview

Thunder Academy Description Thunder Competitive Academy is an elite invitational program and requires a greater level of time and dedication to participate. In addition, we believe membership is a privilege and by becoming part of the Thunder Competitive Academy, families will be obligated to contribute to its success by serving a minimum of 8 hours of volunteer service.

Commitment, skill, competitive mind-set and improvement serve as measures for invitation to the Thunder Competitive Academy. Thunder teams participate in three training sessions per week during the season (August to March), along with regular season games and various tournaments. During the off-season (April to July), Thunder players may attend the Lightning Training Academy where training takes place two times a week with occasional pickup games.

Through a well organized, age appropriate training approach, matched with quality professional coaching staff, players are equipped with the tools, resources, and confidence needed to continually develop from an individual and team perspective and positioned to pursue soccer opportunities in high school, college, and at a professional level.

Thunder Competitive Academy Goals 1. Excel technical proficiency, creativity, and decision making of each player.
2. Provide consistent club communication between coaches, players and parents to work collectively to further player and team development.
3. Strive to provide excellent customer service and timely problem resolution to promote a positive and healthy soccer community.
4. Partner with the Thunder families in a unified effort to implement the vision, mission and goals of AZSC so all may contribute to its success.
Thunder Competitive Academy Coaching Philosophy Exceptional instruction, consistent communication, accountability and continuing education are the pillars of our Thunder coaches philosophy. The Thunder Competitive Academy advantage is the number of skilled and experienced licensed coaches and professional trainers on staff. Our coaches credentials and experience range from USSF B, C, D and E licenses; NSCAA Premier Diploma; USSF National Youth License; physical fitness specialists; college coaches; high school coaches; a former USSF National player; and many former international and major league professional players.
Meet the Coaching Staff
Player Development Philosophy Our Thunder curriculum is a consistent, customized, age appropriate, Thunder training model that provides a framework of technical, tactical, physical and psychological development for all Thunder players. Through our model, players develop skills, learn tactics and become familiar with methodology and terminology that is consistent throughout the club. This enables players and families to more easily assist other Thunder teams, as well as better equip players to advance and compete better from season to season. In addition, coaches are better able to fill in for other coaches making training sessions and games seamless for the players.
Thunder Competitive Academy Placement Commitment, skill, competitive mind-set, and improvement serve as measures for an invitation to the 2009-2010 season for returning players, provided all 2008-2009 Thunder dues are paid in full by March 30, 2009. New/prospective players are invited to compete for any open roster spots on teams. ALL PLAYERS, new and returning must attend Thunder assessments to secure their spots on a specific roster. In cases where teams may be short rostered, players may be placed on a waiting list to form a new team, should enough qualified players join to form a full team.

Roster Formations Initial evaluations are done during April assessments where each age group is evaluated by several of the Thunder Competitive Academy staff who determines the placement of players on specific teams. Players may be placed in three ways:

o Thunder Competitive Academy (Gold Team) Players who are identified to perform and continue developing in the most competitive environment o Thunder Competitive Academy (Blue Team) Players who are identified to perform and continue developing in a slightly lesser competitive and less stressful environment o Lightning Academy Players who are identified to advance their competitive level for future Thunder Competitive Academy competition

Thunder players are evaluated multiple times throughout the season and player movement may be utilized during the course of the season, in order to place players on a more appropriate developmental path and competitive environment. Regardless of placement, all players will receive the same quality of training from our Thunder Competitive Academy staff. We believe playing for Thunder is a privilege, therefore playtimes and starting position are not guaranteed and are based on merit, commitment, work ethic, attitude and age appropriate maturity.

Depending on the number of players who will be assessed, selected, and secured - one or two teams (Gold only or Gold and Blue) will be formed for each age group, providing there are enough players at each age group to form viable teams. Team assignments are based on the best environments for individual development. Our Thunder Competitive Academy coaching staff will select the teams for the 2009-2010 Thunder soccer season.

Thunder Competitive Academy Training in Season:
Thunder Club Training (August thru March)

• Training Sessions (3) times per week (T, W & Th) Physical and Technical/Tactical sessions
• Fitness Assessments (2) annual assessments by Sports Performance Republic
• Player Evaluations Ongoing online evaluations by professional Thunder coaches for parental review
• Goalkeeper Training Available two times per week
• Advisory Nutritional Program
• Sports Psychology Advisory Program
• High School & College Advisory Program (U14 and older)
• Soccer Locker Ð Offsite locker room type instruction/bonding sessions

Partnership with Sport Performance Republic
(Elite Athletes Performance Program): AZSC has partnered with Sports Performance Republic to administer physical and clinical aspects of the Thunder soccer program with the purpose of preventing injuries and improving the athleticism of our Thunder players. Thunder players will be lead through a specialized, professional program tailored to meet our players performance needs to gain that split-second edge over the competition through scientifically designed programs that improve speed, power and agility. SPR will run one hour sessions every other week for all Thunder teams, along with an additional one hour session with a Thunder Technical Trainer.

Off-Season (Optional): Lightning & Monsoon Training Academies
(Seasons 1 & 2 only: 5/5/09 to 6/11/09 & 6/16/09 to 7/23/09)

Lightning Training Academy
(Mini-Thunder Competitive Academy Training with variety): Training takes place two times per week with small-sided games. Futsal, Sand Soccer, Foot Volleyball, and Tennis Soccer, along with the regular game of soccer make up the fun and educational training program. Futsal pick-up games (every other Saturday), fitness training and possible tournaments are also part of the Lightning program.

The Monsoon Training Academy
(Goalkeeper training): Takes place on the same days as the Lightning Training, so players will have the opportunity to shift between Academies to further their training. Specialized goalkeeper training allows players to build confidence, respond quickly, fall properly to minimize injuries, and learn various tactical techniques to experience success in game situations.

2009-2010 Thunder Competitive Academy Schedule April 13 to 23: Mandatory Thunder Competitive Academy Assessments (Mon, Wed & Thu) 23: Initial Rosters Posted (Thu) and registration packets made available 27, 29 & 30: Mandatory Mini-Camp/Registration (Mon, Wed & Thu) 30: Initial payment due for accepting players May 1 to 31: Off-Season Lightning Training Academy (Tue & Thu) 4: Second Roster Posted (following actual player acceptance) 25: Final Rosters will be released 30: 2nd Payment due June 1 to 30: Off-Season Lightning Training Academy (Tue & Thu) 30: 3rd Payment due July 1 to 23: Off-Season Lightning Training Academy (Tue & Thu) 1 to 31: Thunder Players must order their uniform kit through Soccer World (S Arizona Ave and E Ocotillo Rd) 28, 29 & 30: Thunder Competitive Academy Ð Pre-Season Training Camp! 30: 4th Payment due August 1 to 31: Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 30: 5th Payment due September 1 to 30: Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 19: Open League Begins (Tentative date) 30: 6th Payment due October 1 to 31: Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 2 to 4: Thunder Cup Tournament 30: 7th Payment due November 1 to 30: Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 30: 8th Payment due December 1 to 31: Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 30: 9th Payment due January 1 to 31 Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 30: 10th Payment due February 1 to 28: Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 28: Open League Ends (Tentative Date) 30: 11th Payment due March 1 to 25 Thunder Competitive Academy Training (Tue, Wed & Thu) 30: Final Payment due

See the Thunder Calendar for more dates and times:
Online Thunder Calendar
We are excited to join you, our Thunder families on the fields, enjoy the great game of soccer and watch the evolution of our players development season after season! Thank you for your interest in the 2009-2010 Thunder Program and we look forward to a better than ever season!

Additional Information:
Director of Coaching - Alex Fonseca
Thunder Administator- TBD