Academy Program Philosophy and How Players Progress through the Program:

One of the main objectives of the ACADEMY is to ensure ALL Players, Parents and Coaches are being educated in a FUN learning environment. The U8 Program is co-ed, and players are grouped based on grade in school and similar skill level. The Club believes this creates a healthy environment for KIDS, Coaches and Parents.

For Under 4/5 , sessions are held once per week for an hour. Players are grouped into sessions by age. This allows for age appropriate instruction and for sessions to be progressive so that players who attend sessions for multiple seasons have the opportunity to continue to learn new skills.

At the Under 6 level, players are grouped into teams for the Fall season. Toward the end of the Fall season, information is gathered from coaches regarding players skill level. This information is used to more equally distribute players throughout the teams in the Spring season so that teams are somewhat equal in terms of strength and ability. At this age, teams practice once per week for an hour and games are on Saturdays.

At the Under 7 level, players are divided into 2 groups based on skill level and teams are formed with equally skilled players. By grouping kids according to their skill level, less-skilled athletes have more opportunities to improve because they will have more playing time and attention from coaches. At the same time, players that have developed more skills will be challenged and coached at appropriate level of play.

Players in each group will train and play games with those in the same group which allows for a fun, educational and challenging program for players of all skill levels. Teams practice once per week for an hour and games are on Saturdays.

In the Under 8 age level program, players are grouped based on skill and teams are formed in a similar manner as Under 7. The program that will allow players to continue to learn more skills and will help facilitate an easier transition to our Rec and Travel Programs ifor their next level of play. Teams will play a 6v6 format consisting of 5 field players plus a Goalkeeper. In addition, the field size will be larger, bigger goals will be used, and a Penalty Box for Goalkeepers will be added. It should be noted, Penn Legacy is considering adding a second weekly practice night for this age group. Again, this will help transition players to the 3rd grade programs, where players train two times per week for an hour and a half.

Following Under 8 players have the opportunity to play at either a Recreational or Travel level and teams are no longer co-ed. For both the HSC U10 Rec Program and Penn Legacy U9 Travel Program, boys and girls teams train twice per week for an hour and a half and games are typically on the weekends. Teams may play either a 6v6 or 8v8 format depending on the league in which the team plays. More information about the U10 Rec program and U9 Travel Program can be found at www.HempfieldSoccerClub.org and www.PennLegacy.org

General Information for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Programs

Fall & Spring Academy Program - Under 4/5 Age Group

The Penn Legacy Academy Program provides kids, ages 3-5 the opportunity to have fun and learn soccer skills in a co-ed environment. Group training will teach the basics of soccer in a fun and encouraging setting. While there are no formal "teams", parents are encouraged to participate as "parent helpers." Players will be grouped into age/skill appropriate groups, so as to maximize their participation and enjoyment.

The program is held on Sunday afternoons at Amos Herr Park in Landisville. The program is open to all players without residency restrictions. For this age group, one weekly session will be held on Sunday afternoons.

Players will need a size 3 soccer ball, shinguards and water. A training t-shirt and soccer socks are provided.

Online registration typically begins in January for the Spring Program and in May for the Fall program. 
Specific details regarding program dates and times are provided on the registration page.

Fall & Spring Academy Program  - Under 6, Under 7 and Under 8 age groups

In the Fall and Spring Penn Legacy Academy provides kids in the above age groups the opportunity to develop their skills in a progressive program developed by our Academy Director, Gary Ross in accordance with USYSA guidelines. This program teaches the fundamentals and builds on them as players progress through the Academy age groups.

Players at each age group will be grouped into skill appropriate groups in order to maximize their participation and enjoyment. Kids will play small-sided games in a co-ed environment to demonstrate their newly-learned skills. At this age, the focus is on having fun and developing fundamental ball skills, not on the competitive aspects of the game.

Games are held on Saturday afternoons at Amos Herr Park in Landisville. A one-hour weeknight practice is held on the day selected by the volunteer parent coach (a great way to select your child’s practice night is to become a volunteer coach – training and materials are provided). The program is open to all players without residency restrictions.

Players will need a size 3 soccer ball, shinguards and water. A t-shirt and soccer socks are provided.

Online registration typically begins in January for the Spring Program and in May for the Fall program. 
Specific details regarding program dates and times are provided on the registration page.

Summer and Winter Program Opportunities - For U5, U6, U7 and U8 age groups

The Penn Legacy Academy Program offers summer camps and winter indoor programs each year. 

Online registration typically begins in March for the Summer Camps and in September for the Winter and Indoor programs. 

The Next Level and Futsal programs for Under 8 players only begins in January - online registration opens in November. Please watch the website and look for email announcements regarding Summer Camps, Futsal, The Next Level and Winter Indoor programs.