Oconee Futbol Club and Parks and Recreation Team Up to Form Soccer Alliance

A new program designed to enhance soccer coach training and individual player development by offering coach training clinics, player camps and individual clinics for recreation and Select level players and teams has been formed in Oconee County.

The Oconee Soccer Alliance is a partnership between the Parks and Recreation Department and the Oconee Futbol Club, according to a news release from John Gentry, OCPRD director. The idea behind the OSA is to provide young players advanced coaching and a higher level of competition to those ready for elevated training and commitment in a fun soccer environment. It runs on the philosophy "playing to learn while minimizing the pressure of playing to win."

Here's the breakdown:

• Traditional recreation leagues will continue to be offered to provide players from age 4-18 the opportunity to participate in an organized fashion with a focus of learning new skills, meeting new friends and having fun, according to the release.

• Recreation players will have the opportunity for advanced individual development while continuing to participate in recreation leagues through participation in OSA’s Recreation Advanced Development (RAD) program coordinated to compliment recreation practice and game play. RAD players will receive technical, speed, agility, and goalkeeper training from advanced instructors in a group environment.

• Soccer players looking for more competitive play without a significant travel commitment can soon participate in the OSA Academy. OSA enters its Select teams into Georgia Soccer leagues at either the Athena or Classic level and teams will train twice a week. Tournament play is an important part of the season at this level. Increased emphasis is given to the tactical and mental aspects of competition. Players are expected to learn to play skillfully in multiple positions and formations. Individual skill development remains important; Athena and Classic players have access to technical, speed and agility, and goalkeeper training in addition to team training sessions.

Online tryout registration will be available April 16 at www.ocprd.com and tryouts will be held on the following dates from 6-8 p.m. at Soccer Complex for both boys' and girls' teams:

• U8 – U12 Junior Academy/Academy & U13 Athena/Classic Tryouts - May 29 – 31
• U14 & Older Athena/Classic Tryouts - June 5 – 7

Signing date (registration days) will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. in the Oconee Veterans Park Community Center on the following dates:

• U10-U13 Academy, Athena and Classic - June 12, 2012
  U14 - U19 Athena and Classic - June 19, 2012