Boarding Academies

Boarding academies are not normal soccer decisions. They are life decisions. A boarding or residential academy may include: Soccer training Schooling Housing Meals Supervision Strength and conditioning Medical support College placement support Match schedule Recruiting exposure Residential rules Family separation This is not the same as joining a local club. Parents must evaluate the whole child, not just the soccer opportunity. Questions Parents Must Ask Academic Questions Is the school accredited? What curriculum is offered? Are courses accepted by colleges? How are grades monitored? What happens if the player struggles academically? What academic support exists? Who communicates with parents? Soccer Questions Who is the head coach? What is the training schedule? What league or match schedule does the team play? How are players evaluated? What is the roster size? What is the player’s likely role? What outcomes has the program produced? Are there written development plans? Residential Questions Who supervises players? What are the safeguarding policies? What is the housing setup? What is the food quality? What happens on weekends? How is homesickness handled? What are the behavior rules? What happens if the player wants to leave? Medical and Mental Health Questions Is there athletic training support? Is there medical access? Is there concussion protocol? Is there mental health support? Who manages return-to-play decisions? How are injuries communicated to parents? Financial Questions What is the full cost? What is included? What is not included? What is the refund policy? What happens if the player is injured?