Academy Program Info

Program Information

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Academy Program is offered as an alternative to the Recreational Program and provides an opportunity for advanced development of players ages U7 through U10. The program focuses on developing advanced technical and tactical skills in a competitive training and playing environment. This program is designed for the player with a high level of commitment to their soccer development and requires a greater commitment of time and financial resources than the Recreational Program. Academy teams are coached by staff coaches working within a club-wide curriculum developed by the Director of Player Development and Academy Director.

TRAINING FORMAT

Academy Program participants ages U7-U10 will attend two training sessions per week. At no additional cost, Academy players will have access to an optional third weekly session through the Skills Clinics Program designed for players who wish to further develop their existing skill set through an age-appropriate progressive model of training focused on ball mastery, control, passing, receiving, dribbling, shooting and juggling.

FEE STRUCTURE

The Academy Program fee structure requires players to pay monthly training dues separate of their proportionate share of any costs incurred by their team, such as tournament fees, league and referee fees, or coach travel expenses for matches outside of the Oklahoma City Metro Area. Players will pay a registration fee after accepting a spot in the Academy Program with the remaining balance payable in annual, bi-annual or monthly installments.

The annual player fee outlined above includes participation in the Academy Program, Goalkeeping Program and Skills Clinics Program. The annual player fee does not include the cost of player kits, player travel expenses or team fees associated with field rental and usage.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

In an effort to fully realize its Mission as a benefit corporation, Sporting Oklahoma has created a scholarship program for families in need of financial assistance. For additional information, please visit the Scholarship Information & Application page located under the Registration menu tab.

TEAM FORMATION

It is the desire of Sporting Oklahoma to place participants of its programs in the most developmentally appropriate level of play available in order to maximize the growth of the participant. To help facilitate this desire, the club has developed a unique framework intended to reduce the anxiety, stress, and other complications associated with more traditional player placement and team formation methods.

The I.D.E.A.L. Framework for Player Placement

Identify • Develop • Evaluate • Assign • Loopback

At Sporting Oklahoma, we believe every player deserves a challenging and supportive environment designed to promote long-term development. For this reason, we created the I.D.E.A.L. framework for player placement within our Academy Program. A dynamic and deliberate process intended to continuously identify talent, develop skill, evaluate progression, and ensure players are training and competing in an environment which meets their individual development needs. I.D.E.A.L. is more than an approach — it’s a philosophy which embraces potential, fosters growth, and adapts to the evolving needs of each player.

Identify

The identification phase serves as the entry point to the Academy Program, focusing on recognizing players with the potential to thrive in a structured developmental environment. Through observation and interaction, coaches and staff assess technical ability, tactical awareness, physical literacy, and character to determine readiness for the next stage of development.

Develop

Following the identification phase, players enter a development-focused environment designed to build foundational skills and nurture individual growth. Training sessions prioritize technical refinement, tactical understanding, and physical literacy, while fostering creativity, resilience, and a love for the game.

Evaluate

The evaluation phase ensures player progress is consistently monitored and measured. Players are regularly assessed using both formal and informal evaluation methods, ranging from written assessments in the form of an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to coach observations, designed to provide a well-rounded picture of development for each player. This ongoing process allows for adjustments in training and overall development, ensuring each player continues to progress at the appropriate pace.

Assign

Following the evaluation phase, players are placed in training and playing environments which align with their current stage of development. This placement ensures each player is appropriately challenged while receiving the support necessary to foster continued growth and progress.

Loopback

The final phase of the I.D.E.A.L. framework reinforces the ever-evolving nature of player development. “The Loop” ensures Identification, Development, Evaluation, and Assignment are not one-time events, but interconnected elements of a continuous, dynamic process. As players progress, each phase is revisited routinely to ensure players remain in the appropriate developmental environment. This cyclical approach promotes long-term growth, adaptability, and sustained progress, allowing the development pathway for each player to be refined as they evolve.

Why I.D.E.A.L. Matters!

The I.D.E.A.L. process reflects our commitment to player-first development. By maintaining a cycle of thoughtful evaluation and flexible team placement, we ensure each player’s experience at Sporting Oklahoma is both personalized and purpose-driven, leading to more well-rounded players, who are resilient teammates, thriving both on and off the field. Development is not a one-time event — it is a journey.

UNIFORM POLICY

Adidas is the exclusive provider of official apparel for Sporting Oklahoma, including “Academy Player Kits” which consist of the following:

Home Uniform (Jersey, Shorts and Socks)

Away Uniform (Jersey, Shorts and Socks)

Backpack (Optional)

The cost of Academy Player Kits are the responsibility of the player. Academy Player Kits must be purchased in advance of the season and utilized on a two (2) year cycle. Academy players are not required to have a distinct jersey number and may choose from any number one (1) through ninety-nine (99), regardless of any duplication.

Academy Players Kits will have only the Sporting Oklahoma logo and name, player number or other addition as designated by the club. Players are not permitted to modify, decorate or otherwise personalize any item of their Academy Player Kit. Any uniform with unapproved alterations will be replaced at the cost of the individual, prior to the individual being allowed to participate in club-sponsored activities.

Any compression, insulated, or other type of undergarment worn beneath the jersey of a uniform must match, or closely resemble, the primary color of the jersey worn over the top of the undergarment. Any compression, insulated, or other type of undergarment worn beneath the shorts of a uniform must match the primary color of the shorts worn over the top of the undergarment.

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