The OSL Developmental Program at GGS is focused on teaching young athletes to have fun playing soccer and learning the fundamentals of the game. The program is for players U3 to U12 boys and girls, in which teams are formed by geographical region, and for players who wants to play together with their friends or schoolmates. It is the foundation of our club and is designed to encourage our players to develop a passion for the game and enhance their technical skill. ​ The Developmental Program is also perfect for players taking their first steps in the game and features games against other teams within the club of a similar skill level. These developmental routes a young athlete can pursue with GGS, will give any child a great start to our competitive program. GGS's Program Coordinator, DOC and coaching staff provides the resources, equipment and materials needed for the volunteer coaches through coaches’ meeting, clinics and game/practice day appearances. All team coaches are volunteer and are supported by GGS's professional trainers. The primary focus of the program is to offer age appropriate training. ​ • Mini Kickers- U5-U6 (born in 2012/2011) plays 3v3 • Mini Kickers- ages U7-U8 (born in 2010/2009) plays 4v4 • Future Stars- ages U9-10-11-12 (born in 2008/2007/2006/2005) plays 7v7 • GGS’s Bridge Program U7-U12 - 8 sessions / 60 minutes • GGS’s First Touch U3-U4 - 8 sessions / 45 minutes

• Top level qualified and experienced staff • All coaches follow long term age specific program • Highly technical development philosophy based on the modern possession game • Guided discovery approach to foster player thinking, problem solving and decision making • Focus on player development • Inter squad games • 1 training session per week for U7-U12 years old • 1 players’ evaluation per year season • Bridge Program sessions available (optional)

• Practices consist of activities where each child has their own ball and each week they will be taught a different skill. At the end of the program, each child will be given an evaluation which will cover each major area that they have received instruction in. • Without realizing it, each child will be working physically and therefore improve their anaerobic threshold. • With the use of balance coordination agility, endurance and speed exercises, we teach motor skills. Discipline, team work and sportsmanship are also encouraged. • No other sport expects players to move a ball with their feet at speed, while moving their body. This help each child with their coordination. Also, soccer has been shown to help children improve their concentration levels. • Team sports help children learn to work as a group and socialize with each other! GGS’s coaches are committed to mentor and have and positive impact on each child. • By learning in a fun environment, hopefully we can foster a love of exercise which in turn will help combat the huge problem of child obesity. • For some children, this may be the only opportunity for them to access this level of coaching due to financial or time restrictions on their families. • The program fee will include registration to US Soccer. Those children wishing to pursue the sport further, or identified as having potential will be invited to join GGS Soccer Academy at the appropriate level.

Throughout the whole year, you are able to join the GGS Soccer Academy. Before starting the Fall and Spring seasons, we do hold Players Assessment and Placement and ask athletes to do their best to attend these events. If you are unable to come, you can still be placed into one of our Developmental Program. To do so, please contact GGS's Director of Coaching or Technical Director and we will invite the player to a training session to properly place them to a team suitable with their ability level and age.

GGS’s main goal and commitment is to develop soccer players at all levels. However, is our goal to to give our player the “BEST” soccer experience possible and help the children nurture their passion and motivation to learn soccer. ​ Doing the Players’ Assessment and Placement, we expected to accomplish better results on building teams on the same level. This way, avoiding awkward situations like a team beat another program team for 12 or 10 goals difference. Therefore, it is vital we place players on and make teams with a good balance of players’ level.

Players must wear soccer appropriate clothing. This includes cleats and shin guards, and bring a soccer ball and water bottle.

Yes, we will evaluate all requests to play up. Players are expected to play in their age appropriate groups. A year makes a big difference in the physical and the emotional growth of a child. For the most part, playing up can provide a good opportunity for the success and development of a individual player. However, during the tryout process, the GGS coaching staff will rigorously evaluate any players interested in playing up by their ability to do so and a team’s need. In addition, GGS staff will look at playing up on a player by player basis, taking the player’s development as our priority.

No, players CANNOT play down with younger players. For example, a player born in 2008 CANNOT go and play with the 2009 Birth Year age group.

Birth year means that players will play in the age group of the year of their birth. The Birth Year calendar dates run from January 1st to December 31st. For example, if you are born between Jan. 1st and Dec. 31st, 2010, you will play in the 2010 Birth Year age group.

The main benefit for playing Birth Year is for developmental purposes. At the local level throughout our state, it will allow for better development because it will push individual players, raise the competitive standards, improve team competition and create more meaningful league games. Birth year chart for the 2018/19 Season: Click Here(https://1e5f4a87-3e4e-4b84-929e-428280000cbe.filesusr.com/ugd/e1d7da_ef0a1e07f94740bc9083fbdf6934efd3.pdf)

ALL games will be played on Saturdays morning ages U5- U12 Girls & Boys will play GGS in-house league games at Jim Beech Recreation Center

All games and practices sessions will be held at Jim Beech Recreation Center Address: 1820 A. D. Mims Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761. All practices will be Fridays and games Saturdays morning.

8 sessions and 8 games.

For more information about practice and game days, please check the Developmental Programpage for the age group of your child to find out program schedule.​

During registration, you will be asked the uniform size for the participant. All orders will come to our staff, who will distribute to each team and individual player at the first week of the season. Please make sure to choose correct size.

For more information about cost, please check the Developmental Program page for the age group of your child in order to find out the correct cost.​

NONE.

Scholarships are NOT available for Developmental Program.

We will run the developmental program in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

A traveling competitive team plays with other teams in and out of the state of Florida, instead of just at the home club. Some travel is involved but it is all within an hour and half of home. Teams start traveling at the U8 age competitive level for both boys and girls.

Yes, by enrolling the children into US Club Soccer, they will automatically be covered. Further details can be provided if necessary.

Yes, we do offer sibling discount. Please check the costs and discount at the page Developmental Program

YES! GGS coaches and trainers are professional, licensed, experienced, and with huge soccer playing and training backgrounds. They will run a 30-40 minutes session, them, players will go to their respective voluntary coaches and play small sides games for another 30-40 minutes.

We follow an expertly designed fun teaching curriculum. Each week a different skill is taught through imaginative, fun child recognized themed games. Practices consist of activities where each child has a ball each. Age appropriate level of difficulty is carefully considered and children play with their own age group.