The Wake FC North Instructional Soccer program is unique to other recreational programs in NC. It is designed to introduce young players, their parents, and future coaches to an environment that develops love, passion, and the skill set needed for players to enjoy competing in the team environment at the older ages and more competitive programs. The program will create an environment that fosters a whole player, parent, and coach engagement environment. One that is necessary to keep the kids playing and loving the game for their entire childhood. Every session will be full of energy with every player getting tons of touches on the ball in age appropriate games and activities. Parents and potential coaches will be encouraged to join in to learn the #theWAKEFCway. The program will aim to increase the player's skills, understanding of, and love for the game. 

Fall Season with COVID

At Wake FC we realize these are challenging times for all families and especially the youth in our community. Interacting and engaging in person with friends of similar interests is so important to the psychosocial development of our children. Our staff has spent the entire summer safely and successfully running summer camps and team training sessions at Ting Park in Holly Springs and JCC in North Raleigh. All while maintaining social distancing guidelines to safely provide an environment for kids to be back out on the fields with their friends. 

We have developed two options for the fall season due to the phase we are in as a state for you to choose from. Both options offer the opportunity for your child to be out on the field learning and enjoying the game of soccer in an environment you are comfortable with. This allows us to offer soccer programming for the kids that makes you the parent comfortable without having a disruption in the season for the players.  

Option 1: Individualized Training Environment

Players will not be placed in team like training environments. The seven-week season will consist of training sessions during the week that follow all social distancing guidelines. These sessions will focus on individual player development through activities and physical coordination in age-appropriate games that require one player to one ball with their own designated training space at the field. All sessions will be built around social distancing guidelines and the staff will work with the players, parents, and volunteers to ensure these sessions are executed safely for all the families. All CDC recommendations will be enforced at the fields and facilities for players, staff, and parents. 

Option 2: Team Like Training Environment

Players will be placed in a team like training environments. This training environment will be in accordance to the latest return to play guidelines released by NCYSA allowing players to scrimmage and play games. The seven-week season will consist of one training session per week. All sessions will still be built around social distancing guidelines in and around the fields and facility and during water breaks. Players will be allowed to engage in activities on the field with limited amounts of contact: scrimmaging, 1v1’s, small-sided games are just a few examples of activities that will be allowed. The staff will work with parents, and volunteers to ensure these sessions are executed safely for all the families. All CDC recommendations will be enforced at the fields and facilities for players, staff, and parents.

What are the goals of the program?

• Instill confidence and love for the game in both players, parents, and coaches

• Work with parents, and coaches to help develop the necessary environment to ensure players can be successful at older ages and on teams or in more competitive programs

• Teach new skills to players and fine tune skills they already have to create passion for the game

• Teach coaches and parents how activities and exercises translate to the game and a fun enriching environment for the players

Who is the program for?

• Players in the Raleigh area, ages 4-8, who want to increase their skills, understanding of, and love for the game in an age-appropriate player centered environment

• Coaches with a passion for young player development that goes beyond winning games and focuses on a player centered approach

• Parents who want to increase their own knowledge and understanding of the game but most importantly learn how to create an environment that provides the best development opportunities for their children

How does the program work?

• One practice session a week

• Skill instruction will include age-appropriate shooting, passing, dribbling and ball control

• Physical instruction will include coordination, balance, agility, and overall conditioning