The objective of this program is to provide the highest level and most intense training program available to assist returning college players and aspiring college bound players to be ready to excel when they return to college programs in August.
This will be accomplished by a combination of intense fitness and soccer training, competitive and friendly games and a final two week fitness program just prior to reporting to college pre season.
The program will be run through the South Jersey Elite Barons Youth Academy and will be run by two highly experienced coaches.
Don D’Ambra is a former All American division one player who had a very successful professional career. He is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Kixx and the Executive Director of our academy.
Dennis Ludwig is also a former all American division one player who was drafted and played with DC United in the MLS and is now coaching high level youth players.
Both Don and Dennis have been given the task of developing a highly professional, competitive program that will look to test the limits of the players. Training will be intense and demanding and the players will compete to play on the highest level team. The intention is to field a 1st and 2nd team with the competition for 1st team selection based solely on performance on the field during practice. Those players on the 1st team should always be looking over their shoulder expecting 2nd team members to be pushing for their spot. This is what they will deal with at any level the play at beyond high school and our intention is to duplicate that in this program. This is not a program for the non committed player. Egos and reputations should be left at the door as it will only matter how you perform in training as to where you fit in the team selections.
The program will begin on or about the third week of May and run until July 31st when the final two week intense pre season sessions will occur. There will be two one and a half hour sessions per week through July 31st and four one and a half hour sessions per week in the first two weeks in august.
The team will enter at least one if not both of the teams in the USYSA U19 state cup with those players age eligible for that program. This tournament generally occurs over two weekends in early June. Additional friendlies will be scheduled against high level teams throughout the program period with 1st team and 2nd team games.
Sessions and most home games will occur at Winslow High School in Winslow Township, New Jersey and training will generally be on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30pm to 8pm.
Scheduling of games and makeup sessions due to weather may result in some occasional day changes in the schedule.
Program Cost $475 for new players (Existing U18 players under contract in the SJB program is included in year round tuition)
The program cost will include the following:
Coaching costs
Player pass registration fees
USYSA state cup entry fee
Facility usage fees
Two alternate team tee shirts (numbered)
Black shorts and socks (optional for purchase if you do not already have) Team administration fee
This fee is due in full prior to player registration.
The future of this program is being developed in conjunction with US Club Soccer and the intent is to develop a highly competitive but user friendly regional U23 and U20 program through US Club Soccer that will provide an outlet for competitive players at a reasonable cost (no significant travel requirements) to allow them to stay highly tuned for their entire college careers. This summer’s pilot program will be developed into a more formal program for the following summer. The 1st team would compete at the U23 age group and the 2nd team would compete at the U20 age group but highly motivated and capable younger players are expected to push for U23 spots as this program wants players looking to be the best that they can be.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact:
Cliff Simmons,
Director of Coaching, South Jersey Elite Barons Soccer Academy
csimmons@sjbarons.com
