Select General Info & FAQ

This FAQ is intended to be a brief introduction to Select soccer for parents and players who are unfamiliar with it.

1. What is Select soccer?

Select soccer is more competitive than Recreational soccer. The training and coaching is carried out by licensed, professional soccer coaches. Compared to Recreational soccer, Select soccer requires a greater time and financial commitment from the parents and players. It mainly involves games in and around the metro Atlanta area, but potentially away games and tournaments can be in other parts of Georgia. Some teams attend out of state tournaments.

 2. What age groups does Select soccer apply to?

 Select is split into two age groupings. Academy is from U9 to U12,. Athena (Girls) and Classic (Boys) is from U13 to U19. Academy game scores are not recorded, whereas Athena and Classic teams play for points and are involved in divisional play with promotion and relegation opportunities.

3. Are the genders split?

 Yes. The teams are split into boys and girls teams.

4. How do I know which age group my son/daughter is in?

Beginning Aug. 1, 2016, US Youth Soccer will be using the following birth-year “labels” for competition, based upon the season in which competition ends. More information can be found at US Youth Soccer.

Players born from August 1, 1997 – December 31, 1998 will be labeled as Under-19/20s
Players born from January 1, 1999 – December 31, 1999 will be labeled as Under-18s
Players born from January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2000 will be labeled as Under-17s
Players born from January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2001 will be labeled as Under-16s
Players born from January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2002 will be labeled as Under-15s
Players born from January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2003 will be labeled as Under-14s
Players born from January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004 will be labeled as Under-13s
Players born from January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2005 will be labeled as Under-12s
Players born from January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2006 will be labeled as Under-11s
Players born from January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007 will be labeled as Under-10s
Players born from January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008 will be labeled as Under-09s
Players born from January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010 will be labeled as Under-07-08 Future Academy

Age groups are divided up into A, B, C, D and E level teams, with the A level being the top team. At UFA, these levels are given names respectively. Premier, Red, Gold, Black, White and Silver. However, if an age group does not have a Premier (A level) team in that age group, the top team will be called Red.

10. Can a player move between teams?

Yes. The coaching staff will make this decision. In the Academy, players can be moved up or down, depending on their ability level, their rate of development and their commitment level. In Athena and Classic, the structure is more rigid and a player does not usually move down during the calendar soccer year. However, a player is allowed one transfer per year and could move down onto a lower level team, if the move is supported by the coaching staff. Players on a lower level team can ‘club pass’ up to a higher level team, for one or more games, if the coaches agree.

11. Apart from regular season games, will the players go to tournaments?

Yes. Teams are required to do at least one pre season and one post season tournament each season. So with two seasons, this means a minimum of four tournaments per calendar year. Some higher level teams attend more than four tournaments.

12. What is the financial cost of being on a Select team for a year?

It varies, depending on age group and team level and the number of tournaments that the team goes to.

Annual club registration fees for players range from $695 - $1,275 depending upon age. If the player lives outside of the County, additional fees apply.

In addition, there is the uniform cost of around $160 to $250. The manufacturers change uniform designs every two years. Also, 

Coach’s Fees

Additional practices $5/hr per player
Scrimmage $10/player
Tournament $50/day per deim plus mileage

Typically, with four tournaments, the total fees along with coach expenses will come to around $250 per player, per calendar year. This figure does not include any hotel expenses for the player and family, if a hotel was necessary.

After Try Outs, all Select players are required to attend the August Team Camp. This team camp is three hours per day for five days, and the cost is included in the above fees.

13. If my player cannot attend a particular tournament, do we still have to pay?

Yes. It is club policy that the tournament fees and expenses are divided equally between all rostered players for that team, regardless of whether the player can make the tournament or not.

14. How many players on a team?

U9 to U10 will play 6v6. Usually, eight rostered players per team.

U11 and U12 will play 8v8. Usually, eleven rostered players per team.

U13 to U19 will play 11v11. Usually, fifteen rostered players per team.

15. How much playing time will my son/daughter get?

The guideline is at least the equivalent of half the game. Playing time will be affected by performance, ability, effort and commitment, both at practice and in games. This is a coaching staff decision.

16. Are players expected to attend every practice and every game?

Yes. If a player cannot make a practice or a game, the coach must be notified with as much advance notice as possible. Whilst it is expected that a player will be at each practice and game, it is accepted that sickness and special occasions may mean a player misses an occasional practice or game.

17. What nights and times are practices?

It depends on the age group, coach and field availability. A team will either practice on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday.

U9 to U11 will usually practice from 5pm to 6.30pm.

U12 to U15 will usually practice from 6.30pm to 8pm.

 U16 to U19 will usually practice from 8pm to 9.30pm.

18. Are there written codes of conduct for players and parents?

Yes. UFA has written codes of conduct for players and parents.

Parent Code of Conduct - click here

Player Code of Conduct - click here

19.  Can anyone find out information about our child and their team?

Child safety is a paramount concern to United Futbol Academy. With that in mind, our policy prohibits staff members from communicating specific information about a child or team to any individual not listed in the child’s registration information.  We appreciate your understanding.