Program information is below the registration information.
The Azzurri Academy has many different programs that will challenge and educate the most dedicated of players. This coming winter season we have added a games program that will reinforce the goal of technical proficiency and creativity.
Winter 2012 - 2013
F.C. Azzurri Team Program
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U14 Boys: Register Here (Includes the Sunday and Wednesday training sessions)
You must be invited to participate on a F.C. Azzurri team to register for the team program.
Training Only
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Ages
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Day
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Time
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Location
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Price
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U10B/U11B
U11G/U12G
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Sunday |
4:00pm – 5:30pm
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Wagner Training Center
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$500.00
Register Here
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U13 - U15 Boys
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Sunday
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5:30pm – 7:00pm
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Wagner Training Center
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$500.00
Register Here
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U13-U15 Girls
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Sunday
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7:00pm – 8:30pm
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Wagner Training Center
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$500.00
Register Here
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Dates: 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 1/6/13, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/7, 4/14
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U13 - U15
Boys
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Wednesday |
8:00pm – 9:30pm |
Wagner Training
Center |
$500.00
Register Here
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Dates: 11/7, 11/14, 11/8, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/2/13, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/10, 4/17
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All programs include a full Azzurri Training Uniform.
Azzurri Academy is an invite-only program. If you are interested in joining the Academy, please contact us for further information on how to be invited to train.
The Azzurri Academy is a year-round, soccer program that focuses on the training and development of the most talented, committed soccer players. Through its affiliation with Wagner Soccer and multiple soccer organizations, Azzurri Academy is able to recognize players who are ready to move into a more challenging environment, which will help foster their potential as players.
The Azzurri Academy was developed by coaches who lived as youth in Brazil and Italy, gaining an understanding of how children in the two most successful soccer cultures developed their skills and passion for the sport. The program is unique in its focus on individual player development, with the goal of life-long passion.
Philosophy
Azzurri Academy focuses on the development of the individual player in an environment where players can learn the game, while being free to play and experiment. Children in the strongest soccer cultures in the world spend their childhood playing soccer for fun, in the neighborhood, without the intense structure that is prevalent in the United States.
The neighborhood is where the creative flair is learned and nurtured. Totti, Ronaldinho and Messi were not products of 3 structured class sessions a week from the time they were young, so why put your children in an environment where passion and flair is replaced by structure and coaching.
If your child is a happy player, they will willingly play more often, which will lead to stronger individual technical ability. If soccer is something that is considered a scheduled event, like all other structured activities in their lives, they will miss out on the passion needed to truly excel.
Azzurri Academy is not looking to create “Premier” or “Elite” teams. We will work with players to learn the habits and skills of great players.
Games Program
This Azzurri Academy program was developed as an add-on program for those looking to dedicate more time to training, which translates to higher skill development. Part of the program will include small-sided pick-up games. The “free-play” is critical to help develop all players’ sense of independence and confidence on the field.
All players are different in the way they think and perceive the game around them. They understand those differences when playing small-sided games and it helps them start to reinforce their own strengths. The game playing is not a “coached” session in that the kids will be stopped and taught. Instead it is a tool that the coaches can use to adjust curriculum, depending on the needs of the player. Open play is the most important aspect of soccer development. It is not part of most American developmental systems.
Futebol de Salao
Included in our game playing is our Futebol de Salao program. This unique form of soccer was considered the basis of Brazilian youth skill development. The game was used as the basis for Futsal, which is a faster, more European version of the game. Futebol de Salao balls are smaller, heavier and have less bounce than Futsal balls and they reward skill above all else. Because of the nature of the game, it is a great way to build technical skill in a small game setting. These balls are common amongst Brazilian youth and are credited with helping to develop the extreme foot-skill and control that Brazilians play with.
Coaching Staff
All coaches in the Azzurri Academy are selected because of their knowledge and experience in setting-up a successful training environment. The core focus of the Academy is to foster rapid improvement and to help players attain their peak potential, while training and during games.
To assure that proper attention is given to the player development and that the Academy curriculum is followed, Directors will continuously evaluate academy coaches. This continuous evaluation will help to provide a consistent level of development within the Azzurri Academy.
Phil Musumeci – Program Director, Azzurri Academy, Director of Coaching and Player Development, Greece Buccaneers Soccer Club. Over 30 years of youth development coaching. Former Olympic Development Program coach. Played 2 years in Italy for Catania.
Bob Wagner - Founder and Director of coaching for Wagner Soccer. Co-Founder and Youth Director, Azzurri Academy, Director of Coaching and Player Development, Stormers Soccer Club. NSCAA National License coach.
Gabi Sankowski - Head Goalkeeper Coach for Azzurri Academy and Wagner Soccer. Former Head Goalkeeper Coach for Rochester Raging Rhinos Women's team. Youth goalie trainer for 17 years. High School soccer coach for 8 years. MCC and Buffalo State goalkeeper.