MTA Junior Academy U8-U12 Teams – Overview
Ages 6 through 12 are the most critical development years of a soccer player’s career. It is at these ages where the basic fundamental skills of soccer are mastered that allow players to compete and be successful as soccer players at the next level of play and where they develop a true love for the game. For 6-8 year olds, explore our ThunderBolts Training. The year-round Junior Academy program is designed for players ages 8-12 years old who have a higher level of ability, commitment, and interest level in soccer. This program helps prepare players who aspire to play in the Minnesota NPL, Boys ECNL or Girls ECNL.
Minnesota Thunder Academy has prepared a program that recognizes U8-U12 players. This is designed for players of higher standard and commitment level. We will play & train in a quality environment throughout the fall, winter, spring and summer.
Key Success Factors
Players will train with our professional coaches in a highly competitive setting. With a new turf field at Academy of Holy Angels, and additional grass fields, our training environment simply cannot be replicated.
Teams within the MTA Junior Academy train together 2 to 3 times per week from mid-August through mid-July of the following Summer
Players work under the guidance of our top-level professional soccer coaches and trainers. We make it a priority that our players are given the right technical foundation that will allow them to compete at the next levels of play (Minnesota NPL, Boys ECNL, Girls ECNL, high school varsity, collegiate, professional).
Are you tired of being on teams with half the players seldom showing up for training? MTA brings together like-minded families who have a higher level of commitment and interest in soccer.
We instill and foster a deep passion for the game. This passion is what will help drive and motivate the players to work on their technical skills on their own and to compete at the highest levels of play.
Your coach is with you for the entire year; not just some training sessions through the winter and once or twice in the summer. Our coaches stay with their teams through the entire year for both training and games.
U8 (2016) Crossover Program: ThunderBolts to Juniors Academy
MTA’s U8 ThunderBolts seeking a head start into the competitive soccer landscape also have the opportunity to join our developmental crossover programming, which is a combination of our Fall (Session A) & Summer ThunderBolt Development Program and our Juniors Academy Team Training, competing year around in the TSCL Fives Fests.
Training Details: average 2 contacts per week, mid-Aug thru mid-July Tentative Winter Training Days: TBD
Your MTA Player Fee: $1265 Includes: Coach fee, MTA Club fee, US Club League fees, Coach education & licensing, Field rental & equipment, BYGA team page, Secondary insurance,
If incurred, Team fees are collected by your team manager through Snap!Spend, and include: Tournament Registrations; Team Participation in scrimmages, futsal, or other outside training.
Your MTA Player Fee Includes MTA Programs Only. Other non-MTA programs are possible. Outside programs are not included and will be collected separately.
Additional Team Expenses may be incurred (estimate $0-$200). All players equally share team expenses regardless of participation in individual events.
| Season | U8 Details |
|---|---|
| Fall (~Aug 14-Oct 15) | Fall ThunderBolts 1x/week; Team training 1x/week; 2 Fall Fests |
| Winter (~Oct 29-April 7) | Team training 1x/week; 4 Winter Fests; ThunderBolts Winter session optional for additional training day |
| Spring (~April 8-May 26) | Team training 2x/week; 2 May Fests |
| Summer (~June 2-July 14) | Summer ThunderBolts 2x/week; 1 June Fest. U9 Tryouts in July 2024. |
If interested in participating in the U8 program, please email [email protected] and see the Boys/Girls Team Expectations pages for more information.
U8 Program participants – do NOT register for Fall ThunderBolts as it is included in the U8 Team Fee.
The MTA Junior Academy operates within the Twin Cities metro area and practices are primarily held in Richfield. Teams are typically formed for each gender age group (U9-U12). Players ages 7-8 are encouraged to train in our year-round ThunderBolts Development Program.
MTA Junior Academy teams compete in the Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL – US Club).
Tryouts for the MTA Junior Academy will be held in mid July at Academy of Holy Angels. For more detail, please visit the Tryouts Information page.
Training Frequency: 3-4 times per week.
Locations: Primarily at the Academy of Holy Angels
Please see the Boys Team Expectations page for information on the current season.
MTA Junior Academy teams typically participate in 3-4 tournaments per year in addition to league play. It is possible that our top teams at this age may travel to out-of-town tournaments. If this is the case, you will be made aware of this at tryouts.
Why Choose MTA
Year-round training with the top talent in Minnesota.
Highly-qualified coaches with US Soccer & NSCAA accreditation.
Perfect for serious players who seek a high level of competition.
Gain visibility to collegiate scouts and national team coaches.
What Parents Say
MTA provides elite coaching and technical training other clubs cannot match. They also understand how to prepare the kids for the next level.
The kids that gravitate to MTA push each other to be better soccer players while being good people.
The coaching is consistent. It doesn’t matter who the coach is or what level—Each and every coach is teaching the players how to possess the ball and increasing their soccer IQ. We are always please with the methods.
The training, teaching of ball control and footwork, and knowledge of game strategy is hands above community clubs.
Training is great! If you want to play college soccer MTA is heads above everyone else.
As the years go by, our son is growing so much as a player and we are excited for his future with the club
Great coaching staff!
Challenging every player, at every level, thereby giving an equal opportunity to develop to anyone who wants it.
The coaching and training is excellent as well as the facilities for winter training.
MTA provides a safe and effective training environment. They provide top level coaching for the elite teams and challenge the players to develop their skills.
MTA provides opportunities for soccer players who are very dedicated to the sport through great coaching and playing opportunities.
My son’s coach truly cares about him and every player on his team.
Camps & Clinics
Minnesota Thunder Academy offers Thunder Edge Skills Training as well as various camps & clinics throughout the calendar year, open to MTA and non-MTA players. Participation in MTA camps and clinics provides an alternative to private lessons and private training.
MTA’s Juniors Camp is designed to introduce players to the core training & tactical activities that coaches implement within MTA Juniors Academy. The experience emphasizes the values and philosophy of the MTA program, and is open to all players, regardless of club affiliation (non-MTA & MTA).
MTA ECNL-NPL Camp is designed to introduce players to the core training and tactical activities that coaches implement with the MTA ECNL and Minnesota-NPL teams. The experience emphasizes the values and philosophy of the MTA program so the players have an understanding of what evaluation criteria are used during the tryout process.
MTA’s Girls College Soccer ID Camp, open to all, is hosted by MTA and is designed to introduce players to some of the top coaches in the midwest while competing with other top girls from Minnesota.
MTA’s Father & Son Soccer Camp is an exceptionally unique soccer camp that will build magical memories and top flight soccer skills. Each participant receives individual and group instruction in a fun environment designed to help kids maximize their playing potential and help dads shake some rust off to learn (or relearn) some skills.
No school? Have some fun and improve your soccer skills on Martin Luther King Jr Day!
Open to all players, regardless of club affiliation (non-MTA & MTA).
Take your game to the next level! Minnesota Thunder Academy’s Thunder Edge Training Sessions offer professional training for all players at all skill levels in a fun but challenging age-appropriate environment. Open to all players, regardless of club affiliation (non-MTA & MTA).
