ThunderBolts: U6/U7/U8 program with 3 Seasons /year
ThunderBolts Development Academy is a coach-led training program for players at any skill level in a fun but challenging age-appropriate environment. We take pride in providing positive instruction for each player to ensure social, physical and mental development – on and off the soccer field. The ThunderBolts program is designed to lay a foundation for the love of soccer, self-discovery and independence for players ages 6-8 through game-like activities and play.
We focus on technical skills to allow young players to become comfortable with a ball and eventually be able to make natural decisions based on confidence and skill. We fundamentally believe that if players master the basics through learning more advanced technical skills, then they can continue to develop and be ready for our Boys and Girls Junior Program at U9. We value the idea of creating players that are playing fluidly rather than robotic, and we see the long term effects as they grow into more competitive soccer.
ThunderBolts follows the US Soccer Federation Play/Train/Play philosophy, with a player-centered approach to coaching. Players will be encouraged to have fun, challenge themselves, and learn to love the game of soccer!
Winter 2023-2024
| Ages eligible* | U7-U8 Players • Birthyears 2017, 2016 U6 Players • Birthyear 2018 w/ soccer experience. |
| Location | Winter Park – MTA Training Facility 9520 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie MN |
| Season Days/Times | Sundays Session A: 3:00pm-4:00pm Session B: 4:30pm-5:30pm |
| Session Dates | Nov 5, 12, 19, 26 Dec 3, 10, 17 (Not 24 or 31) Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 Feb 4, 18, 25 (Not 11) Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 (Not 31) |
| Fee | $415 Early Registration Discount! $399 when registered on or before Oct 1 |
Summer 2023 Season
Summer 2024 Info coming soon!
| Ages eligible | U6*-U7-U8 Players • Birthyears 2016, 2015 *2017s w/ approval only |
| Season Dates | June 4 – July 16 |
| Session Days/times | Session A: Sundays 3:30-4:30pm AND Wed 6-7pm Session B: FULL Sundays 4:45-5:45pm AND Wed 6-7pm |
| Session Dates | Sundays June 4, 11, 18, Wednesdays June 7, 14, 21*, 28, July 5, Saturday, July 8 (Make-up session) *No sessions on Sun June 25 due to soccer fests & Wed June 21 due to Thunderpalooza. **No session Wed July 12 due to U13+ ECNL tryouts |
| Location | Academy of Holy Angels South Turf field 6600 Nicollet Ave, Richfield MN 55423 |
| Fee | $175 per player (prorated fees will apply for late start) |
Fall 2023 Season
| Ages eligible | U7-U8 players • Birthyears 2017 & 2016 (2015 players move into U9 for Fall 2023) |
| Season Days/Dates | Sundays September 10, 17, 24 & October 1, 8, 15 |
| Session Options | Session A: 3:45-4:45pm Session B: 5:00-6:00pm |
| Location | Academy of Holy Angels South Turf field 6600 Nicollet Ave, Richfield MN 55423 |
| Fee | $105 (Late Start Prorated Fees Will Apply) Early Registration Discount: $95 on or before July 16 |
ThunderBolts Development Academy for U6*,U7,U8
Birthyears 2017 & 2016 are eligible* for Fall 2023 – Summer 2024 (2018’s w/ approval only)
*2018 Players: Age exceptions may be made for 2018 players with previous soccer experience and/or a strong desire to play soccer. If it is determined by the Director to not be a good fit for your player, a pro-rated refund will be given. Complete this form for approval before registration.
*2015 Players: Age exceptions may be made for 2015 that are not ready for the competitive lever, though preference will be given to players born in the intended birth years. Complete this form for approval before registration.
Open to boys and girls of all skill levels
3 Seasons of ThunderBolts: Summer, Fall and Winter
Fall 2023 thru Summer 2024: Birthyears 2017 & 2016 (2015 move to U9)
Fall 2024 thru Summer 2025: Birthyears 2018 & 2017 (2016 move to U9)
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.
If interested in participating in the U8 program, please register HERE for the MTA 2023-2024 Tryouts 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.
| 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. |
Key Success Factors
Training will be 2x week for 1 hour during Summer Seasons.
Training will be 1x week for 1 hour during Fall & Winter Season.
The program will use the USSF Play/Train/Play Format
We bring 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.
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).
