Comparison of the differences between U8 Comp (PDA) and U8 Rec
Time Commitment
| Factor | U8 Competitive aka "Player Dev. Academy" | U8 Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Year-round | Season to season (Fall and Spring) |
| Summer 2023 | Alameda-based team comp camp req'd; preferrably to be taken w/ U8 Girls' cohort, 8/7-8/11 2023; 12 pm - 3 pm; the cost of the summer camp is included in the cost for the year | Eligible to take summer rec camps, but no requirement |
| Fall 2023 | 8-10 weeks. Travel games can be on both weekend days. Practices will begin July 2023 & games will start around August | 8-10 weeks, practice starting in late August, all-Alameda-based games starting in September |
| Winter 2023/2024 | Optional practice 2x/week | No winter season offerings at this time |
| Spring 2024 | 8-10 weeks. Travel games typically on one weekend day. Playing another spring sport is ok, but player availability must be marked in TeamSnap early. | 8-10 weeks, practice starting in March, all Alameda-based games starting in April |
| Tournaments | No tournmaments. | No tournaments. |
Financial Commitment
| Factor | U8 Competitive aka "Player Dev. Academy" | U8 Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1,850 - runs June through May of the following year and includes a $385 summer camp, fall and spring seasons. Staggered payment possible. ASC has one of the most affordable programs in the Bay Area, but limited financial aid is available. Email scholarship@alamedasoccer.org for more info. | $165 / season; this doesn't cover summer camp |
Coaching
| Factor | U8 Competitive aka "Player Dev. Academy" | U8 Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Who coaches games | Parent coach | Parent coach |
| Who coaches practices | As of 5/1/23, the pro coach for U8 Comp Girls will be Ryan Jones. Coach Ryan will run technical trainings with support from parent ass't coach(es). | Practice 1: ASC pro coach, and parent coaches Practice 2: Parent coaches |
Practices
| Factor | U8 Competitive aka "Player Dev. Academy" | U8 Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 2 / week (option of 4 with Futsal & Fast Functional Feet) | 2 (At U8 the second weekly practice is not optional, as it was at U7) |
| Format | 75 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Location | Alameda | Alameda |
Games
| Factor | U8 Competitive aka "Player Dev. Academy" | U8 Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 8-10 "playdates" with local clubs | One game per week, always on the weekend. |
| Format | 2 x 25 minute games | 40 minutes. |
| Location | Spring 2023 - Alameda, Castro Valley, Montclair & Piedmont | Alameda |
Other
| Factor | U8 Competitive aka "Player Dev. Academy" | U8 Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Opens in April for the year | Opens in January for Spring; opens in July for Fall |
| Level of play | Mixed teams (no, red, white, blue division by ability until U9 competitive) | Mixed teams without division by ability |
| Number of teams in division | Depends, but there were 2 girls teams in U8 Comp aka "Player Development Academy" in the 22-23 season | Depends, but there were 5 girls teams for both the U7 and U8 levels in the 22-23 season |
| Player selection | Try-outs in May '23; selection based primarily on engagement, focus, and effort. Every player needs to tryout every year. If a player doesn't try out in U8, they can still tryout when they are ready for U9. | No tryouts |