The St. James Futsal Academy captured three state championships and placed three other teams in the championship finals of the 2020 VYSA State Futsal Championships.
The TSJFA model puts players’ development first with the educational focus and purpose of instruction on the finer detail of technical execution, tactical understanding and individual ability to adapt, make decisions and apply lessons to the game of Futsal. The St. James Futsal Academy values individual, small group and team development, teaching both the inner workings of the game of Futsal and individual roles and responsibilities as a player and team member. Athletic and mental performance will be addressed holistically in each phase of the Academy program. Each training session, competition and team activity will test and push the players technically, tactically, physically, and cognitively.
The TSJFA program conforms with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES to inspire and educate youth soccer players to engage in soccer activities that are fun, comprehensive and aligned with a long-term pathway to soccer excellence. As such, instruction will focus on the following curricular themes:
The St. James Futsal Academy utilizes Best Practices in player development that align with U.S. Futsal and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The St. James Futsal Academy is the preeminent educational and performance resource center for youth futsal players in the United States. Student-athletes will have the most comprehensive futsal development experience in the country with services for beginners and those at the advanced level.
The goal is to make youth futsal player development a measurable and educationally-meaningful experience for the child and his/her family, with a deliberate focus on “learning by doing” and holistic training, mentorship and competition.
Academy training sessions are held once a week in the late summer and through most of the fall. Once the outdoor soccer season ends, Academy players will begin training twice a week in order to prepare for league and tournament competition. At the end of the winter season, the Academy reverts back to one session per week through the end of April.
The St. James Futsal Academy is located at The St. James in Springfield, Virginia and utilizes (4) hard court surfaces in the CourtHouse, a 33,000 square foot facility.
The Academy will conduct programming in the western ridge of Fairfax County and/or Loudoun County area, and utilize these facilities to attract individual players to participate in Academy team training sessions throughout the 2020-21 futsal year.
The St. James Futsal Academy is led by Kurt Gordon, a leader in the training and development of youth futsal players and soccer teams in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Coach Gordon directs all aspects of the Academy, which includes but is not limited to, the following:
Player and team selection is based on performance and evaluation of candidates in each age group on a weekly basis with Coach Gordon and members of the technical staff.