PROGRAMS
Virginia Rush Program Overview/Player Development Pathway
| PROGRAM | GENERAL INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| MIGHTY MITES | The Mighty Mites program's purpose is to begin training young children at a critical stage of development, ages 2-4, and to enrich them with the FUNdamentals of soccer and with their motor and cognitive skills. This program assists in developing basic motor skills and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle not only needed to play soccer but in daily activities. The Mighty Mites Program will help develop coordination, creativity, a positive social interaction and a love for the game that will last a lifetime! |
| RECREATION | The Recreation program offers playing experiences for U4 through U12 players in the City of Virginia Beach as well as the surrounding Hampton Roads Community. Players are able to play in both fall and spring seasons or just one season. Fall registration begins in May; the season will start in early September and run through November. The spring registration will begin in December; the season will start in March and run through May. |
| ADVANCED | The Advanced program offers age groups U9 through U19 boys and girls. The Advanced program is offered to players who seek a level of play between recreational and travel. Teams are formed through an open onsite player placement process. Teams formed in June remain together for one year (fall and spring seasons). Players and teams can be added in the spring season. The primary focus of the Advanced program is to offer age appropriate training. The Advanced program groups children according to the US Youth Soccer (USYS) age group structure. Players U9-U12, participate in "small-sided" games, which enables the players to have more active participation and time on the ball. Players U13-U19, participate in 11v11, which allows the older players to receive the most realistic view of the game. All players in the Advanced program that participate in training/practices will play at least 50% of each game. |
| SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE ACADEMY | The School of Excellence Academy acts as a pathway from developmental to travel soccer for all young Rush players, ages U5 through U8, seeking higher levels of soccer instruction. This is a program designed and modeled after the elite programs of European professional clubs. School of Excellence programs have existed in many top programs in Europe for the past 30 years. Players like David Beckham (formerly of LA Galaxy), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Chelsea) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) began their careers as soccer-crazed eight year olds. As a direct result of the consistent training that they received through such schools, now they are regarded as the world’s elite players. The program will introduce players to the competitive game as well as its systems and positional play. It will improve their creativity and technical skills, expand their awareness about the game in different cultures, and set new standards and goals. |
| TRAVEL/COMPETITIVE | The Competitive program runs from U10-U19 boys and girls. There is a Rush Team (first team), Nero Team (second team) and an Azul Team (third team) in each age group. Whichever the case, players have made a decision to play competitive soccer and are placed based upon their passion, commitment and ability. The Competitive program exists to allow any player, irrespective of ability, the opportunity to take their game to the height of their potential. Players play with other players of like-ability with various levels of commitment throughout. The higher the level, the greater the commitment. The Rush believe in striving for excellence and as players progress, they are constantly put in new situations to provide a greater challenge if indeed that is what the player desires. For our top players their goals include playing on the Rush team, ODP state teams, regional teams, national teams, college teams, professional teams, etc. For our club, we want to push our players to "the next level". This "next level" may be different for every player. |
| RUSH SELECT | The Rush Select teams are formed by scouting top Rush players. The program forms ‘all star’ teams that participate in various domestic and international events each year. The Rush Select program is like a national team program only better. Players and coaches from Rush clubs around the country hardly know each other’s names at the beginning of each event but by the time everyone departs, life-long bonds will have been forged and a new level of play will have been discovered. Players return to their home Rush clubs with a new understanding of the Rush Way, the Rush Core Values, and an understanding of exactly what it means to be a part of the largest youth soccer organization in the world. |