Developmental

The Foundations Soccer program aims at equipping players ages 5-9 with a sporting experience that emphasizes physical literacy, as well as the necessary football/soccer sport-specific skills required to flourish both individually and in a team setting when they transition to 7v7–11v11 play at ages 9 and beyond. Contemporary trends in youth sport training have urged educators to focus on physical literacy—defined as, the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life – because many of today's youth are not experiencing a wide range of movement based activities, which is putting them at risk for injury, burn out, and diminished performance in a one-sport setting. We believe at Gotham Girls that a long-term development approach to sport is the most child friendly and optimal way to achieve sporting excellence and long-term life enjoyment in physical activity, and that these two goals can be compatible.

For our youngest learners we are offering a 10-month program that ensures that your child acquires the motivation, confidence, physical soccer skills, knowledge and understanding that is necessary to excel both on and off the field.

You may register for the full-year 10-month program and choose to attend once, or twice a week. We encourage maximizing your daughter’s training time, but understand players often have multiple commitments at this age.

We also offer registration by season (Fall/Winter/Spring), either once or twice a week.

Players may choose what day to attend (ie, 2x week players in the Fall may choose two sessions, either Mon/Tues/Fri). Practice days will change between seasons. Fall sessions will be Mon/Tues/Fri, Winter will be Sun/Wed, Spring will be Wed/Fri.

Training options for 2023-24 are:

Fall (5-6)
Monday, 5;30-7pm, Pier 40 Rooftop Field
Tuesday, 4-5;30pm, Pier 40 Indoor Field
Friday, 5:30-7pm, Pier 40 Courtyard West

Fall (7-9)
Monday, 5:30-7pm, Pier 40 Rooftop Field
Friday, 5:30-7pm, Pier 40 Courtyard West

Winter (5-6)
Sunday, 1:00-2:30pm, PS 276 Gym
Wednesday, 4-5:30pm, Pier 40 Indoor Field

Winter (7–9)
Sunday, 1:00-2:30pm, PS 276 Gym
Wednesday, 4-5:30pm, Pier 40 Indoor Field

Spring (5-6)
Wednesday, 4-5:30pm, Pier 40 Indoor Field
Friday, 5:30-7pm, Pier 40 Rooftop Field

Spring (7–9)
Wednesday, 4-5:30pm, Pier 40 Indoor Field
Friday, 5:30-7pm, Pier 40 Rooftop Field

For those families that need special accommodations in terms of scheduling frequency you can speak with coach Vince directly.

Because our approach emphasizes physical literacy, not just sport specific skills, it is important that our coaches have sufficient time with your child to build a strong athletic skills foundation as well as the understanding and knowledge of how to move in a sporting context. We know that it is a big commitment, but research has shown that a balanced, professional, and well-theorized approach to youth sport development is essential in ensuring that our youngest members have the confidence, skills, and social/emotional intelligence to navigate the demands and joys of youth sport.