Classic Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) is changing San Antonio Youth soccer from the ground up by investing in the younger soccer player, those in the U7- U10 age group. CESA younger players receive the same benefits as its top level competitive high school and middle school aged players playing at the Premier and Division I levels-- quality training involving a CE staff of over 20 Licensed trainers, including (5) USSF ‘A’ (4) USSF ‘B’ (5) USSF ‘C’in an age-appropriate training curriculum, and now their own set of REC+ fields with LIGHTS! No one in the San Antonio area can provide all of this for the younger players.
For years San Antonio youth soccer has lagged behind the well developed soccer programs in Austin, Houston and Dallas. Many times in the past, once San Antonio players reached the age where they could play on a U-11 competitive team, they, their trainers and parents were frustrated to see how poorly prepared most San Antonio players looked when playing against Austin, Houston and Dallas players who were products of well-organized, well-trained U10 and younger academy programs. Organized professionally-trained soccer training was not available in San Antonio for the U10 and younger player. No one in San Antonio until the CESA Board of Directors, took the bold step to lead San Antonio youth soccer to its next level by developing and funding the first San Antonio U10 and younger academy program. The U9-U10 program began 4 years ago and last year CESA added the U7 and U8 age levels in its Micro Academy.
The CESA first major investment was in staff. Director of Coaching, Brian Monaghan was recruited to CESA with an impressive resume of results as a veteran Director of Coaching who was responsible for successful youth programs in Austin and Houston. Next was the hiring of Walter Rule, also with an impressive resume of results with high school soccer programs. Both believe in early, age appropriate training for the development of highly skilled, tactically smart competitive players. Recruiting like minded staff followed. Monaghan requires all CESA trainers a minimum USSF National license with annual requirements of continuing education in soccer coaching and education.
Next was the development of additional fields with irrigation systems and permanent lights adjacent to the practice and game fields of the club’s older players. These fields were graded and seeded to be comparable to the older players’ fields.
Funding of the full CESA program is an ongoing process. Parent volunteers work tirelessly creating innovative fund raising programs. Results of recent funding campaigns include not only the REC+ fields but also the paving of the CESA parking lot.
Monaghan has a vision for CESA and youth soccer in San Antonio. He sees thousands of youth players having the opportunity of quality training and development yet still having fun and developing a love of the game for the rest of their lives. And he sees some of those players going on to distinguish themselves at the national level by playing in the US Soccer Development Academy League, Olympic Development Program (ODP)and selection for US national/regional/state teams and many top collegiate programs. It won’t happen overnight, but with time, great trainers, parental support and a top notch program, fields and facilities the vision will become reality.
