Why attend the U23 & U19 Pumas College Prep Program?

·         Student-athletes attend full-time class at the local community college and participate in mandatory study hall operated by the academy staff.

·         Student-athletes will get between 50 and 80 games in three semesters.

·         Student-athletes will advance to a strong college or professional soccer program.

What type of competition does the Soccer Academy play?

·         United Soccer Leagues (USL) U23 Premier Development League (PDL)

·         US Open Cup

·         Gold Coast Soccer League, Premier Division (quality senior league)

·         Caribbean American Soccer Association (quality senior league)

·         Top Youth Clubs in Florida

·         U19 College Showcase Tournaments

·         NCAA and NAIA Programs

·         Professional Teams

What type of soccer training does the program provide?

The team is encouraged to play an attractive, attacking style of soccer with a disciplined defense. Our approach is to conduct practice like a professional apprenticeship team in Europe . Training will consist of coordination/technical training, individual/team tactics and physical fitness. Soccer is a thinking game, therefore we put great emphasis on developing vision, reading the game, quick decision-making, movement off the ball, communication and mental toughness. The Academy has a weight training program that is designed for the needs of a soccer player.

·         Increasing Grade Point Average At Community College Level

·         Building Player Confidence

·         Improving Individual Coordination, Techniques And Tactics

·         Teaching Positional Impact In Team Play

·         Better Knowledge Of The Game

·         Developing The Players Decision-Making Process

·         Stressing Physical Fitness And Mental Toughness

Who is the Director of Coaching?

Bobby Lennon, 42, is a former professional coach and player. Lennon played in the Unites States, England, and . Bobby was born in Northern Virginia where he captained his youth team to the National Championship. Lennon was the co-founder of the A-League, Richmond Kickers Pro Soccer Club. Lennon served as General Manager, Head Coach and Assistant Coach. The Richmond Kickers were the first club to ever win “the double”, winning the league championship and the US Open Cup. The Club also won the USISL Organization of the Year Award. Bobby spent 16 years with the late Dennis Viollet as a player and assistant coach. Viollet is a legend of Manchester United who still holds the scoring record for most goals in one season. Dennis was a pro coach in the North America Soccer League (NASL).

What programs have Bobby Lennon’s players advanced to?

Professional Clubs in Germany, England, Denmark, Honduras; MLS: D.C. United, NY/NJ MetroStars, Dallas Burn, New England Revolution, Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, Los Angles Galaxy, Miami Fusion; USL A-League: Rochester Rhinos, Charleston Battery, Hampton Roads Mariners, Raleigh Flyers, Jacksonville Cyclones; Universities/Colleges: Virginia, Duke, NC State, SMU, Naval Academy, UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Tufts, Williams, Drexel, George Mason, James Madison,Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth, American, Davidson, College of Charleston, Campbell, Appalachian State, East Carolina, Elon, NC Wesleyan, Virginia Military Institute, Washington & Lee, Randolph-Macon, Longwood, Hampden- Sydney, Christopher Newport, Georgia Southern, Jacksonville, FIU, South Florida, Flagler, Palm Beach Atlantic and more…

What programs are interested in our current 2006-07 student-athletes?

Coaches from the following programs are interested in our current players:

Wrexham Football Club (English Football League, Division 2), George Washington, American University, George Mason, Florida Atlantic University, Stetson, NC State, Coastal Carolina, Central Conn., St. Thomas U, St.Leo University , University of West Florida, University of North Florida.

What is the Pumas and Wrexham FC (English Football League, Division 2) unofficial exchange program?

The Pumas are sending current student-athletes to train and go to university in Wrexham for the 2006-07 calendar school year.  This program does not hurt NCAA eligibility.  There is a possibility of the student-athlete signing a professional contract if both parties are interested.

When does the Academy operate from the College Prep Program?

Fall Semester:

August 9, 2006     Move into housing

August 10, 2006   Pre-Season

August 23, 2006   Academic Classes Begin at local community college.

Spring Semester:

January 3, 2007    Classes Begin

May 4, 2007          Final Exams

Summer Semester:

May 11, 2007        Classes Begin

May 6, 2007          U23 PDL season begins

August 5, 2007     Final Exams

August 9, 2007     U23 PDL National Championship

Where do the student-athletes attend full-time college?

Student-Athletes are encouraged to register and attend Palm Beach Community College (PBCC). The Palm Beach Pumas Soccer Academy and PBCC do not have a partnership.  If the student-athlete chooses to become a member of the soccer academy then attending the community college is his best financial choice. There are other options to satisfy the needs of individuals such as technical schools or local universities.

How does the Academy’s staff assist with the student-athletes academic needs?

The Academy will have a study hall supervisor that helps create a disciplined study environment and he will assist student-athletes with their academic needs. This will include but won’t be limited to organizing study hall and tutoring; communicating with the student-athlete’s college professors and parents; helping student-athletes set short and long term academic goals; monitoring the overall success of the student-athlete’s academics.

Will credits transfer from a Florida Community College to other colleges/universities around the country?

The student-athlete will submit a list of 5 colleges/universities he will attempt to attend after one or two years in the Academy. The student-athlete, academy academic supervisor and college guidance counselor will meet to determine what courses must be completed to transfer to out of state colleges and universities.

            How many credits are the student-athletes required to take?

In order to play NCAA soccer in the 2007 season then the student-athlete must complete a minimum of 24 credits in 2006-07. The students are discouraged to take more than 12 credits hours per fall and spring semesters because of the heavy soccer schedule. The community college will not allow students to take more than 6 credit hours during the summer 6-week short term. Student-athletes can transfer from community college with 30 credit hours if they attend the summer semester.

            Should the student-athlete make a college visit to Palm Beach ?

There will be a try-out for the U23 & U19 Academy the weekends of, February 4-5, March18-19, and April 8-9, 2006. The weekend will include a college tour, a meeting with a college academic advisor, training, games, afternoon on the beach, evening on

            Where do the student-athletes live?

The student-athletes live in the Emerald Vista Apartments located two blocks from the community college. There will be 4 student-athletes per two bedroom apartments. The student-athlete will tour the housing on their weekend visit.

            Does the Academy have a food service program?

The student-athletes will eat and prepare their own meals in their apartments. The Academy will help the student-athletes shop for well-balanced food that benefits the needs of soccer players.

            Can the student-athlete bring his car?

            Yes, we recommend that the student does bring a car but it is optional.

            Is there a deadline to make a commitment to the program?

            It will be “first come, first serve” for quality players.

            How does a student-athlete commit to the program?

The student-athlete and his parents will sign a contract and mail it to the program’s management with a non-refundable deposit of $1,000.

Schedule 2006-07

            Date                Tournament

            FALL 2006

August 10-19    Pre-Season

            August 21-22    Pre-Season NCAA & NAIA College Games

            Labor Day        Labor Day Tournament

            Weekend

            September 6-    Selected Youth Clubs in the Florida , Senior League

            October 1        

            Thanksgiving     (U19 College Showcase)

            Weekend

            Dec. 13-15        CASL Shootout in Raleigh, North Carolina (U19 College Showcase)

            Dec. 27- 30       College Showcase Tournament

            December         Gold Coast Soccer League, Premier Division

                                      Caribbean American Soccer League

            SPRING 2007

            January – April    College and Pro Games (see Team List)

            SUMMER 2007

May-Aug          Summer Term-Additional Cost for PDL, Youth Tournaments, P/T Classes, Room and Board.

May-July          United Soccer Leagues (USL), Premier Development League (PDL): Cocoa Expos, Bradenton Academics, Central Florida Kraze, Ajax Orlando, Richmond Kickers (Future), Williamsburg Legends, Carolina Dynamo, NC CASL Elite.

May-October    US Open Cup- Tournament between: Major League Soccer (MLS), USL A – League, USL Select Pro League, USL PDL and USASA (Men’s Amateur Teams).

College or Professional programs the academy has competed against or will compete against in 2006-2007.

·         St. Johns University

·         NC State University

·         Under 17 National Team

·         Florida Atlantic College

·         University of South Florida

·         Florida International University

·         University of Tampa

·         Lynn University

·         St. Leo College

·         Barry University

·         Webber College

·         St. Thomas University

·         Flagler College

·         Palm Beach Atlantic

·         Jacksonville University

·         Stetson University

·         Northwood University

·         University of Central Florida

·         Emory-Riddle

·         Rollins College

·         Atlanta Silverbacks (A-League)

·         MLS Teams in Florida for Spring Training

·         International Games(Professional)

USL Premier Development League.

·         59 team national Under 23 League

·        PDL Southeast Division

1.      Palm Beach Pumas

2.      Ajax Orlando

3.      Cocoa Expo

4.      Bradenton Academics

5.      Central Florida Kraze

·        Cross Division Games with Mid-Atlantic Division

1.      Atlanta Silverbacks

2.      Augusta Fireball

3.      Raleigh CASL Elite

          The Best Senior League in South Florida

          Lauderhill Lions (Jamaican), 5 Star (Central American),

          (South American) and several teams of former professionals.

U19 & U23 College Prep Program

College Student-Athlete Expenses 2006-2007

             $5,400  24 credits (tuition prices are subject to change at anytime)

            Tuition at Community College (In-state Tuition)

             $1500   24 credits (tuition prices are subject to change at anytime)

             Rent at Emerald Vista Apartments

             $2,700  9 months

             Soccer Expenses (August 10 – April 30)

             $4,500 (August 10 – April 30)

Florida Youth Soccer League, Senior Leagues, Tournament Fees, Transportation/Gas, Transportation Maintenance, Hotels, Field Rentals, Referees, Uniforms and Equipment, Coaching, Academic Supervisor, Management Fees, Travel Per Diem.

Total

$12,600 Out of State Tuition

$8,700   In State Tuition

Additional - Meal Plan $30 per week-The coaches teach players proper soccer nutrition and how to shop as an aparmtent to save money.

NOTE: A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due upon signing of contract.

             Optional Summer Term Additional Cost.