Gainesville Academy/select

Gainesville Academy/Select Tryouts


U7/8-U12 Academy and U13-U14 Select:
Monday-Wednesday, May 18-20
U7/8-U12: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
U13-U14: 7:30-9:00 p.m.


U15-U19 Select: 
Tuesday-Thursday, May 26-28
U15-U16: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
U17-U19: 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Location: Gainesville High School
Check-In Prior to Entering Field


Click the links below for additional information:


Team/Coach Projections
Academy/Select Fees
Age Group Information


What to wear and bring:

  • Please do not wear any club-identifying uniforms/apparel (including shirts, shirts or jerseys).
  • Wear cleats and shin guards
  • Bring your ball
  • Lots of water


Team Acceptance

Team acceptance emails will be sent as soon as the rosters are confirmed. Online Acceptance Registration MUST be completed, with payment, within 3 days to ensure a spot on the team.

IMPORTANT 2026 DATES
U7/8-U14 Tryouts: 5/18-5/20
U15-U19 Tryouts: 5/26-5/28
Uniform Fittings: Saturday, June 6th
Select Team Declarations Due: 6/30
Team Camp: 7/27 - 7/31


Tryout registration for Academy and Select will be open by May 1st. If your player would like to be evaluated for the upcoming soccer season with the United Futbol Academy, please log into your account and search under AVAILABLE PROGRAMS for “2026 - 2027 GAINESVILLE Academy/Select Tryout (U8-U19)”. There is no cost to tryout. However, all players must register online. Players will not receive their tryout ID number until they have been registered. There will be no registration at the field. If you need help with registration, please contact gainesville@unitedfa.org for assistance.


Players should attend all sessions for their age group. Players who are unable to attend tryouts should complete this form.

IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND TRYOUTS, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF TEAM PLACEMENT AND NO SPOTS WILL BE RESERVED.


Uniforms: Fitting and Order Information 

This is the first year of a two-year uniform cycle and all new and returning players will be required to purchase the new kit. As a part of our ongoing partnership with Arsenal Football Development, the Arsenal jersey is part of the Annual Uniform Requirement for all teams. The jersey will be available in the Lloyds online uniform catalog beginning with Uniform Fitting dates in June. All UFA players, returning and new, are required to purchase the Arsenal jersey annually. (Please note: Arsenal changes their jersey style every year. That is why it is a required uniform item that needs to be purchased by all players annually.) 


U7/U8 Pre-Academy Players: All players are required to purchase and wear the Pre-Academy Uniform package.

U8-U19 Academy/Select Players: All players are required to purchase and wear the UFA uniform package through our approved vendor.


Players will receive an email from no-reply@mail.teamhubsports.com. (Please be sure to add this in your email contacts so that it does not go to spam.) The upcoming Fall season will be the first year of a two-year uniform cycle. All new and returning players will have to order the complete uniform package in June, at the scheduled fitting listed below. Once your player's uniform order has been placed, there will be NO exchanges. With that in mind, players are strongly encouraged to attend the scheduled uniform fitting. Location of Uniform Fittings subject to change based upon team formation.


At the Uniform Fitting

Players should wear clothes that will allow them to try on the uniforms OVER their clothing.


Uniform Fitting details will be communicated via email.

Gainesville Academy/Select FAQ

  • 1. What is Academy/Select soccer?

    Academy/Select soccer is more competitive than Recreational soccer. The training and coaching is carried out by licensed, professional soccer coaches. Compared to Recreational soccer, Academy/Select soccer requires a greater time and financial commitment from the parents and players. It mainly involves games in and around the metro Atlanta area, but potentially away games and tournaments can be in other parts of Georgia. Some teams attend out of state tournaments.

  • 2. What age groups does Select soccer apply to?

    Select is split into two age groupings. Academy is from U9 to U12. Select is from U13 to U19. Academy game scores are not recorded, whereas Select teams are involved in divisional play with promotion and relegation opportunities.

  • 3. Are the genders split?

    Yes. The teams are split into boys and girls teams.

  • 4. How do I know which age group my son/daughter is in?

    Please refer to the Age Group Calculator and chart for details and FAQs here. Additionally, when you register in PlayMetrics, the system will automatically allocate players to the appropriate age group.

  • 5. Is Academy/Select soccer that different from Recreational soccer?

    Yes. Expectations for the players in Select soccer are much higher. There will be two 1½ hour practices per week, with one or two games per weekend. Higher level teams practice three times per week. In Recreational soccer, players are placed on a team on a first come first served basis, regardless of ability level. Select players are selected at Try Outs on ability.

  • 6. When are Tryouts?

    Tryout dates are posted on this website and are held around the end of May for Academy and in early June for Select.

  • 7. How long is the commitment for?

    Players registered for Academy/Select sign and commit to play for their club for one year. The soccer year is split into two seasons. The Fall season, which runs from August to late November/early December and the Spring season which runs from February to May. If a player leaves their team part way through the calendar year, the full fee must still be paid. The expectation though, is that soccer is the player’s primary sport and the commitment is for the full year.

  • 8. How many teams are there in each age group?

    It varies between age groups, but usually there will be between two to five teams per gender age group.

  • 9. What are the team levels in an age group?

    Age groups are divided up into A, B, C, D and E level teams, with the A level being the top team. At UFA, these levels are given names respectively. Premier, Red, Gold, Black, White and Blue.

  • 10. Can a player move between teams?

    Yes. The coaching staff will make this decision. In the Academy, players can be moved up or down, depending on their ability level, their rate of development and their commitment level. In Select, the structure is slightly more rigid. If the coaches agree, some players may club pass with other age-appropriate teams. Please refer to your league rules for specifics.

  • 11. Apart from regular season games, will the players go to tournaments?

    Yes. Teams are required to do at least one pre season and one post season tournament each season. So with two seasons, this means a minimum of four tournaments per calendar year. Some higher level teams attend more than four tournaments.

  • 12. What is the financial cost of being on an Academy/Select team for a year?

    It varies, depending on age group and team level and the number of tournaments that the team goes to. Please see our Academy/Select Fees here.


    The participation fee covers fields, insurance, practices, professional coaches and referees, during the regular season as well as the mandatory team camp.


    In addition, there is a uniform cost of about $150 or $315. Teams will be given the option to purchase a uniform kit that is apporximately $150 or a higher end kit that is approximately $315. Top teams are also required to purchase warm-up sets. The manufacturers change uniform designs every two years.  


    Notes:

    (1)   U8-U14 will have a payment plan option of 5 or 7 monthly installments.  If you register after October 15th, your number of monthly installments will be reduced so all fees are paid by March 1.

    (2)   U15-U19 Select will have a payment plan option of 3 monthly installments.  If you register after August 2, your number of monthly installments will be reduced so all fees are paid by November 1.

     

    Additional Fees

    Optional Third practice with your own professional coach (one hour): $100 per season   

    Players at all parks may wear either turf shoes or cleats (no metal cleats) for practies and games 

    Tournament fees are shared by all team members, regardless of individual participation

    Typically, with three or four tournaments, the total tournament fees along with coach expenses will come to around $250 per player, per calendar year. This figure does not include any hotel expenses for the player and family, if a hotel was necessary.


    After Tryouts, all Select players are required to attend the August Team Camp. This team camp is three hours per day for five days, and the cost is included in the above participation fees.



  • 13. If my player cannot attend a particular tournament, do we still have to pay?

    Yes. It is club policy that the tournament fees and expenses are divided equally between all rostered players for that team, regardless of whether the player can make the tournament or not.

  • 14. How many players on a team?

    U9 to U10 will play 7v7. Usually, 8-9 rostered players per team.

    U11 and U12 will play 9v9. Usually, 11-12 rostered players per team.

    U13 to U19 will play 11v11. Usually, 15-18 rostered players per team.


  • 15. How much playing time will my son/daughter get?

    The guideline is at least the equivalent of half the game. Playing time will be affected by performance, ability, effort and commitment, both at practice and in games. This is a coaching staff decision.

  • 16. Are players expected to attend every practice and every game?

    Yes. If a player cannot make a practice or a game, the coach must be notified with as much advance notice as possible. Whilst it is expected that a player will be at each practice and game, it is accepted that sickness and special occasions may mean a player misses an occasional practice or game.

  • 17. What nights and times are practices?

    It depends on the age group, coach and field availability. A team will usually either practice on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday.


    U9 to U11 will usually practice from 5pm to 6.30pm.


    U12 to U19 will usually practice from 6.30pm to 8pm.

  • 18. Are there written codes of conduct for players and parents?

    Yes. UFA has written codes of conduct for players and parents.


    Parent Code of Conduct - click here


    Player Code of Conduct - click here

  • 19. Can anyone find out information about our child and their team?

    Child safety is a paramount concern to United Futbol Academy. With that in mind, our policy prohibits staff members from communicating specific information about a child or team to any individual not listed in the child’s registration information. We appreciate your understanding.