To learn more about our Academy program click on the link below:

2023/2024 ACADEMY EVALUATIONS AND PLAYER PLACEMENT

Academy players are players born in years 2014-2016. Academy player evaluations and placement for the 2023/2024 season will occur in May. Additional evaluations are offered throughout the summer for players who miss the traditional evaluation window. We offer multiple teams in all age groups to fit a variety of developmental pathways. Evaluations are open to current players, new players, and players from other clubs. Register for 2023/204 season player evaluations by clicking HERE . There is no cost to register. You can learn more about the Academy program at https://www.sportingarkansas.com/academy.

PLEASE NOTE: Sporting Arkansas is currently in the process of moving our registration platform to PlayMetrics. In order to complete this evaluation registration, you will first need to create a PlayMetrics account AND add all players to the account in order to view available registrations. 

DO RETURNING PLAYERS NEED TO ATTEND EVALUATIONS?

Yes, all current Sporting Arkansas players need to register for and attend at least one evaluation date.

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR AN EVALUATION DATE?

Players born in years 2005-2013 can register for Classic player evaluation and placement HERE . Players born in years 2014-2016 can register for Academy player evaluation and placement HERE . Players are strongly encouraged to pre-register for two reasons. First, it helps facilitate an easier check-in on the first day of your tryout and ensures we have the correct contact information to contact you once team decisions are made. Secondly, it helps the coaching and evaluating staff to more properly prepare their sessions. If you are unable to register online, walk-up registrations are allowed. Anyone that registers at the field must have a parent or legal guardian present to complete all registration forms.

PLEASE NOTE: Sporting Arkansas is currently in the process of moving our registration platform to PlayMetrics. In order to complete this evaluation registration, you will first need to create a PlayMetrics account AND add all players to the account in order to view available registrations. 

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

All players should bring their soccer cleats, shin guards, a water bottle, an appropriately sized soccer ball and weather-appropriate training clothes. Please be sure to print, sign and bring your medical release/liability waiver with you to the first session. Please plan to arrive early to your first session so we can ensure we have all the appropriate paperwork and forms.

WHAT DO COACHES LOOK FOR DURING EVALUATIONS?

All players will be evaluated based on technical, tactical, and physical soccer skills and abilities. Coaches are looking for players who exhibit a strong work ethic and who display a respect for the game, coaches, and fellow players.

DO I NEED TO ATTEND ALL EVALUATION DATES?

The more sessions you attend, the greater the opportunity you have to exhibit your skills to the head coach and the staff of evaluators. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you attend each of the sessions in your age group. If there is a major and unavoidable conflict with the dates and times of your age group sessions, please contact the registrar or the team head coach at your age group. In some circumstances, a supplemental session may be scheduled. It is imperative that even if you are planning to miss a session or sessions, you still register online. When you are attending the second night of tryouts, please make sure that your player number is the same as on all previous nights.

HOW WILL TEAMS BE FORMED?

Teams will be formed based on ability and number of players trying out. The player pool will be evaluated and teams formed based on ability to compete within club leagues and pathways. 

HOW MANY TEAMS WILL BE FORMED FOR EACH AGE GROUP?

When possible, there will be more than one team per age group for both boys and girls teams. Team formation will depend on a number of factors including the number of players at tryouts and their skill level. We want to make sure we are able to give all players a great pathway to achieve their developmental goals and will make teams based on whether we feel we can fulfill that goal with developmentally appropriate teams for the players.

CAN I PLAY FOR A TEAM OLDER THAN MY BIRTH YEAR?

You must attend at least the first night of tryouts with your proper birth year age group. After you compete the first night of tryouts, you may attend a tryout for a team one year older with prior approval from the Director of Coaching. Teams will be determined by ability and development potential. There is no guarantee that a position will be offered on an older team.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TRYOUTS?

Staff will work on team selection and formation. Within ten days of the last day of tryouts, you will receive a contact/email with one of the following:

• An offer for placement on a team
• An explanation of where we are in the process and the timeline for team finalization
• An email that we are unable to offer your player placement on a team

The email will explain the next steps needed to accept and confirm an offered position. If for some reason you have not received an email within ten days from the last tryout date, please email operations@sportingarkansas.com.

Please ensure we have your correct contact information, including phone number and email.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST IF I MAKE A TEAM? 

A broken down list of fees is published on the parent corner page (PLEASE NOTE: These could change slightly for the 2023/2024 season) of the website. Sporting Arkansas will work with you in a variety of ways to help make the registration process and fee payments affordable to you.

IS THERE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

Yes! Details are available on the parent corner page of the website. Scholarships apply to the club fee portion of registration only. Each player is required to pay for the team fees and personal and family expenses.

HOW MUCH TIME COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED?

Classic players usually train two to three times each week and have games on the weekends. Games are played locally and regionally, with occasional out-of-state and overnight travel required. Tournament games generally require overnight hotel stays with multiple games that weekend due to distance traveled. Most teams participate in two tournaments in each the fall and spring season.

Academy players train twice each week and have competition on the weekends, but travel is minimal and local. Some out-of-state travel may be required on a team by team basis.

Once season training begins, all Sporting Arkansas players are required to wear the club training kit to all training sessions. Training kits consist of the yellow training top, navy shorts, and navy socks. All players are given one training jersey at no cost at the beginning of a uniform cycle. New and returning players can purchase additional training tops for $15 at the beginning of the season.

Sporting Arkansas uses kits for a two-year cycle period. The 2023/2024 season will be the start of the next cycle. The New Kit information will be released soon.