Grassroots Program (U4-U8)
Edmonton Drillers Youth Soccer Club is very excited to offer our Grassroots Program for Under 4 through Under 8 aged players for the upcoming Outdoor 2024 season!
Registration form and program details can be found below near the bottom of the webpage!
Grassroots Outdoor 2024 (late April-early July)
Tentative start date - Monday, April 22 (U5-U8 only)
Tentative end date - Saturday, July 13
Detailed program information for each age group can be found at the bottom of the page!
U4 Grassroots - $185
U5/U6 Grassroots - $395
U7/U8 Grassroots (EMSA Games) - $515
Scroll down for registration links.
All new players receive training shirts, shorts, socks and drawstring bag! Returning players from the Indoor 2023/24 season can receive new sizes via our Google Form submission (sent after registration)
Grassroots Contacts:
Grassroots Coordinator: Madeline Smith-Ackerl, grassrootscoordinator@edmdrillers.com
Grassroots Registration, Sarah (Admin/Registrar) administrator@edmdrillers.com
Coaches
Grassroots Coordinator creates the seasonal program plan, is the lead coach and coordinates and mentors assistant coaches
Parent coaches (Drillers Grassroots is active in recruiting / mentoring parent coaches) are essential part of assisting in the program’s success. The number of players who can be accepted into the program is contingent on amount of coaches, as we prioritize for a high quality program.
On the online registration form links below, parents who indicate they are interested & available to assist with coaching are eligible for a discount or waiver on fees pending amount of time they can commit.
You will be contacted by our Grassroots Coordinator in late March for information on our initial parent meeting taking place in early April, along with future scheduling.
For any registration inquiries (after registration opens), please contact our Club Administrator Sarah.
The Grassroots Program is based on Canada Soccer’s Long Term Player Development Model, specifically focusing on “Active Start” and “Fundamentals” pathways!
Please click the link to our Values & Vision document to learn more about our club philosophy!
The "Nuts and Bolts" of Drillers’ Grassroots Program
Drillers Grassroots Director leads the program, while being assisted by volunteer parent coaches, permanent assistant coaches, older Drillers players (U15 to Adult) and Drillers technical staff members.
The number of players who can be accepted into the program is contingent on the amount of coaches, as we prioritize a high quality program.
The U7/U8 program brings a point in player development that allows for certain teams to compete in regular gameplay against other clubs (U5/U6s compete in 3-4 “jamboree” gamedays against other clubs during the season). Based on the number of U7/U8 players we have registered, will help us determine how many teams can be formed for players to play at their appropriate skill level respectively.
Based on the number of players registered, we will determine players to play games in EMSA league play and players who may further develop with practices without EMSA league game play.
Program Overview
A fun environment to encourage future participation
Development of basic fundamental movement skills
Maximize time with a soccer ball, learning and working on ball mastery (the ability to manipulate and control the ball with both feet using a variety of techniques relevant to the game)
Introduce basic soccer technical skills (passing, dribbling, running with the ball)
Focus on engagement through games / activities;
In the Outdoor 2024 season, along with our 4-5 permanent Grassroots Assistant coaches, we also have a rotational schedule in which our U15 to Adult (Men & Women) teams have player coaches assisting in for our Grassroots sessions, including Jamborees.
We believe this to be an important element of the program, tying together our club from youngest to oldest ages. This is demonstrated through our senior players getting the opportunity to give back to the club as positive mentors to our up and coming Grassroots players, while also giving them introductory coaching experiences, creating the culture that makes one proud to be a DRILLER!
Under-4 Program
For boys and girls born in 2020 and 2021
Practice sessions delivered in an station Academy / Festival format
THIS IS A PARENTED PROGRAM - where parents or guardians take part in the program with the child. All players require the active participation of an adult to take part.
1 practice session per week: Sessions will likely be Saturday mornings 10:15am-11:00am @ Elmwood Fields (16325 83 Ave NW).
Fees: $185
You will be contacted by our Grassroots Coordinator in late March for information on our initial parent meeting taking place in early April, along with future scheduling.
Under-5/Under-6 Program
For boys and girls born in 2018 and 2019
Practice sessions delivered in an station Academy / Festival format
Parent coaches are an important component and utilized to complement Drillers Technical Staff and Assistant Coaches, as each group / station requires a parent coaches who are assisted by Drillers coaches.
Approx. 3 jamboree gameday Saturdays with other clubs
2 practice sessions per week at Elmwood Fields (16325 83 Ave NW):
Saturdays | 8:15 - 9:15 am
Mondays | 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Fees: $395
Registration Links:
GIRLSNOTE: On the online registration form, parents who indicate they are interested & available to assist with coaching are eligible for a discount or waiver on fees pending amount of time they can commit.
You will be contacted by our Grassroots Coordinator in late March for information on our initial parent meeting taking place in early April, along with future scheduling.
Under-7/Under-8 Program
For boys and girls born in 2017 and 2016
The Drillers intend to start forming teams at this age group.
Teams will have a mixed training environment; whether it be involved alongside Drillers Grassroots training on Mondays & Saturdays taking part in an station / academy type training AND/OR running one team practice a week.
They will also play in U8 EMSA League Games on (game days are still TBD from EMSA League).
NOTE:
EMSA game days have not yet been finalized by the league. If in the event games are scheduled during grassroots training days, an alternative practice day will be scheduled.
For 2016 (U7) players we hope to have enough players to submit teams into EMSA League play, if we do not have the proper numbers for teams, we will refund $120 to adjust to the $395 (non-league - Grassroots fee)
2 practice training sessions per week at Elmwood Fields (16325 83 Ave NW), pending EMSA game schedule. Please be prepared for potential soccer events three times a week on the odd week depending on the EMSA game schedule.
U7 - Saturdays | 9:15 - 10:15 am
U7 - Mondays | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
U8 - Saturdays | 10:15 - 11:15 am
U8 - Mondays | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Fees: $515
Registration Links:
2017 (U7) GIRLS - FULL
2017 (U7) BOYS - FULL
2016 (U8) GIRLS - FULL
2016 (U8) BOYS - FULL
NOTE: On the online registration form, parents who indicate they are interested & available to assist with coaching are eligible for a discount or waiver on fees pending amount of time they can commit.
You will be contacted by our Grassroots Coordinator in late March for information on our initial parent meeting taking place in early April, along with future scheduling.