What is the West Hempstead Chiefs Travel Academy?

The Academy is for players born between August  1, 2001 and July 31, 2004 and will provide training to any
player regardless of skill who wants to pursue a competitive career in soccer.  Skilled or unskilled players at the
age of 8 are not the same players at the age of 12.  We do not want to close the door on soccer for the unskilled
player or semi interested player at such a young age because the player’s most important body part, the mind, is
still developing.   The Academy provides the opportunity for a player to develop at his/her own pace.  Players
will train together with professional trainers and competition will be provided that is suited to their individual
skill levels.  The Academy format allows a less skillful player who wants to make a larger commitment to soccer
the opportunity to grow and develop alongside other talented players and play competitively at a level that will
best benefit him/her.  It also provides the highly skilled player the opportunity to play competitively with
teammates well suited to his/her ability level.  Because ability levels continuously change at this young age,
team placement will not be permanent but will change as a player’s ability level changes.