Santa Fe Soccer Academy, aka the Red Wolves, was introduced in 2023 to fill a much-needed gap within our recreation league with a focus on educating and developing soccer players. Just two years later, for the Fall 2025 season we are excited to announce that the High Springs Recreation and Santa Fe Soccer Alliance (Alachua’s Rec), are combining our players, coaches, and facilities to create the best season yet! We have also formed a partnership with the local club Sporting Gainesville, to offer us coaching resources, more game experience and a pathway for the players to play at the highest level! This means we will also be able to offer competitive play this season!

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With all these new developments and relationships to better the Red Wolves Academy, comes a lot of questions. Below is a list of common questions to help give you a better understanding of what you may be invited to join.

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Q: How is this different from recreation?
A: In recreation, we often have teams with players who want to become great players mixed with players who just want to stay active or have fun. This contrast can sometimes hold back the ones who wish to improve their skill and vice versa. Since the Academy is by invitation only this allows us to evaluate players and create teams that are like minded and closely related in skill level. By doing this the coach can challenge the players a bit more for better overall development results.

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Q: How do we join?

A: All participants in the Academy are evaluated at a tryout that takes place prior to each fall and spring season. Players will be evaluated on their ability to perform the very basic soccer fundamentals correctly in a game like setting (inside foot pass, dribble with the ball close at your feet, shoot with laces). Equally important if not more, players will be evaluated on whether they are coachable. Specifically, do they have a good work ethic, good listening skills, and a good attitude with a desire to learn. Following the tryouts, an email with an invitation to register will be sent to the participant's guardian(s).

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Tryout dates for the Fall 2025 Academy Season: August 7th and 8th, 2025 in High Springs. And August 12th, 2025 in Legacy Park Recreation Complex. Visit our Facebook page for more information.

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Q: Is Academy a competitive league?

A: We have a recreation league for those who want to play for fun, and an Academy for those who are ready to grow and develop in their game. The Academy is for soccer development not competition, select, or club soccer. Consider this the in-between level to get your player to the next level. Our Academy will, however, feed into our competitive teams.

 

Q: What can my child expect to learn in the Academy?

A: If your child is invited to the Academy then we know they can perform the fundamentals. We will take those fundamentals and teach them the moments that make up the structure of soccer: Attacking, Losing the ball (transition to defense), Defending, Winning the ball (transition into attacking). This structure as well as the characteristics of the game are the same all over the world and at every level and is essential for the development of all players. Our coaches consist of former professional and college players and experienced coaches who are willing to share their knowledge with your child.

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You can also expect a focus on strength and conditioning with speed and agility training. And most importantly, training a healthy mind with mental conditioning. Training a positive, strong minded and optimistic player will help your child to reach their highest potential.

 

Q: If Academy isn’t competitive, how can my child play competitive in your league?

A: From within the Academy, U10 and up, there will be an A/B team style structure. Coaches will select players to the “A” team to compete in tournaments and other league games to compete against other competitive teams mainly in the North Florida area. This is a new development that we will be working on with our new partner Sporting Gainesville. More information will be available when invitations are extended.

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Q: What age divisions can participate in the Academy?

A: For the fall 2025 season, we intend to offer the following divisions:

U8 - coed;

U10 - boys; U10 - girls;

U12 - boys; U12 - girls;

Middle School - boys; Middle School - girls

These divisions are ultimately dependent on registration numbers and coach availability.

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Q: Where and what days are practices?

A: Practices will be held every Tuesday and Thursday between 6pm and 8pm (times may vary). Academy players from the High Springs Rec will practice in High Springs and Santa Fe Soccer Alliance in Alachua. Practices will last 1.5-2 hours.

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Q: Can my child play both Academy and Recreation?

A: Short answer, yes. Is it encouraged? No, but we can find a way to make it work.

*If your child is invited to play competitive, they will not be permitted to participate in rec soccer.

 

Q: If the focus for Academy isn’t to compete, are there games?

A: Yes! Academy only works if we put all that training to work. For the fall 2025 season, the schedule may change slightly but for the most part, we will have a game every Friday night during the regular season. The season will try to follow the recreation schedule and end at the same time.

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Q: Who do we play against?

A: These games are for development, so they will mostly be small-sided games within the Academy such as 4v4 and 5v5, no goalies. Games will be in High Springs and Alachua. However, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 will also be introduced when we play against Sporting Gainesville Academy and other local academies that have agreed to play us. In other words, it will be a combination of small-sided fast-paced games in house, as well as standard field team games when playing another Academy.