Gryphons Team Academy players are organized into age groups based on their birthdate. Depending on the number of players available, there may be one or more teams per age group.
To learn more about how our Team Academy program is structured and for a 2010 season schedule, look here.
An age group is led by an "Age Group Coordinator" or a head coach for all teams in the age group. The Age Group Coordinator oversees the program for the entire age group. This involves working with the coaches in the age group to ensure that each player is developing appropriately. It also involves setting the season schedule for games and tournaments.
Each player is placed into two general team categories based on their skill level and commitment, and then assigned into teams based on the number of players. The two general team categories are:
- Advanced category: Consists of players with a stronger skill base. These teams are developed to be immediately competing at the highest possible level, and typically attend top tier tournaments in California.
- Developmental category: Consists of players who are either new to competitive soccer, or who need time to develop basic skills and prepare to compete at the highest possible level. These teams may also participate in various playdates/tournaments within the Bay Area.
A player can move from a Developmental team to an Advanced team and vice versa within their age group based on the evaluation of the coaching staff and each player's specific needs. After each season, the coaching staff discusses roster changes. This flexibility within the age group allows the development and progression of each player and team at an appropriate pace.
Age Group Chart
The GSC structures its age groups based on the US Club Soccer definitions. Look here for the 2010 US Club Soccer age chart.
| Age Groups | Birthdates | Age Group Coordinator |
|---|---|---|
| U9 | Born 8/1/2001 or younger | Boys: Orhan Muratoglu Girls: Jennifer Smith |
| U10 | Born 8/1/2000 - 7/31/2001 | Boys: Augie Peccei Girls: Matt Zucca |
| U11 | Born 8/1/1999 - 7/31/2000 | Boys: Nick Dye Girls: Ricardo Marta |
| U12 | Born 8/1/1998 - 7/31/1999 | Girls: Ricardo Marta |
Playing up or RAYS for exceptionally skilled players
For exceptionally skilled players, we may recommend that the player play up, that is, play in a higher age group. However, in our experience, it is best that these players play with same-aged players at the highest possible level of competition. For this reason, currently, we have partnered with Redwood Alliance Youth Soccer (RAY Soccer), an alliance of peninsula clubs that gives the most experienced and talented players the opportunity to play with players of equal skills and abilities in their own age group, at the highest possible competitive level. Look here to see how a player could progress to a RAYS team from a Gryphons team.
The following are the 2010 RAYS teams:
- RAYS 00G – Coach Mike Varas (Girls U10)
- RAYS 99G – Coach Andres Deza (Girls U11)
- RAYS 98G – Coach Andres Deza (Girls U12)
- RAYS 97G – Coach Dusko Rosic (Girls U13)
- RAYS 97B – Coach Craig Cowan (Boys U13)
