The NUU Development Academy provides year-round training and competition through its Fall and Spring seasons, with additional optional opportunities throughout the year, including tournaments, extra training sessions, and winter league play.

Designed for players who want to grow, compete, and stay connected to a true club pathway, the Academy keeps families local—removing the burden of extensive travel while maintaining a high-quality development environment.

Annual development experiences: Each player is guaranteed 70-120 development experiences per year (see Development Experiences section for details) depending on how eager the families are to  do more, it could reach above 120.

Our model is built on development, enjoyment, opportunity, and community. Rather than focusing on short-term results, we prioritize long-term player growth within a connected club system. Players progress at their own pace with guidance from Directors and coaches who understand their individual pathway.

Players are always encouraged to compete and play to win, but at this stage of development, winning is not the primary focus.

Gaming League: All Academy players compete in the Northern Utah Development League.

Team Training: Players are placed on teams with players that live in their area. These “local” teams train and compete together during the Fall and Spring seasons.

Academy Training: In addition to team training, the Academy provides structured Summer and Winter training blocks where players are grouped across all Academy teams based on ability and maturity. This allows the coaching staff to tailor the level of intensity appropriately for each group of players. These sessions bring together multiple Academy coaches and Directors to deliver the NUU curriculum consistently, ensuring high-level development and giving players exposure to a variety of coaches and trainers throughout the year.

Player Movement: As players improve, additional opportunities open through advanced training groups and higher-level environments for those showing accelerated development. Players are not limited to their birth year, as the Academy’s top priority is the individual player.

Clear Pathway: Every Academy player has a clear pathway. Regardless of team or coach, players are supported, evaluated, and placed in the right environment to maximize confidence, enjoyment, and long-term development.

There is no race to State-level soccerwhen players can develop right here in their own community. At U9, advanced players—and at times entire teams—may be invited to play up when appropriate for their development. More commonly, beginning at U10, players progress into either a local competition team or a state competition team based on their development, readiness, and commitment. Families are not expected to drive past dozens of other teams in search of quality opportunities—everything they need is available within the club pathway.

Academy players compete in the Northern Utah Development League, a player-centered environment designed to provide consistent training, meaningful competition, and long-term development throughout the year.

Players are expected to commit to two primary seasons each year: Fall and Spring. These seasons provide continuity for team development, coaching consistency, and player growth. During the Fall season, players train and compete together in a structured team environment.

For families seeking additional opportunities, an optional Winter season will also be available for those who want to continue playing games year-round.

What NUU Academy Players Commit To

All Academy players commit to participating in:

Pre-Season & Fall Season
August 17-October 20
Minimum of 8 games

Spring Season
March 15-May 15th
Minimum of 8 games

All Academy players will be offered the opportunity to commit to participating in:

Winter Season (optional)
November-March
Minimum of 10 games

Tournaments (optional)
Cache Valley Cup July 8-11
Additional Summer & Winter Tournemants TBD

Coaches & Teams

• U8 Boys (2nd Grade)
• U9 Boys (3rd Grade)
• U8 Girls (2nd Grade)
• U9 Girls (3rd Grade)Our goal is to establish teams across the following areas. There are no additional team fees, as club dues cover participation for younger teams. The only additional costs would be if your player decides to participate in additional training, tournaments or leagues.

Preston: Preston, Idaho
Upper North: Richmond/Lewiston
North: Smithfield/Hyde Park
North Central: North Logan
Central: Logan
South Central: Providence/Nibley/Millville
Southeast: Hyrum/Paradise
Southwest: Wellsville/Mendon
Benson: Benson
Brigham City: Brigham City/Perry
Tremonton: Tremonton/Garland/Riverside

If you know of a coach or group interested in starting a team in your area, please email our Development Academy Director, Nicole Hale at nuu.nicolehale@gmail.com

Families are busy, and we understand it’s not always possible to attend every event. That’s why we create plenty of opportunities—so players always have chances to participate and grow.

We also recognize that every player and family has different needs at this age. Soccer should be enjoyable, challenging, and manageable. Players are not penalized on game days for missing training.

If you want to do everything—great. If you want more, players are welcome to train with additional academy groups at no extra cost. We are a family, and we support flexibility so each household can choose what works best for them.

Once a season commitment is made, we do ask that games remain a priority. Beyond that, we encourage families to find the balance that fits their schedule.

Most importantly, more time on the ball leads to improvement. For players who want extra work at home, check out our additional training resources.

Rise to Royalty Train at Home Program

The following soccer experiences provide players with 70–120 opportunities each year to train, compete, and enjoy the game:

• Team Trainings
• Summer 5v5 Pick-Up Soccer Games
• League Matches
• Club Academy Training

The following opportunities are optional and available at an additional cost:

• Tournaments
• Winter Indoor Soccer
• Futsal League
• Camps

Off the field, the #NUUsoccerFAMILY also comes together through an annual Family Night, BBQs at 5v5 pickup games, an awards gala and dance, team parties, and other community events.

NUUsoccer.com/fees  

NUU Development Academy (DA) players and teams do not collect additional money beyond the annual club fees. Those fees are used to provide the full Development Academy experience while helping support coaches through equipment, coaching education and licensing requirements, and/or compensation for their time, commitment, and dedication to the players.

Being that we are playing in a development league, all U8 & U9 games are played 5 vs 5 (4 + Goalkeeper).

“Player-Centered” isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a priority.
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Belgium Leads the World in Player Development.
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Examples of countries using (or emphasizing) 5v5-style formats
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The following strategies combined with the Constraints Based Approach (CBA) can help our coaches, players and families better understand why player movement throughout the club is vital during their non-linear development process.

Player evaluation and placement are vital to one’s enjoyment and development.

Bio-Banding reduces, if not removes entirely, the limitations caused by placing players based on birth days/years. It encourages coaches to focus on each individuals needs, it steers everyone’s value towards the individual and away from the team success that can keep us from recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of each player.

Individual Vertical Integration (IVI) keeps us focused on the needs of the player by recognizing the correct  learning environment for every player even when their needs or demands change. Examples of these learning environments could be teams, pools, training groups based on coaches’ color-coded feedback.

Ecological Dynamics (Affordances) helps to create clarity in the creation and implementation of a CBA lesson plan while creating game-like situations that players have the autonomy and freedom to solve with minimal coaching. Adding affordances as a focal point will create clarity  for the coach to the player due to the thought process required to create/coach such activities.

More info/details at nuusoccer.com/how-we-learn