LITTLE VIKINGS
Little Vikings is the earliest introduction to soccer on the Gjøa Pathway.
With each weekly practice, the Little Vikings develop a love for the game through fun and engaging activities, while establishing fundamental skills that young players need to begin their soccer journey.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Whether on a path to travel soccer or refining their game for success in recreational leagues, the Youth Development Program (YDP) offers girls and boys professional instruction to improve their soccer skills. Licensed Gjøa coaches teach a weekly class focused on ball mastery, technical skills, and game understanding in a fun and supportive environment.
TRAVEL SOCCER
The Gjøa Travel Soccer program is for players seeking more of a commitment to the game, with team-based soccer and a higher level of competition. Travel players may also be on a path to play in high school, college, and beyond. Participation is by invitation via a tryout.
Teams play games and practice from August to June with professionally licensed coaches.
KEEPER TRAINING
Within our Travel Soccer program, Gjøa offers goalkeeper training with our dedicated Goalkeeper Coach. Many clubs overlook this role, but we see it as crucial to player development and offer it at no additional cost. The GK Coach runs weekly practices for all ages and creates Individual Development Plans for each player. He analyzes goalkeepers during weekend games and is in regular contact with all team coaches about their keeper’s progress. The dividends are clear - three of our keepers have made Eastern New York ODP rosters in 2019/20!
MLS PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES
Gjøa Travel Soccer players that demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment are encouraged to reach for the next level. Gjøa has relationships with both NYCFC and New York Red Bulls, and many of our players have had trials at both clubs. Some have successfully gone on to play in their academies. Making it into an MLS academy is difficult and it requires that players and their families be very dedicated to their soccer development. As a non-profit program that puts the interests of our young people first, it's part of the Gjøa mission to provide encouragement and guidance to our best players and to help them move on to the next stop on their soccer journey.
COLLEGE SOCCER
Hundreds of Gjøa players have graduated from youth soccer and moved up to college play. Recent alumni are currently playing DI, DII, and DIII. Gjøa supports players who aspire to play in college by:
- Holding an annual College Information Meeting where a panel of
college coaches and players give an overview of the recruitment
process and answer questions
- Supporting and guiding players through the recruitment process
(although the process must be player-led)
- Providing references and being available for communication
with college coaches
