FC Alliance welcomes players of all ability levels and offers a variety of programs throughout the year to meet the needs of beginners to premier level players. The club offers three tracks for player development –a volunteer managed Recreational Program, an instructional Academy Program and a Competitive/Travel Program; with the Academy and Competitive programs being led by certified professional soccer coaches/trainers.

Our soccer year begins on August 1 and last until May 31^st the following year. The year consists two seasons, the Fall Season which runs from Aug 1 to Nov 30 and the Spring Season which runs from Feb 1 to May 31^st.

We also offer a variety traditional and specialty training programs for those players looking to advance their skill set and stay active throughout the year. Examples of our traditional and specialty programs include: Summer Camps, Summer League, Total Play, Winter Futsal League, Championship Performance Series (CPS) Training, Goalkeeper and Skills Training.

From a player looking for a recreational program, to the serious player looking for competitive play - FC Alliance has a place for you!

FC Alliance Recreational Program (U4-U12)

In the Fall of 2011, FC Alliance will offer U4 to U12 players the opportunity to play recreational soccer. The FC Alliance Recreational Program will be offered twice a year; Spring and Fall. Each season will be 8 weeks in length and will include two scheduled practices per week with games on Saturdays. All of our recreational teams are coached by parents/volunteers.

The FC Alliance Recreational Program will be primarily devoted to the enjoyment and development of soccer players without the emphasis on travel or high level competition. The purpose of recreational soccer is to provide an opportunity for the participants to have fun, learn the sport and develop life skills including a life-long love of the game.

FC Alliance Academy Program (U4-U19)

The FC Alliance Academy Program is an instructional soccer program designed for U4 to U19 players that are looking for more structure and training than the recreational program provides, without the additional training requirements, cost and travel commitments of a competitive team.

Unlike our recreational soccer program, FC Alliance Academy provides licensed coaches that use a combination of the Coerver® training method which focuses on improving individual skills and control and the West Ham United International Coaching Curriculum to compliment their own coaching methods. By combining these methods, players are able to build self esteem, while developing as creative and skilled soccer players. All age groups in our Academy Program will play in the Pilot Regional Soccer League. This minimizes travel and offers more scheduling flexibility.

Our Academy Program runs for 11 weeks each season. To participate in our Academy program, all players must properly register on-line and pay the assigned program fees prior to the beginning of the season.

FC Alliance is currently holding open registrations for the Alliance Academy program.

Learn More

• Academy Program (U4-U18) Darrick Lubell (865) 599-1568
• Spanish Academy (U5-U12) Claudio Rico (865) 643-7672

FC Alliance Academy Select (U9-U19) – Local Competitive

The FC Alliance Academy Select Program is a local competitive soccer program designed for standout players participating in the Academy Program that have demonstrated a higher level of athleticism and skill. Teams are formed on an invitation only basis. This means that players are either invited or “selected” to play on a team by the Director, or win a spot on the team during the annual team placement and evaluation sessions. The purpose of the Select Program is to further challenge those Academy players by providing opportunities to participate in local competitive matches involving teams outside of FC Alliance, while limiting travel within the greater Knoxville area. The Academy Select Program is a 12 week program, offered twice a year; Spring and Fall. Academy Select players receive an additional 30 minutes of practice time per week in addition to regularly scheduled Academy Program practices and games. Practice and game schedules vary by location and age group. In some instances, coaches may opt to offer extended training opportunities or extend the program to accommodate the needs of higher level players and teams.

Select players are encouraged to participate in the FC Alliance Skills Sessions and at no additional cost. The cost to participate in these sessions is included in FC Alliance Club fees. CPS training provided by Johnny Long Training Academy is only available to players participating in the FC Alliance Travel Program.

FC Alliance Travel Program (U9-U19)

When players reach the U9 age group (see Age Matrix), they now have the option to tryout out to participate in our Travel Program. The FC Alliance Travel Program provides a positive environment for players that demonstrate the necessary talent, commitment and good sportsmanship to continue to develop and compete at the state, regional and national level.

Travel teams are formed in the spring of each year through team tryouts known as our “Evaluation and Team Placement Sessions.” Players are accepted to their team for a one year (12-month) commitment to a travel team beginning July 1 to June 30th the following year (with the exception of High School players).

The yearly plan for each team will be determined in July by the head coach of the team and the Directors of Coaching and Technical Directors. Participants are to be made aware that extra costs can be substantial and are ultimately the player or player’s parents’ responsibility. This includes all training costs, registrations, team fees, referee fees, field fees, tournaments, etc.

Our travel program requires additional practice and conditioning, as well as travel to local, regional or out-of-state tournaments, for players and their families. Teams compete at various levels depending upon the competitive needs of the players involved.

Players are expected to participate in all training and seasons during the travel year. This includes summer camp, pre-season fall trainings, the fall season, the winter season, the spring season and the summer season.

• Membership Year July 1 – June 30th
  Fall Training Season Aug 1 – Nov 30
  Spring Training Season Feb 1 – May 31
• High School Players (Girls) Nov 1 – May 31
• High School Players (Boys) Aug 1 – Jan 31

FC Alliance Directors, Coaches and Coaches Board will assign players to a level and then to a team based on age, ability and skill level after the evaluation and team placement sessions. A review of the prior season’s performance, player skill, attitude, performance and potential will also be considered. Selection to a team one year does not guarantee selection in subsequent years and players are expected to continue to develop and earn that distinction each year.

Players will be notified of team placement within two weeks following Evaluation and Team Placement Sessions. Players will be notified of roster postings. Rosters will be posted on www.fcallianceknox.org. The player/parents are required to respond to FC Alliance within two weeks to confirm acceptance of their selection to the team and to register with FC Alliance.

Players not selected for a specific competitive travel team will be considered for placement in either the Academy Select Program or the Academy Program. The Academy Select Program offers a competitive program for higher level players who would like to continue to work on their skills, or for those who cannot or do not wish to commit to the year-round demands of travel soccer.

The schedule for Fall 2011 Evaluation and Team Placement Sessions are listed below. If you are new to town or missed the Evaluation/Team Placement Sessions and are interested in playing with FC Alliance, please contact the age group Director listed below.

U9-U11 Evaluation & Team Placement (2 Sessions)

• Dates: May 31 & June 1 (Rain Date: June 6)
• Times: 5:30-6:30PM Girls, 7:00-8:00PM Boys
• Location: US Cellular Soccer Complex

U12-U14 Evaluation & Team Placement (2 Sessions)

• Dates: June 2 & June 3 (Rain Date: June 8)
• Times: 5:30-6:30 PM Girls, 7:00-8:00PM Boys
• Location: US Cellular Soccer Complex

U15-U18 Evaluation & Team Placement (1 Session)

• Dates: June 7 (Rain Date: June 9)
• Times: 5:30-6:30 PM Girls, 7:00-8:00 PM Boys
• Location: US Cellular Soccer Complex

For More Information – Contact Our Competitive Program Directors

• U8-U10: Darrick Lubell (865) 599-1568
• U11-U12: Filip Leander (865) 659-6071
• U13-U14: Shane Moore (865) 643-2125
• U13-U18: Burak Er (865) 643-4625
• U15-U19: Jon Schneider (865) 643-4004
• Josh Gray (865) 659-6072

Technical Directors

• Claudio Rico: (865) 643-7672
• Russell Stewart: (865) 643-5425
• Robbie Wickham (865) 643-2025

Required Forms

To play for FC Alliance, each player must complete the required forms and submit the information listed below. These forms are available in our Download Center.

1. Permission to Roster
2. Medical Release Form
3. Uniform Order Form
4. Copy of Player Birth Certificate
5. 1"x1" Headshot Photo of Player for Registration Card

To be considered for financial aid, please complete FC Alliance Financial Aid Form that can also be found in our Download Center.