The Pre-Academy focuses on foundational skill development and flexibility in team assignments for younger players, while the Academy program targets advanced skill enhancement with stable team structures for older, more competitive players. 

Yes, Academy teams compete at higher levels, often in national tournaments, both programs focus on preparing players for varsity and collegiate opportunities.

At the 12U level, we prioritize developmental diversity and flexibility over fixed competitive structures. Our Pre-Academy pool system allows us to better meet the varied developmental needs of younger players, ensuring that each child receives the right level of challenge and support as they grow. This is not in replacement of competitive competition, just a different approach popularized by many prominent clubs. 

Academy players commit to a rigorous training schedule, frequent competitions, and are expected to maintain high performance and team cohesion. Practice and tournament attendance is a determining factor in team selection. 

The Pre-Academy focuses on foundational skill development and flexibility in team assignments for younger players, while the Academy program targets advanced skill enhancement with stable team structures for older, more competitive players. 

At Team ONE, our U12 Pre-Academy program utilizes a dynamic pool system to manage team assignments and tournament participation. This approach offers a flexible framework tailored to the developmental needs of young athletes. Here's how it works:  

- Broad Selection Post-Tryouts: After tryouts, instead of forming a fixed number of teams, we select a larger pool of players, enough to form 2 U12 Teams. This large pool allows us to create balanced teams based on skill, development needs, and strategic fit for upcoming competitions.  

- Tournament Teams Formation: From this pool, we form two tournament teams, Red and Blue. These teams are re-assessed and formed twice a year—once in the fall and once in the summer —to ensure they are optimally composed for the tournaments they will enter.  

- Guaranteed Participation: Every player selected into the pool is guaranteed to participate in all fall and summer tournaments.   

- Flexibility for Contingencies: The pool system provides significant flexibility, allowing us to seamlessly move players between teams as needed or to elevate a player from the Select program to ensure optimal team composition and readiness. This dynamic approach ensures that all teams remain competitive and well-prepared for any challenges they may face during the tournaments.  

- Competitive Cohesion: Given the competitive nature of our age groups, both rosters will mostly attend the same tournaments. This strategy not only fosters team spirit but also maintains competitive standards, providing all players with exposure to high-level competition.  

This pool system provides flexibility, allowing us to adapt team compositions based on ongoing assessments and changing needs throughout the season. It ensures that all players receive the focused training and competition exposure they need to develop effectively, promoting a strong foundation for their future in lacrosse.