ROANOKE WINTER JUNIOR ACADEMY
Winter Registration Now Open!
Dear Academy Families,
As we launch our 2026 Winter Academy season at Lab Sports Performance, our focus remains on building a true soccer culture for our players and families—one that prioritizes the physical, social, and emotional needs of every athlete.
Our innovative player-centric model represents a fundamental shift in how we approach development. We're balancing technical skill-building with deep game-related understanding, creating an environment where players don't just learn techniques, but truly comprehend the beautiful game. This holistic approach allows our athletes to grow confidently within the sport while developing the critical thinking skills that separate good players from great ones.
What sets this winter season apart is our commitment to nurturing the complete player in a premier indoor facility. Beyond footwork and tactics, we're cultivating leadership, resilience, and teamwork—qualities that extend far beyond the pitch. Every training session, every match, and every moment of growth contributes to building not just better soccer players, but more confident young people.
The winter months provide a unique opportunity for focused development, and I couldn't be more excited to work with this next generation of players at Lab Sports.
Together, we're not just teaching soccer—we're fostering a lasting passion for the game that will inspire our community for years to come.
Simon French
Interim Academy Director
Simon.French@vaunited.org
2026 Winter Academy
We're thrilled to announce our 2026 Winter Academy at Lab Sports Performance! This is a fantastic opportunity for young players to develop their skills, compete in games, and stay active during the winter months in a premier indoor facility. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your game to the next level, our academy offers age-appropriate programming designed to help every player grow.
What to Bring: Please ensure your player comes prepared with a soccer ball, water bottle, and shin guards. All players must wear tennis shoes or indoor soccer shoes—no cleats are allowed at Lab Sports.
All academy players will receive a t-shirt. Academy programming is supervised and run by Simon French.
Facility Information:
Lab Sports Performance
1824 9th Street SE
Roanoke, VA 24013
Program Details & Registration
U6 (Boys & Girls)
Program Length: 5 weeks
Dates: Starting the week of January 12th
Cost: $60
Training Schedule:
- Friday: 6:00–7:00 PM
U8 (Boys & Girls)
Program Length: 5 weeks
Dates: Starting the week of January 12th
Cost: $140 (includes one training session and one game per week)
Training Schedule (players select ONE training night during registration):
- Monday: 6:00–7:00 PM (Boys)
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00 PM (Boys)
- Monday: 6:00–7:00 PM (Girls)
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00 PM (Girls)
Game Schedule:
- Friday: 6:00–7:00 PM or 7:00–8:00 PM
U10 (Boys & Girls)
Program Length: 6 weeks
Dates: Starting the week of January 5th
Full Program - $210 (includes two training sessions and one game per week)
Game Only Option - $125 (game participation only)
Training Schedule:
Boys:
- Tuesday: 6:00–7:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00–7:00 PM
Girls:
- Monday: 6:00–7:00 PM (combined with U8)
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00 PM (combined with U8)
Game Schedule:
- Saturday mornings at Lab Sports