Tots Soccer — Programming for our tiniest participants

In this episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), Katie sits down with Jim Hogan (Deputy Director of Tournaments & Programs & NPSL Head Coach), Nick Papadis (Program Manager) to talk about ASA's many training programs (Ball Mastery, Junior Academy, Camps, AGP, Individual Training & more!). These programs all developed over time into the robust offerings they are today. You might be surprised to learn about the humble beginnings! Shoutout to Grigor Boychev, beloved Junior Academy & Ball Mastery director who could not be with us during recording, and to Ben Hawkins & Will Hanna for their many years of running camps. This episode concludes Season 1! We'll be back with more fun and external guests this fall. Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In this episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), Katie sits down with Jim Hogan (Deputy Director of Tournaments & Programs & NPSL Head Coach), Scott Senkier (WPSL Head Coach), and Tim Lenzo (Women's Futsal Head Coach, & Academy Girls Director) to talk about Alexandria Reds, adult amateur programming. ASA offers robust and competitive soccer & futsal teams for college students, recent graduates and high level players. These teams provide a pathway for former youth athletes as players and coaches. Catch a game this summer! These teams, and the ASA Reds program, are a huge community endeavor with support from many fantastic people over the years! Shoutout to Leland Creadick, Xavier Matthews, Will Hanna, Mark Wysocki, Emily Kruger, Rose Sommovigo, James Walsh, Fiona Kunkel, & the ASA Operations Team, to name a few. Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In our fifth episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), Katie sits down with Jim Hogan (Deputy Director of Tournaments & Programs), and Liz Blount (Tots Soccer Director) to chat about soccer programming for our youngest participants, ages 2-4 years old. Coach Liz, one of ASA's most tenured program directors, shares the ins and out of Tots programming, including benefits such as social skills, cognitive understanding, listening skills, confidence and more. A fun conversation about one of ASA's oldest programs! Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In our fourh episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), Katie Brooks sits down with Chris Arnold (Deputy Director of Academy & Futsal, and Will Hanna (Academy Futsal Director) to chat about the unbelievable growth and development of futsal programming over the past 15 years. ASA offers a variety of futsal options for all levels of play, in an everchanging futsal landscape. Tune in to hear about how things started (back to Brazil), high and lows of the past decade, some great shoutouts and hopes for the future! Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In our third episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), Katie Brooks sits down with Pedro Paiva, ASA's International Trips Director, and Tommy Park, Executive Director, to talk about all things travel. Tune in to hear about where ASA has traveled, what we've learned along the way and where we're headed next (summer 2025)! And for the first time, two guests call in to talk about their travel experiences on ASA trips (as a coach and a player). Thanks Anna & Jack! Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In our second episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), Katie Brooks sits down with ASA's Rec League team members, Cindy & Jim, to talk about grassroots, volunteer run, community soccer (the program has remained very similar over the past 50+ years!). Additionally, Johnatan joins the episode to chat about the Access4All After School League and how ASA brought the Rec League experience to kids at school.  Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In our first (present day) episode of The Pitch (Podcast!), our host Katie Brooks sits down with the Academy dream team to talk about their backgrounds, how they plan for an Academy season (it's complex!), their hopes and dreams. Chris Arnold, Ryan Rich and Adem Gokturk walk us through their years of experience and share a little bit of what they learned along the way.  Intro music: Mark G. Meadows

In the Fall of 2019 Alexandria Soccer Association launched a Recreational League in the West End neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. This league is unique in that it's free and located at the kids' school. Hear why this league is important and listen to kids tell you what they're loving about playing soccer.      

  The 2007 Boys Red team celebrates after their victorious championship game in the Eastern Regional Tournament.