Academy Curriculum

For returning students: Returning students will have a curriculum that builds on the themes introduced in their first year at the Academy (see below). The students will work on measuring how effective their leadership skills have been applied during the last year and areas upon which they can improve. We will also integrate a mentoring program into the curriculum for these returning students. The mentoring program will put practical leadership skills to use and, at the same time, provide younger students with role models from whom they can follow and learn.

Soccer – On-field training (technical training, functional drills, small-sided games, match play). Learn from some of the best women soccer players at the international, national and collegiate level.
The Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy will use not only soccer to teach leadership, it will use leadership themes to teach soccer. For example, if the leadership concept for the day is different styles of communication, we will work that theme into the soccer-playing component. We believe that leadership skills learned on the field can translate into leadership skills off the field, and visa versa.

Leadership Areas of emphasis:

Theme:  SELF…Being a leader that others will want to follow.

• Recognizing all the different types of leaders
• Having the confidence to bring out the leader in you
• Self-discipline, self-respect and respect for others

Theme: TEAM… Being a positive leader on your team.

• Being a good listener, communicator
• How do you find your voice?
• Decision-making that can affect team chemistry

Theme: SCHOOL/HALLWAYS…Setting an example of leadership on and off the field.

• Overcoming obstacles that may impede good leadership
• Helping others deal with difficult situations
• Verbal leadership

Theme: COMMUNITY… Being a leader in your own community.

• good leadership = creating leaders around you
• learning the value of giving back in life
• "Pay it forward" approach

Theme: LIFE…The emphasis behind our entire leadership curriculum will be:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I DO, I UNDERSTAND.

We want this to be interactive leadership learning! Live. Lead. Pass it on!
We encourage the students to take all these leadership concepts learned during the week and apply them to LIFE. Please visit our Alumni in Action! page to see what our current alumni are doing in their communities.

Guest Speakers/Panel Discussions - Guest speakers will visit the Academy for our evening guest lecture/panel series. Guests will speak to the student-athletes about their athletic experience and how sports have helped shaped their lives. They will also talk about how sports have helped develop the leadership skills that they currently utilize in their daily lives. What role has athletics played in their lives? How did it help shape their careers? How can sports provide a personal foundation, which a person can then build upon for the rest of her life?

Small group discussions - Breakout session will allow athletes to talk to each other about their own experiences and about concepts introduced to them during the day in leadership class. Our curriculum during the small group discussions will be very interactive – lots of discussion and small group activities.