Questions: Please contact our Girls Academy Director Julie Bernhardt. JBernhardt@madison56ers.org
Madison 56ers SC has, and will continue to strive to provide top level competition for all of our players allowing them to reach their full potential, this highly competitive platform will help to continue our club mission."
~ Tony Wright - Director of Coaching
"The Madison 56ers are thrilled and honored to be joining the Girls Academy. We look forward to participating in the top tier of girls soccer and giving our players a platform to showcase their talents on the National stage.The GA aligns with the Madison 56ers core values and is steadfast in promoting females in sport allowing them to reach their full potential both on and off the pitch. We look forward to a long lasting relationship with the Girls Academy and competing with the top clubs across the country. We want to thank Meghan Frey and the entire GA leadership team for giving us this incredible opportunity to participate in the Girls Academy.
Q: What is the Girls Academy?
The Girls Academy is the leading youth development platform for the best female soccer players in the United States. The GA is the only national youth soccer platform that represents the collective vision of member clubs and actively engages the voice of the players to take real ownership of the league. The GA embraces the desires of club members and players to maintain an unrivaled standard of excellence in coaching, competition, and regional and national showcase events throughout the year.
Q. Why did leadership choose the Girls Academy?
The Girls Academy aligns with the Madison 56ers core values and is steadfast in the development and promotion of females in sport. The GIrls Academy is a Tier 1 platform that will allow our female players the opportunity to compete against national competition and be scouted by hundreds of college coaches and youth National Team staff. The Madison 56ers leadership team and club underwent a thorough evaluation process where the Girls Academy evaluated our 70 years of commitment to youth soccer. The GA was extensive in their research, looking closely at our leadership team, coaching staff, community involvement and importantly our long history of player development and results [both locally, regionally and nationally], including our extensive collegiate player pathway. After fully vetting our club and a thorough interview process, the GA voted unanimously to extend an invitation to the Madison 56ers SC.
Q: What Division will we be in?
We are still waiting on our divisional placement. The GA is committed to reducing travel where clubs are geographically grouped into playing home/away league games over the course of a playing year.Q: What teams will compete in the Girls Academy? The Madison 56ers U13-19 girls program RED [first] teams
Q: Will Madison 56ers girls teams continue to compete in the leagues they play in today?
GIRLS ACADEMY U13 - 19 first teams
MIDWEST CONFERENCE select U15 - 19 second teams
STATE LEAGUE GIRLS U11-12 first teams. U13 - 19 Second Teams
MAYSA U11 - 12 third teams and select u13 - 14 third teams
Q: How many GA games does each team play and how long is the season?
The Girls Academy is a 10-month competition.. Each team will play 12-18 games in the league portion of the GA. Teams will receive additional games at tournaments, GA Showcases and potentially GA Champions Cup series. HS players will participate in the Girls Academy opposite their HS seasons
Q: Will players be able to participate in their high school season?
Yes. The Girls Academy is designed for players to be able to compete with their respective
High School teams
Q: Can GA teams compete in State Cup?
Yes. Beginning in 2025-26 GA teams are allowed to compete in State Cup
Q: Will players be able to play another sport (during winter) and still be on a GA Team?
The commitment to the GA during will be very similar to Elite 64. Players can expect one to two showcase events during the winter and early summer. League play leading up to and directly following their high school soccer season. Players are expected to discuss other sport commitments with their coach and to be fair to the team, plan any absences well in advance.
Q: How much travel is involved?
The GA is a Tier 1 National Platform. Clubs should expect to travel within the boundaries of their play group. The amount of travel will ultimately be determined based on the final slate of accepted clubs. With a home/away model, however, a minimum of half of a club’s games will be hosted locally.
Q: Do all age groups travel together like in Elite 64?
For the most part our U13-19 high aged teams will travel together, but since our U13 and U14 teams will be playing GA games during the high school seasons, their schedules may not always align. PLAY OFFS
Q: Will the Girls Academy have its own championship or end-of-season event?
Yes, there is a summer playoff series. First leg at the end of June. Champions Cup finalsmid July
Q. Where will the National Finals event be held?
Their Champions Cup final historically has been in Florida or California SHOWCASES
Q: How many National Showcase opportunities will the GA provide?
13s and 14’s - 1 showcase event typically in November in Florida ( possible 2nd event - Champions Cup - Top Finishers
15s - 17’s - 2 showcase events December and 3rd weekend in June - both typically in California ( possible 3rd event - Champions Cup - Top Finishers )
19s - 1 - 2 showcase event California ( possible 2nd or 3rd event - Champions Cup - Top Finishers ) PLAYERS
Q: How many players can compete on a GA team?
Roster size limit = 30.
Game day roster = 18
Q. Will this affect how we roster players?
Will continue to structure our teams as we do today. Players from other teams will join as needed or as opportunity allows.
Q. How long are the games?
U13-15 = 80 minutes / 10 minute half time
U16-19 = 90 minutes / 10 minute half time
Q: What makes the GA unique
1. College Impact: The GA is committed to showcasing our girls talents where an average of 300+ college coaches from around the country gather at the GA events. The GA has an incredibly high rate of college commits across all divisions, numerous players competing on our National Teams and in the NWSL [including 2024 first overall pick Ally Sentnor
2. GA Talent ID’s: The GA’s mission is to highlight, identify, and improve top talent competing in the Girls Academy, while exposing players to opportunities to succeed at the highest level. To accomplish this, each conference will host an invite-only ID event3. held over one weekend per year. From there, stand-out players at Regional Talent ID events may be selected to participate in National Talent ID events. Participating players across all Talent ID events will be evaluated using the same rating scale.
3. The GA Advisory Panel: What makes the GA unique and different is the active role the league’s players have in shaping the direction of the league. How? Introducing the Advisory Panel, which affords the players the opportunity to nominate and maintain a player-led board that represents the thoughts, opinions, and vision of the players. The Advisory Panel is active in suggesting ways to improve the league, engaging in sponsor opportunities, organizing charitable initiatives, shaping league merchandise offerings, and more.
Q. Will you offer transportation and/or financial assistance for those participating in the GIrls Academy?
The club will continue to offer both full and partial scholarships to cover the cost of club team fees. Please contact info@madison56ers.org. Unfortunately, the club is not able to assist with travel expenses at this time. We are looking to introduce team fundraising to help offset some of the travel costs.
Q. How does participation in the GA by our Red teams benefit our other teams?
Madison 56ers mission is to maximize our player’s soccer potential, and therefore we will always push to participate at the highest level we are able. Playing at an increased level of competition develops our players personally, advances the club’s reputation for quality soccer, and attracts top coaches. Success continues to rise across the club. The Madison 56ers have more players (not just Red players) participating in ODP than any other club in the state, and our White teams have won more President’s Cups than any other club in the state, along with our White teams being promoted into Midwest Regional League play and our Silver teams advancing into State League competition.
Q. How does the cost compare to E64?
We anticipate the cost to be very similar and roughly $2200 / red team player U13+ [For reference current registration for U13+ Red team player is $2020]
