2026 U8-12 Academy Teams and Training
Email soccer@bristolsportsplex.com to register and for questions.
The Soccer Academy offers high-quality coaching in Bristol, emphasizing an innovative, fun academy model. Our culture promotes player expression, aiming to nurture players who are passionate about soccer for life.
Mitchell Wilson
Director of Soccer
Mitchell brings a strong background as both a player and coach, with international experience in Holland, England, and France, including semi-professional play with Saint-Denis and trials with FC Dijon (Ligue 2).
He has coached with clubs in Orlando and most recently served as Director of Futsal for Triangle United in North Carolina. Mitchell has developed players at the college, MLS NEXT, ECNL, and professional levels, training 15 MLS & USL athletes, including Luis Nani.
Ben Lynch
U9&U10 Director
Ben Lynch brings a strong playing background and passion for player development to the Bristol Sportsplex as our U9 & U10 Director of Soccer. A former defender and midfielder at King University, Ben played collegiate soccer while developing a deep understanding of the game and youth development.
Originally from Waynesville, North Carolina, Ben is focused on creating a positive, high-energy environment where young players can build confidence, improve their technical skills, and grow their love for soccer.
The Plex is committed to using our state-of-the-art facility to bring highly experienced coaches to Bristol and empower our local coaches with support and training.
The Plex Soccer culture is based on a belief that soccer is a game that allows players to express their personalities and creativity in a fun, competitive environment. We call such players footballers and our purpose is to make footballers who can compete at their highest level on club and school teams.
We make footballers by teaching fundamentals and decision-making within a fast-paced environment that maximizes the number of touches on the ball. The field, itself, is modeled after the mini-pitches built throughout Germany. The small size of the field maximizes the speed of play, number of touches, and opportunities to score goals. The culture, size of the balls, training equipment, and coaching philosophy are all intentionally designed to develop highly technical players who will love and play the game for a lifetime.
The Bristol Sportsplex Soccer facility was built and designed by Matt Lavinder. The winningest coach in King University Men’s Soccer history, Lavinder has been growing soccer in the TRI for 25 years. He holds the highest coaching licenses in the country, including the USSF A License, USSF National Goalkeeper License, USSF National Youth License, and the NSCAA Premier Diploma. As part of his licensing, Lavinder has done coursework at Real Madrid, Athletico Madrid, Spanish FA, and the Columbus Crew. As a founder of Tri-Cities United, Lavinder helped the local club become one of the first affiliate clubs of FC Dallas. Along the way, Matt has helped develop countless coaches, college players, and a few professionals. With the Sportsplex, he hopes to connect local players with authentic footballing culture, a proven philosophy of coaching, and exceptional coaches.
Introducing CORE Academy at Bristol Sportsplex!
Ready to take your young soccer player's game to the next level? CORE Academy is a brand-new program for U6-U8/9 players designed to provide fun, high-quality training during critical growth years. At CORE Academy, we:
Create a positive, fun, and encouraging environment where every player feels valued.
Reinforce proper motor patterns and techniques to maximize long-term development.
Build a strong foundation for future athletic success—whether in soccer or other sports!
Let’s foster a love for the game while equipping young players with skills that will benefit them both on and off the field.
Program Overview
Duration: 10 weeks.
Practice Locations:
Bristol at Bristol Sportsplex
Johnson City at Winged Deer
Ages: U6-U8 players
Format: Two 60-minute training sessions per week, 4-6 weekend games, and a round-robin tournament.
Cost: $250 per season (includes 2 jerseys).
Spots are limited—register now to secure your place!
CORE Academy emphasizes long-term success, offering a pathway to future competitive opportunities while focusing on personal and athletic growth.
Why Choose CORE Academy?
Why Choose CORE Academy?
CORE Academy offers a unique training experience, blending expert coaching with a structured curriculum to develop your child’s skills and passion for the game. Here’s what makes us stand out:
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Build foundational motor patterns while fostering athleticism, character, and leadership.
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Ensures each child gets the attention they need to grow.
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Training is led by experienced FC Alliance North and ETSU coaches who focus on personal growth and development.
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Reduce injuries, avoid bad habits, and help kids develop lifelong positive athletic and mental habits.
Our goal is to meet every player where they are and help them build toward their future aspirations—whether competitive soccer or beyond!
Meet The Team
Matt Lavinder
Owner
A stalwart in the world of soccer, Matt Lavinder's legacy began as a revered captain at King University. His credentials, such as the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and USSF licenses, highlight his unwavering dedication to the sport. Transitioning from assisting the Duke Women’s team to being the winningest men’s coach in King University's history, Matt's journey has been one of consistent excellence. With his purchase of Bristol Sportsplex in 2020, he has infused his vast soccer knowledge into the facility's programs. A staunch Arsenal FC supporter and a hands-on leader, Matt ensures Bristol Sportsplex's soccer initiatives meet the gold standard.
A captain and assistant coach at King University, Brian Elliott was a standout player at Bearden High School, which won numerous state championships during his career. Brian, a PA at Appalachian Orthopedic, brings a wealth of high level experience as a lead coach in the academy.
Brian Elliott
U11 SCCL Boys Coach
Sam Ferguson
U11 SCCL Boys Coach
Before winning two conference championships with King University, Sam was named the Knoxville Player of the Year during his senior year at Christian Academy of Knoxville. While at CAK, Sam led the team to 4 straight state championships. Sam is the Vice President of New Again Houses Franchising.
Annie Elliott
U13 Girls Coach
A soccer prodigy from King University, Annie ranks second in career goals and assists in Tennessee High history. Her transition from a top player to an academy coach was seamless, reflecting her deep understanding of the game. Her coaching style is heavily influenced by her rich playing background, which makes her an invaluable asset to our academy.
Mark Quickel, formerly the head coach of the boys' team at Tennessee High, brings a rich blend of leadership and pride to our soccer community. He played soccer at Newberry College and is an alumnus of East Tennessee State University, as well as a native of Bristol. His deep ties to the community, coupled with his extensive experience, make him a key asset in developing young athletes. Mark’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth is at the heart of his coaching philosophy.
Mark Quickel
U8 Girls Coach
Criss Golden
U11 SCCL Girls Coach
Criss Golden helped lead King University to two conference championships as a player. He then went on to be an assistant coach at King before launching a career in banking with Eastman Credit Union. Criss is an exceptional coach and Arsenal supporter.
Derick Ratliffe
U12 Boys Coach
Todd Blevins
U12 Girls Coach
Plex Academy
Ready to join our team?
Calling all soccer stars born in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 - we're recruiting now! Whether you're a fierce girl ready to rock the field, or a strong boy with the spirit of a champion, we want YOU! Be part of a team, make new friends, and take your skills to the next level with us. Send us a message to learn more.
1-on-1 Private Sessions
Private soccer training allows our coaches to focus on the player's holistic development. This includes a focus on skill development, nutrition, strength, and conditioning.
Soccer Academy FAQs
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Our U7 through U12 Academy Program is an alternative to the traditional recreational and select (traveling) team programs and offers the opportunity for advanced development of the young soccer player. This program is a league for boys and girls ages 7-12. Under the guidance of our highly qualified leadership and our top-tier facilities’ support, coupled with our recent partnership with FC Alliance, we provide players with a holistic pathway to realize their soccer aspirations.
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FC Alliance (FC Alliance Soccer Club) is a 501C3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide excellence in training, development and the teaching of life lessons through the game of soccer. The club’s number one priority to is to develop players to their full potential and helping them attain future opportunities to continue their soccer careers. US Club has named FC Alliance a Players First Licensed Club- making it one of 46 clubs in the United States to exhibit excellence in player, coach, and club development- among other categories of evaluation. You can read more about them here.
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Academy soccer emphasizes the maximum development of individual skills and provides the opportunity to apply those skills in a competitive environment. Young players with commitment, skills, and attitude will find Academy Soccer to be a good introduction to the FC Alliance Plex Competitive program.
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Yes, below is a sample schedule of what the year looks like for our U9-U12 ages; our U7 and U8 ages only participate in the fall and spring training:
Summer: June/July
Once a week Lead Coach Training
Fall and Spring: August to mid-November and Mid-February to Mid-May
Twice a week training, one session to be led by Lead Coach
Matches on 12 weekends spread across the fall
Winter: Mid-November to mid-February
Once a week lead coach training
Indoor / Futsal League play
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We fully acknowledge and support our players' participation in other sports throughout the year. Consequently, we adjust our training schedule during the winter and summer seasons to accommodate this. Nonetheless, the core of our program is dedicated to fostering continuous development in technical skills, particularly crucial during the formative years. As players grow older, refining these skills becomes increasingly challenging. Therefore, we provide year-round training opportunities to ensure our players acquire the technical proficiency essential for executing advanced tactics required to compete at higher levels
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A combination of licensed professional Club coaches and team coaches with extensive experience in collegiate play and coaching licensure guides our teams. This collaborative approach ensures that our players receive top-tier training, equipping them with the foundational skills and strategic knowledge essential for success as they advance through the ranks of soccer. To read more about our coach, make sure you check out their bios on the Sportsplex website.
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Per US Soccer Guidelines, teams are formed based on a player’s year of birth for the start of the fall 2024 season. For the 2024/2025 season, those ages will be reflected as follows.:
U12-2013
U11-2014
U10-2015
U9-2016
U8-2017
U7-2018
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Our teams typically compete in the Volunteer Elite Soccer League (VESL), featuring club teams from across Tennessee. VESL strives to offer competitive matchups while emphasizing minimal travel and expenses. This structure enables our teams to face opponents of comparable skill levels, with a focus on arranging matches in the tri-cities area to reduce travel to Knoxville and neighboring regions whenever feasible. However, occasional travel remains necessary to ensure fair competition and to reciprocate the effort of other clubs participating in the league.
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While spots are limited, our club welcomes players of all ability levels. We provide equal training and opportunities to every player, irrespective of their athleticism or skill level. Initial assessments will be carried out to ensure each child is placed in a suitable environment for their development. Although we cannot guarantee a spot for your child, we strive to create teams and opportunities for all who participate in the initial evaluation.
Additional Details
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: 2x
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: 2 to 3 (U13 and U14 practice 3x per week)
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: 1x per week at Plex, 1x per week at Whitetop
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: 2x per week at Winged Deer
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: 1 x per week directed by experienced plex staff coach to include Matt Yelton and Pam Wilson, 1x per week with team coach
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: 1x per week with lead coach, 1 x per week with team coach (U13 and U14 1x per week with sports performance coach)
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: We have a defined curriculum to help players reach their maximum potential. The curriculum was designed by coaches who have had decades of success developing players at the highest level. All of our coaches work within this established curriculum. Regardless of what team a player is on, he or she will receive consistent, structured, and goal-oriented training.
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: We have a defined curriculum to help players reach their maximum potential. The curriculum was designed by coaches who have had decades of success developing players at the highest level. All of our coaches work within this established curriculum. Regardless of what team a player is on, he or she will receive consistent, structured, and goal-oriented training.
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: 3 VESL Weekends in TRI-Cities, 3 VESL Weekends in Knox, 1 local TRI-Cities tournament, 1 travel tournament(typically within 2- hours), 2 weekends of local/intraclub games
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: 3 VESL Weekends in TRI-Cities, 3 VESL Weekends in Knox, 1 local TRI tournament, 1 travel tournament, 2 weekends of local/intraclub games
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: $1500 for U9 to U12, $425 for U7 and U8 (payment plan options are available)
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: $1,500 (payment plan options are available)
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: Year round training, Winter Indoor League, Field Rental Fees, Coaching Fees
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: Year round training, Winter Indoor League, Field Rental Fees, Coaching Fees
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U9 to U12 FC Alliance North Plex Academy: Uniform fee and Team Fees
U9, U13/U14 FC Alliance North Johnson City: Uniform fee and Team Fees
United Through Passion: Our FC Alliance Legacy
At the heart of our new partnership with FC Alliance lies a deep-seated camaraderie, rooted in shared history and unwavering dedication to soccer excellence. Chad Stockton of FC Alliance, Matt Lavinder of Bristol Sportsplex, and Matt Yelton, the guiding force of our soccer program, all share a bond forged on the fields of King University. Their collective experience is a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering long-term growth. This trio's journey from teammates to trailblazers in youth soccer development underscores the essence of our alliance — a fusion not of convenience, but of shared values and visions. With decades of collective wisdom, this alliance is set to shape the future of soccer, ensuring that every player's potential is realized within our community.
