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Last Updated: Jan 10th, 2010 - 20:12:24 |
The US YOUTH SOCCER Olympic Development Program, or ODP as it is more commonly called, is a national identification and development program for high-level players. The program identifies and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state association, region and the United States in soccer competition.
ODP teams are formed at the state association and regional levels, made up of the best players in various age groups. At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group and brought together as a team to develop their skill through training and competition. From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.
What are the Goals of ODP?
1. To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a United States National Team will be selected for international competition.
2. To provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels.
3. Through the use of carefully selected licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
West Virginia’s Olympic Development Program
In support of these national/regional goals, the WV ODP program strives to give each and every player in the state an opportunity to participate in the statewide ODP program. It is our goal to identify the best players at each age level; Provide the best training possible in order to move players to the next level; and Provide them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the state and regional levels in a variety of different events as well as provide them an opportunity to be showcased for regional staff and college coaching staff.
While it is the ultimately the goal of the state program to have our players represented in the regional pools and teams, this is by no means the exclusive goal of the WV ODP program. Equally important is our goal to provide exceptional training and competitive opportunities for our players. To this end, we will strive to provide an experienced coaching staff to its players, many of whom have extensive college level play and coaching experience.
Each player and parent should understand that part of the ODP experience is not only the development of new and improved soccer skills but participation in a broad range of experiences contributing to the players emotional, maturational, and social development as well. The players will have the opportunity to meet highly skilled players from states both within and around our region. It is important for both the player and parent to realize that competition at the regional level is very tough and that not making the regional pool is not a negative. Helping your player to establish appropriate goals for his/her ODP experience is an important part of ensuring that your player gets the most out of this exciting opportunity.
Who is Eligible?
Any soccer player is eligible for consideration in the ODP provided that he or she meets the age requirements for the established age group. The only exception to this requiement is for players born in 1998, they may tryout out for the 1997 team. A player may try out in the state association in which he or she is eligible to be registered. A player may not try out for the ODP team in more than one state association. Out of state players must have permission from their home state to tryout in WV and then permission must also be granted from our state association.
The registration fee of $50 is non-returnable and can not be scholarshipped. There are forms available on this website for both sponsors (players can use this to solicit funds to help offset the cost of their player fees) and scholarships (a limited amount of funds are available to help players). Sponsorships can be collected at any time throughtout the program; scholarship requests should be made as soon as a player has a need.
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