ODP in Virginia
Virginia is divided into four districts – Central, Northern, Southeastern and Western. Each district conducts open tryouts for the 5 participating birth years of both genders in August – this year 91, 90, 89, 88, 87 are the birth years. The oldest age group – this year 86/85 birth years are still apart of the ODP, however they will not participate in district tryouts or training. This pool of players will be selected through scouting, recommendations and networking with club coaches as a State Pool only.
The 91, 90, 89, 88, 87 player pools will be selected to participate in 8 District Training sessions conducted during the fall. This year we hope to have Monday evenings designated as ODP Training nights. These sessions will be conducted by the ODP District staff from that particular district. The ODP State age group coach along with the State Technical Director and State Assistant Technical Director will also conduct sessions in each district. In addition to the district tryouts, we also identify players through the VYSA Scouting Program. Throughout the fall club season, scouts will attend league games and tournaments as well as networking with club coaches searching for players who may have been missed or did not tryout. It’s extremely important to observe players play in their natural environment so that we have a complete picture of the player. Some youngsters can get lost in a tryout process, or they get nervous, or the coach misses them, or they simply have an off day. Does this mean they are a bad player? NO! We are providing them with both avenues in which to be identified and gain access to the Olympic development Program. These players identified through the scouting process will be brought into training for evaluation and then a determination will be made as to whether or not to add the players to the pool. In mid to late November, the four districts meet in Ashland for two sessions of inter-district play. This gives the district training pools 10 sessions for the fall. During the inter-district play, the ODP State Staff is in attendance to evaluate, identify and select the State ODP Training pools. These State ODP pools will train throughout the spring in preparation for the Region I tournament in early June and the Region I identification camps in mid July. Scouting will continue to identify any players who may have been missed through the tryout process. The State ODP coaches will select teams to participate in these two events. It is the goal of the State ODP to get as many players as possible selected to the Region I Pools and Teams. The players selected to the Region I teams will participate in events with the other three regions. National Team coaches and staff will use the inter-regional events to select pools for the US National Youth Teams.
Overview of Training and Games for Development
Ø The entry level age group, U.13 (this year 91’s) is geared to the players becoming accustomed to the program. A large pool is selected for State Pool Training with two teams attending both the Region I tournament and Camp.
Ø The second year in the program, U.14 (this year 90’s) has more events added to the calendar. This age group will travel internationally, which is important for the development of the elite player. Two teams will again be selected for the Region I tournament and Camp. This is also the first year in which US Soccer selects a pool of players for a National Pool camp.
Ø The third year in the program, U.15 (this year 89’s) competes for a National ODP Championship, so one team competes in the Region I tournament, but two teams will travel to Camp.
Ø The fourth year in the program, U.16 (this year 88’s) will again travel internationally. This is important for the elite player’s preparation for participation on Regional and National Teams. One team is selected for the Region I tournament and Camp.
Ø The fifth year in the program, U.17 (this year 87’s) again competes for a National ODP Championship. This group also participates in College Showcase tournaments. One team is selected for the tournament and camp.
Ø The last year in the program, U.19 (this year 86’s & ‘85’s) will also compete in College Showcase tournaments and only attend Regional Camp.
Cost: the District Tryout fee is only $35
Bring: Soccer ball, water, soccer shoes, shin guards, sunscreen, and a light and dark shirt. Please make sure that your shirts do not have any club or league affiliations on them.
District Tryout Schedule
Central – All Tryouts at Courthouse Park
Boys - Saturday, August 2 @ 12:00 noon-2.30pm
Sunday, August 3 @ 9:00-11:30am & 3:00-5:00pm
Girls - Saturday, August 2 @ 9:00-11:30am & 3:00-5:00pm
Sunday, August 3 @ 12:00 noon-2:30pm
North – All Tryouts at Pratt Park
Boys - Saturday, August 9 @ 9:00-11:30am & 1:30-3:30pm
Sunday, August 10 @ 9:00-11:30am
Girls - Saturday, August 16 @ 9:00-11:30am & 1:30-3:30pm
Sunday, August 17 @ 9:00-11:30am
Southeast – All Tryouts at Hampton Roads Soccer Complex
Boys
& Girls- Saturday, August 2 @ 9:00-11:30am & 1:30-3:30pm
Sunday, August 3 @ 9:00-11:30am
West – All Tryouts at Vineyard #2
Boys - Saturday, August 9 @ 11:00am-1:00pm & 4:00-6:00pm
Sunday, August 10 @ 3:30-5:30pm
Girls - Saturday, August 9 @ 8:30-10:30am & 1:30-3:30pm
Sunday, August 10 @ 1:00-3:00pm
