Frequently Asked Questions about the New Jersey Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer ODP What is the ODP –GOALS/OBJECTIVES: (Badge above left) It stands for Olympic Development Program Per the 1978 Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, it led to the creation of the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) and gave it the authority of organizing, coordinating and directing grass roots/youth sports throughout the country- per Section 22506 of the Act The goal of the USOC Olympic Development Program is to support programs which identify, evaluate and develop players for its National Team programs in all sports The overall objective is “to support these initiatives on a continued and consistent basis, in order to improve the success of all U.S National Teams at the international level.” US Soccer’s role under the USOC is to be the National Governing Body (NGB) for soccer throughout the nation They review, recommend, coordinate, certify, oversee and monitor ODP initiatives on a continual basis to ensure players are developed for the US National Teams and to ensure compliance with USOC requirements (Badge above right) New Jersey Youth Soccer is a National State Association body under US Soccer, and US Youth Soccer is a National member as such they have been approved by US Soccer to run an ODP The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has been in existence since 1977 It was the first program introduced to help identify potential national team youth players through an organized series of trials which began at the district or local level, progressed through the state, region and finally the national level The current program also serves as a means of development as the players identified are brought together for training and prepared for interstate, interregional and international competitions The development of the players is taking place rapidly as talented players are brought together for training and competition at all levels Training and playing with those of equal or greater ability is a tremendous teaching tool The program is open to any youth player affiliated with US Soccer The higher up the ladder a player progresses, the more intense the training and playing become The regional teams experience both interregional and international competitions on an annual basis A pool of players is selected for each age group with the rosters changing each year as players develop at different rates Regional players have traveled to around the country and internationally such as Spain, Italy, France, England, Argentina, Costa Rica, Germany and Russia While the US Youth Soccer ODP is one vehicle for development and identification, it is not the only pathway under US Soccer All programs work together to help the players attain their ultimate potential The US Youth Soccer ODP does provide a systematic method that allows players to advance as far as their abilities allow It serves as a form of selfevaluation in a system that is recognized by coaches at all levels What are the ODP advantages and benefits? Identification into the highest youth state level system Development as a player The opportunity to train and play with the best players in one's age group Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches Quality competition Games against other National State Association teams Exposure to US Youth Soccer Regional and US National Team coaches The opportunity to represent one's state, region, or country in competition Exposure to college coaches-over 90% of the coaches at the State and Regional Level come from top NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Programs Who is eligible to participate? The ODP follows the Federacion de Futbol Association (FIFA the governing body of Soccer worldwide) Calendar, unlike the Club calendar, to determine eligibility; as such the program is open to all players born in the eligible birth year (see below) The U13-17Age Groups begin with sessions/opportunities to be identified in late July early August At the conclusion of the initial identification process, a pool of players per age group and gender under the eligible birth years will be selected for further training and potential selection to the Final State Team Roster which will take place in early April All players selected for the final roster will be invited to take part in further training and competition culminating in the Regional Camps in July 2013 2012–2013 Eligible Birth Year Age Groups: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 (we offer a 2001 Developmental Program in the late Spring ONLY) For the 2012–2013 ODP Season, the eligible age groups are as follows: Birth Year Age Group 2001 (U12) Boys & Girls 2000 (U13) Boys & Girls 1999 (U14) Boys & Girls 1998 (U15) Boys & Girls 1997 (U16) Boys & Girls 1996 (U17) Boys & Girls How does one sign up? Date of Birth January 1–December 31, 2001 * Dev Program starts June 2013 January 1–December 31, 2000 January 1–December 31, 1999 January 1–December 31, 1998 January 1–December 31, 1997 January 1–December 31, 1996 Interested players must register by going on line to the NJYS ODP web site and establishing an account Follow the directions for registering Because of the volume of registrations you might not receive a confirmation How many players are selected? Players are selected initially into a State Pool for their respective age group Pool size depends mostly on the talent that shows up in each age group and all age groups are a little different, but roughly anywhere from 50-75 players can be selected to a pool In the Final U13-17 State Teams a total of 25 players are selected—this number could include players selected to the prior season’s Regional Pools/Teams and National Pool Players (some of younger age groups have more than team) How many goalkeepers are selected to the Pools/Teams: Because we base this on the talent available there are not any real hard numbers of goalkeepers Usually goalkeepers are selected to the Final Rosters for each team but sometimes coaches will select How are players selected? It is the State Coaches' responsibility to select the best players in their respective age groups The number of candidates to observe and the limited time present a huge challenge to the age group coaches throughout the selection process The head coach uses input from other qualified coaches and assessors at the sessions to make the selection Players are evaluated on the following: 3 Technical Speed-Ball Control Game Intelligence-Situational Awareness and Game Understanding Body Control – Athleticism, Conditioning Personality- Mental and Emotional Control, Attitude on and off the field Of the areas mentioned above, the player's ability to make some form of noticeable impact on the game, and handle the demands of the game at the ODP level are usually the determining factors Because of the volume of players that compete in the selection process, the limited time and efforts to keep costs to a minimum we are unable to provide written individual assessments or evaluations on players You may contact the Director of Coaching at any time if you have any concerns or suggestions – coach@njyouthsoccer.com or 609-3712673 What if my child’s club team conflicts with ODP Events? The primary development of players in New Jersey takes place through our member clubs and participation in the US Youth Soccer ODP does intend to interfere with that development but rather supplement that development by identifying and providing opportunities for the best players in the state to play alongside each other and against other State teams domestically and internationally The success of New Jersey Youth Soccer ODP is a direct result of the quality of players, coaches and level of competition within New Jersey! Unless otherwise noted, all Girls US Youth Soccer Region ID ODP Camps are held at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI and all Boys US Youth Soccer Region ODP ID Camps are held either at Rider University (U12-U15) in Lawrenceville, NJ or Kutztown University (U16-U17s) in Kutztown, PA; and Boys Call-back camps are by regional invitation ONLY Location TBA July 28, 29 and Aug 4, 5, 2012 September 2012 October 2012 February 2013 April 2013 April –May April - June June 1–2 June 7-9 2012–2013 Calendar Initial State Pool Tryouts: 2000-1996 Boys and Girls Age Groups Initial State Pools posted on NJYS web site Player Paperwork Deadline into NJYS Office Boys ODP Friendlies Weekend, Williamsburg, Virginia Final State Team Trials: Boys and Girls 1995-1997 Age Groups Tryouts for Boys and Girls U12 Development Programs Training Sessions: 1996–2000 State Teams (June- 2001 Boys and Girls) ODP Mini Camp and Competition Event Weekend: 1996–2001 State Pools US Youth Soccer Region ODP Tournament: 1996-2000 June 22-23 Boys and Girls US Youth Soccer Region ODP Tournament Semis and Finals Weekend 1996-1998s July - 10 1996, 1997 and 1998 Girls ODP Region ID Camp at University of Rhode Island (URI) July - 2000 Boys ODP Region ID Camp Rider University Call Back Camp: July 14 – 17 2013 Kutztown University July 10 - 13 1999 – 1998 Boys ODP Region ID Camp Rider University 1999 – 1998 Call Back Camp: July 20 – 23 2013 Rider University July 10 - 14 1999 – 2000 Girls ODP Region ID Camp URI July 10 - 13 1997 - 1996 Boys ODP Region ID Camp Kutztown University 1997 – 1996 Call Back Camp: July 2013 Rider University July 27, 28 and Initial State Pool Tryouts for 2013-2014 Season: August 3, 4, 2012 Boys and Girls 2001-1997 Age Groups How much does the program cost? ODP is a self-funded program The following costs will vary depending on what facilities charge us to rent field space, medical staff needed and what Region charges us to send players to Camp and other competitive events The tryout fee is $50;U13-17 players being selected to the Final State Team will pay a State Fee, Event fees and a Region ID Camp fee which could total up t approximately $1650 The U12 players’ cost will be somewhere around $700.00 ODP does offer scholarships The scholarship application will be emailed to you if your child is selected to the Final State Team for their respective age group What are the Regional Camps? Does everyone on the roster get to participate? US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each of which offers a Regional ID Camp in each eligible age group for the state association ODP teams in that Region The Region ID Camp is an opportunity for NJYS ODP players to be identified by Regional ODP and US National Coaches, and considered for inclusion on the Region Pools and National Youth Teams The camps are designed to provide high-level competition and training for participating players During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible national team camp, pool, or team participation Region establishes all of the costs, policies and procedures pertaining to the Region ID camp All players selected to the Final State Teams are invited and strongly encouraged to compete at the Region ID Camps 10 What is a National Camp, how much does it cost? National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations throughout the United States The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coaches are present at these events to observe, train, and identify players for placement in the National Pool or on a US National Youth Team Candidates identified at regional events may be invited to attend a national camp Costs are mainly travel costs 11 My child was selected to the Regional Pool/Call Back or invited to a National Camp in their age group, what now? First of all congratulations are in order for your child, this is a huge accomplishment to be identified amongst the best players in the Region as a player that has the potential to one day represent the USA in international competition! NJYS ODP Players identified are exempt from trying out at the July/August for the following season’s Initial State Pool and are required to attend the Final State Team trials Players must register for the following ODP season to be eligible for the following ODP season’s roster 12.How many players can go to the US Youth Soccer Region ODP Tourney? (historically held at Rider University, Bordentown, NJ or Mercer County Park in Hamilton, NJ) Region policy limits the state ODP rosters for the Region Tournament to 18 players per game A different 18 can be rostered to each game The U13 and U14 boys and girls have teams and play in a round robin format 13.We never received an invoice? Who we make payment out to and where we send it? You can pay all your fees on line by e-check or credit card A payment plan can be set up with the New Jersey Youth Soccer Office (please contact Samatha 609490-0725) If writing a check it should be made out to New Jersey Youth Soccer and mailed to New Jersey Youth Soccer, Attn: Sam-ODP, 569 Abbington Drive, East Windsor, NJ 14.I filled out the paperwork that was required for my child to continue in the tryout process – medical release, medical history, player code of conduct and other pertinent forms, where I send it? This paperwork IS TO BE SENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEW JERSEY YOUTH SOCCER OFFICE BY OCTOBER 1, 2012 YOU MUST MAIL US ALL THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK, SIGNED AND DATED – WE WILL NOT ACCEPT FAXED, SCANNED EMAILED COPIES PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR OF THE FRONT AND BACK OF YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE CARD AND A LIST OF YOUR IMMUNZATION RECORDS IF INCOMPLETE IT WILL BE MAILED BACK TO YOU! ... and Aug 4, 5, 20 12 September 20 12 October 20 12 February 20 13 April 20 13 April –May April - June June 1? ?2 June 7-9 20 12? ? ?20 13 Calendar Initial State Pool Tryouts: 20 00-1996 Boys and Girls Age Groups... Regional Camps in July 20 13 20 12? ? ?20 13 Eligible Birth Year Age Groups: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 20 00 (we offer a 20 01 Developmental Program in the late Spring ONLY) For the 20 12? ? ?20 13 ODP Season, the... 1996 Call Back Camp: July 20 13 Rider University July 27 , 28 and Initial State Pool Tryouts for 20 13 -20 14 Season: August 3, 4, 20 12 Boys and Girls 20 01-1997 Age Groups How much does the program cost?