Ava and Ken, two players on Chatham Soccer League’s U12 Classic level Red soccer team, were recently accepted to the Olympic Development Program (ODP)!
The Olympic Development Program, or ODP, is offered in conjunction with the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) and the national level U.S. Youth Soccer Association. The purpose of ODP is to provide high-level soccer training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching, and as the kids in the program get older, to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition.
Coaches may identify players they think may be a good fit, then nominate the players for ODP try-outs. But that does not mean the nominees are automatically accepted to ODP! Each player must attend a set of high-intensity try-outs, from which coaches around the state of North Carolina evaluate each player based on 4 main factors; 1. Technique, 2. Tactics, 3. Fitness and Athletic Ability, and 4, Psychological (Attitude). Coaches then choose those who receive acceptance into the ODP Program. Ava and Ken were both recently accepted!
Ava and Ken will receive great benefits from participating on ODP regional events in the coming year. They, and other Chatham Soccer League players who are part of the ODP program will have the opportunity to train with the best players in their age group in the state, and receive new coaching from top regional, state, national and college soccer coaches. They will have the opportunity to show their skills in games, joining in with a regional ODP team in their age division to play against other ODP teams.
Ava and Ken, and their coaches, Ascary Arias and Liz Arias, have lots to celebrate with their team, the Chatham Soccer League U12 Classic level Red. Besides Ava and Ken’s ODP acceptance, the U12 Classic Red team just completed their last regular Spring season game last Saturday, and the team was undefeated for the season!