COMP - ODP
What is ODP?
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is US Youth Soccer’s national identification and development program. The goal of the program is to identify the top players in each state, region and eventually the nation, providing them with opportunities to train and play at elite levels along the way.
Who is Eligible for ODP?
Age-appropriate players living or registered in Colorado are eligible to be recommended to the try out pool. ODP age groups are determined by birth year, not by the USYS age group they play in for league. For 2007-08, Colorado and Region IV will support programs in the 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 birth years.
How Are The State Pools And Teams Selected?
Club recommendations and scouting will be the primary methods of identification for the program. Clubs will be required to submit their recommendations for the pools to CYS by the end of August. Although there is no magic number of players to be recommended, CYS only wants the names of those players that fall within the top 30 players in the state. Nationally licensed staff coaches are used in the evaluation and scouting process throughout the year. In an effort to ensure the best players represent Colorado, players may be brought into the pool at any time. In March these pools will be narrowed to a final state pool from which teams will be selected to travel to the summer events.
How Will Players Know If They Have Been Selected For ODP?
Players will receive an invitation letter from CYS sometime at the end of September. The player recommendation list as provided by the Rush will be made available only to CYS. The Rush will not share with its membership which players have been recommended unless a player or parent of the player makes a specific request. At that time the Rush will disclose whether or not that specific player was on the list but will not provide any information regarding other Rush players. CYS makes the final decisions regarding which players get selected for the pool. After October 1st players are encouraged to talk to their head coach with any questions regarding the ODP selection process.
Pool and travel team selections will be posted on the CYS website as soon as they are available. Players are required to attend all sessions for their age group, stay updated on training schedules and paperwork deadlines and advise the head coach of his or her age group as soon as they are aware of a schedule conflict. Training dates/times/locations will be posted on the CYS website as well as recorded on the ODP hotlines (numbers will beavailable on the website) for each age group.
What Type Of Activities Do The Players Participate In?
Each age group coach will schedule training for his or her pool after the initial pools have been formed. When possible, teams/pools will schedule exhibition games for further development and evaluation. Training and games will be scheduled at times that minimize conflicts with a player's club commitments. Each age group will participate in a minimum of 2 major events per year. In past years Colorado teams have participated in the Region IV Championships (January-Las Vegas) and the Nike Friendship Cup (Memorial Day - Portland) in addition to the Region IV camp in June/July.
What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
> The opportunity to train and play with the best player's in one's age group
> Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches
> Quality competition. Games against other state association ODP teams
> Exposure to regional and national team coaches
> The opportunity to represent one's state, region, or country in competition
> Exposure to college coaches
For more information call the CYS office at 303-346-2777 or www.csysa.org
