About ODP
The Olympic Development Program was formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected, licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
>>About SCYSA State Select/ODP
Age Groups For Tryouts: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1995 (ONLY)
Who is eligible and how are players selected?
Any youth player (AGE ELIGIBLE) in South Carolina may tryout for a State Select Team in the above age groups. A pool of players will be chosen from these age groups at the State Team Trials. Players will be selected and invited to go on and compete at the Sub Regional Games (second tryout) in January after which a team and alternates will be selected for the State ODP Teams. These players will train on various dates and compete at Region III Camp in July of 2008. The exception will be the 1995 girls age group which will compete in a Sub Regional in June 2008.
What are the State Select Team player’s responsibilities?
Once chosen, a State Select/ODP Team player is expected to represent South Carolina at all events scheduled by the US Youth Soccer South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA) and USYS Region III. All players are selected on the basis of these tryouts and the games are conducted by experienced coaches who are recognized for their ability to work with players of exceptional skills. The State Select/ODP program is a self-funded program and costs will be defined as we go through the tryouts. Registration for State Team Trials is $85.00. (a nonrefundable $25.00 registration fee included.
What do State Team Trials, Sub Regional Games and the Region III camp accomplish?
The State Team Trials bring players from all over the state together to tryout and make the SCYSA player pool and advance to the Sub Regional Games in January. The Sub Regional allows South Carolina teams to compete with other states and be seen by Region III coaches while completing our tryout selection for the State Select/ODP Teams and our 1995 girls ODP Team Pool. Our Region III camp in July brings together players from within Region III - twelve state associations - and from this group a Region III Pool is chosen. Region III team players may become candidates for the National Pool and compete at the highest level of competition.
The Importance of ODP SoccerUS Youth Soccer ODP remains one of the best ways to continue to develop your level of play through the different events that are held throughout the year. Anytime you get together the best players in a large area, and as often as possible, it will only help players get better.
The higher up the ODP level you achieve the better the environment. Watching the Region camp pool games each evening at this past year's region camp, it was evident that these players are the best in Region-III (Southeastern USA) and that they are getting to play with and against the other best players throughout the Southeastern USA in their own age group. You learn to challenge yourself and get a measure as to where your stage of soccer development is at that particular time.
It is such a great way for each player, coach, parent and administrator to gauge each player on the field. This environment needs to be duplicated as many times as possible, so as each of these players will continue to get better!
The beginning of this process is the State Team Trials tryouts, and at this stage, players will hopefully learn more about themselves and their abilities as they strive to improve their game. Through US Youth Soccer ODP, each player has the advantage of being scouted by many college and university coaches throughout the country. Also, the US National team scouts are often in attendance at these regional ODP functions, and this added exposure is another benefit of the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.
My hope is that many of you will continue to tryout and go through the process and earnestly and honestly evaluate yourself as you strive to improve as a soccer player and an individual. Best Wishes to all of you in pursuit of this goal!
Shaun Docking
USYSA Region III Boy's ODP Coach
Head Coach Coastal Carolina University
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