|
Youth Soccer News: First id2 Program Training Camp Concludes
The first of two fall 2011 id2 Program Training Camps recently concluded in Zarephath, N.J. The camp, which is part of US Club Soccer’s id2 National Player Identification and Development Program, drew 115 boys born in 1998-99 and girls born in 1997-98 for four days of training and off-field sessions between October 13 and 16. On hand for the camp were top U.S. Soccer staff members, athletes and trainers such as Women’s Development Director Jill Ellis, U.S. Women’s National Team player Lindsay Tarpley, and Mark Williams of the Athlete Development Institute.
The age groups for this camp were chosen in order to align with scouting priorities for the U.S. Soccer U14 National Teams. US Club Soccer id2 Boys’ Program Director Gerry McKeown was very pleased with the results of the camp. “The overall level of play at the camp was very strong and we were able to see many players who would be a good fit for the upcoming id2 National Selection International Tour to Spain,” he said in a release to the media.
 “We were very happy with the progress that the players made throughout the camp as the guys were able to learn new things and improve over the four days,” McKeown continued. “Having [U.S. Soccer Technical Advisor] Chris Brewer talk to the players about the mentality required to reach the national team was also an eye-opening discussion for the boys that will hopefully be remembered after they go home.”
McKeown, id2 Girls’ Program Director Rory Dames and 15 top coaches from around the country worked with the players during the camp. Areas of focus for training included technical, tactical and psychological requirements for success and development at the national level. As a part of the training, Williams spoke to players about developing soccer-specific speed, agility and strength. He also led players through an on-field session to help reinforce proper techniques to improve these areas.
WNT Development Director Ellis spoke about the benefits for all involved with the camp. “These are great events for us to come out and see not just the players, but the coaches, and see what sort of things are happening out there in our youth soccer environment,” she said. “These are players that obviously we’ll be looking at to bring into our camps and get into our youth environments.”
Girl’s Program Director Dames was delighted to have Ellis and Tarpley on hand to encourage and inspire the young players. “As the camp progressed and the players became more comfortable with their surroundings, these players were really able to show off their skills and demonstrate their quality,” said Dames. “The presence of Jill Ellis and Lindsay Tarpley also created a great opportunity for the players to learn from people at the very top level of the game about what it takes to become a U.S. Women’s National Team player.”
Many past attendees of the id2 Regional Training Camps have gone on to play in the U.S. Soccer National Team programs. In February, a select group of 18 boys from the fall training camps will have the opportunity to take part in the third annual id2 National Selection International Tour to Spain. During the ten-day trip, the boys will take part in training and scrimmages with several top Spanish clubs and attend selected professional matches. The next id2 Program Training Camp will take place in Frsco, Texas, from November 10-13 and will be open to 1998-99 boys and 1997-98 girls.
The 2011-12 id2 Program will feature boys born in 1998-99 and girls born in 1997-98. The program will include four id2 Program Training Camps, the National Selection International Tour and the ECNL/id2 Program National Training Camp for girls. 2011-12 id2 Program Details:
id2 Program Training Camps for 1998-99 boys and 1997-98 girls:
• Oct. 13-16 at the PDA Soccer Complex in Zarephath, N.J. (boys and girls)
• Nov. 10-13 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas (boys and girls)
• Spring Camp #1 (specific dates and location TBA)
• Spring Camp #2 (specific dates and location TBA)
2012 id2 National Selection International Tour for 1997-98 boys:
• Feb. 17-27, 2012 – Spain
2012 ECNL/id2 National Program Training Camp for girls:
• Early 2012 (specific dates and location TBA)
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in all 50 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id2.
Established in 2004, US Club Soccer’s id2 National Identification and Development Program provides an opportunity for the country's elite youth soccer players to be identified and developed, while also being scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs. A comprehensive national scouting and recommendation program is used to form a player pool from which top players are invited to attend an id2 Program Training Camp.
With the exception of personal travel costs to get to the program, there is no cost to the player to be scouted or recommended for the id2 Program. The id2 Program is open to all players regardless of U.S. Soccer affiliation.
Related Articles: id2 Spain Tour on SoccerNation |
ShareThis
Print
