ODP (Olympic Development Program)
Greg Harris ODP Head Coach
Preston Wright, ODP Administrator
Vicky LaChance ODP Girls Administrator
Carroll Walls ODP Boys Administrator
Visit the Region III ODP Website
Congratulations 2007/08 Players selected to the Regional Pool or Team:
Taylor Hart - 91B: made 91 pool team and will play on the Region III team in Costa Rica.
John Lung Aho - 92B: made 92 pool team and will participate in the Inter-Regional event in Florida.
Robert Carson - 95B: made 95 pool team and will participate in the Thanksgiving ODP tournament in Florida.
Noah Findlay - 95B: made the 95 pool team.
Brook Ballard - 93G: made 93 pool team
Our Mission To identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the Arkansas and Region III ODP teams. Our Purpose The Arkansas US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a regional team will be selected for national competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected, and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching. Player Identification All players are encouraged to attend as many tryout sessions as possible, although it is not necessary to attend every session. It is required to attend the final tryout in Burns Park on January 11, 2009. We encourage coaches of competitive players to assist in this process of identification of our truly elite Arkansas players. Competitive coaches may be contacted by the State Team Age Group Coach and asked to give their recommendations of talented players on their team. Coaches are encouraged to complete the player recommendation form. Player Selection Upon completion of tryouts approximately 24 players will be selected to represent the Arkansas State Pool for their respective age group. This pool will be announced mid January. The State Pool will train and compete in the spring until final selection of 18 players and 6 alternates. This final selection is for the State Team to represent Arkansas in regional competition. Training Training will take place once a month in the spring. Please check the ASSA website for field location and times. Competition If scheduling permits games may be arranged against neighboring states. At the Regional Camp in July, Arkansas State Teams will compete against the rest of the southern states. Regional Camp US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions; each offers a region camp for Youth Association State Teams (ODP) in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high level competition. Players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified and selected for National Pool and National Team participation. National Camp National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train, and identify players for placement in the National Pool or on the National Team. Benefits of the State Select Team Program (ODP)? For the truly gifted and committed soccer player the State Team program is very beneficial to each and every player involved. Players are given greater exposure to college, regional and national coaches. The experience is challenging playing with the top players from around the state and competing against the best of the best from the south. It pushes you to another standard beyond the local level from state competition to regional pool to regional team to national pool and team. Moreover, the experience of playing with new players that compete against you from other club teams is socially rewarding. The increased responsibility and self discipline required to be successful at this level teaches life lessons that are invaluable for many years.
