New Development Player League (DPL) For Girls Extends DA Player Pools
Designed to fit directly under U.S. Soccer’s new Development Academy (DA) for Girls, the Development Player League (DPL) will serve as the platform for the extended player pool of current DA teams. The concept is simple — create a league to enable a smooth transition for players to become DP’s and extend the player pool — training with many of the same principles guiding the DA.
Youth Soccer News: As the inaugural season of U.S. Soccer’s Girls’ Development Academy (DA) prepares to kick off, clubs from the DA Southwest Division are also gearing up for its own Development Player League (DPL).
U.S. Soccer’ Girls Development Academy is part our country’s emphasis on long-term player development. A leader in the world of women’s soccer, the USA is determined to maintain its leadership and the Girls’s DA Program is focused on providing an optimal everyday training environment.
“The DPL is going to a very prestigious league with trainers, game day film, hydration stations, world class fields, and DA focused rules that help develop the coach and the players,” said Noah Gins, CEO/Executive Director Albion SC.
Working together in an collaborative effort to increase player development environments in the Southwest — a known hot bed of youth soccer talent — ten successful youth soccer clubs selected to be a part of the new U.S. Soccer Girls DAs joined forces and launched an option for their girl players who did not make the DA.
The idea is simple — create a league which can help the next tier of players flourish — and idea for the new Development Player League (DPL) was ignited.
When the DPL was announced, the ripple effect was felt far and wide.
This new girls-only league focuses on creating a pathway for players to progress, develop and be identified by creating a seamless bridge to the new U.S. Soccer Girls’s Development Academy.
“The DPL is a no brainer as it brings the DA clubs together and streamlines our approach to developing the top 40 players in the respective clubs vs 20 players,” says Gins.
Albion SC, LA Galaxy, Legends FC, LA Galaxy SD, Eagles SC, LA Premier FC, SC Del Sol, Beach FC, Real So Cal and Pateadores are all working together provide streamlined player development opportunities for girls seeking to make the transition to U.S. Soccer’s Girls Development Academy. While centered in Southwest now, the new league has received widespread interest from youth soccer clubs in the Girls’ DA throughout the Northwest.
The DPL is now a stand alone fully sanctioned Cal South league.
“Johnnie Garza, Executive Director of Cal South was very instrumental and a joy to work with in sanctioning this league,” said Gins. “The vision, the excitement, and the overall professional approach they showed our league was impressive.”
The question asked has been ‘Why start a new league? Is a new league necessary?’
Innovation and creativity had always enabled America to leap forward — and the entrepreneurial spirit is an intrinsic part of the DNA. It is this drive that has led to the launch of new youth soccer leagues in the past — several of which have revitalized the game and raised the bar on development.
According to Barry Ritson, Executive Director of LA Premier Sports, “By having the flexibility to modify the rules and regulations for our teams, the league will give a fantastic platform for the players that aspire to play at the highest level of the sport here in the USA, while placing collaborating clubs at the forefront of U.S. Soccer’s Player Development Initiative — to lead the way in our geographical areas.”
The DPL will soon demonstrate that it will be one of the best leagues in the country to help players prepare for U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy,” said Steve Sampson, former USA National Team Coach and Eagles SC Technical Director. “It will allow players to grow into DA roster spots and another avenue for U.S. Soccer to keep talented players on top of their game. It’s very exciting to see the efforts from top to bottom to keep the USA women’s program the best in the world.”
The DPL is being run by a Board of Directors and a Technical Committee made up of soccer leaders within the founding clubs. The league will also have representation from Cal South, and Steve Hoffman is being asked to sit on the Technical Committee.
“The DPL has the opportunity to further introduce into the Southern California landscape a framework for Elite Player Development guided by CalSouth and U.S. Soccer, and allows us to expand our Player Pools for our Development Academy for Girls,” Gins.
The new league will be administered by Blue Star Sports/Prime Time, a leader in sports technology and backed by the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones.
“The leadership from the DPL clubs have a great vision for player development in the region and we at Blue Star Sports’s Prime Time are pleased to partner with their league by providing event management services to build their strong platform,” said Brandon Hollmann, Chief Operating Officer of Prime Time Sports.
Details on the new girls youth soccer league – the DPL
Although mirroring the USSF DA in several ways, the players in the DPL will be able to play high school soccer. Teams will also be able to compete in US Youth Soccer’s National Championships on a local, regional and national level. In addition, these teams will participate in two major showcases — the November Silverlakes Showcase and March Las Vegas Showcase.
FULL COVERAGE ON THE DPL: YOUTH SOCCER CLUBS LAUNCH GIRLS DPL
Teams in the DPL will train with many of the same structures and principles as the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The DPL will be the platform for the extended player pool for the participating clubs and will provide a pathway for players to make the leap to the DA level of play.
Selected youth players will be designated as Development Players for their club’s DA teams. Each DA club will put in the following age groups 04, 03, 02, 01, 99/00.
The Development Player League (DPL) is designed to expand the Girls Development Academy (DA) player pool for participating clubs.
The league goal is to create a highly professional training environment and competitive model for aspiring DA players, bridging the gap between club soccer and Development Academy soccer. The game day environment will match the DA standards.
Quotes from participating youth soccer clubs – as seen in the exclusive SoccerToday article published in April:
Albion SC
“This league will provide a platform to prepare players to play up on DA level teams as well as gain great game day environments, play meaningful games, and allow the clubs to really focus on developing these players to their highest ability,” said Noah Gins, CEO/Executive Director Albion SC.
“The clubs participating in this league are committed to excellence, proper development and high level competition and I am very proud to have helped launch the DPL, giving opportunity for girls in all the organizations to further advance.”
Eagles SC
“The Development Player League is a fantastic compliment to the United States Soccer Development Academy,” said Steve Sampson, former USA National Team Coach and Eagles SC Technical Director. “We are so pleased to have our girls at the Eagles take advantage of this opportunity.”
Legends FC
“At Legends FC, we have been very attentive to our academy program as a whole. That incorporates the four U.S.Soccer Development Academy I teams, and the five DPL teams,” said Kevin Boyd, Academy Director at Legends FC.
“While the Academy I competitive game structure has been well known, the DPL has taken some work to accommodate the needs of the different clubs while offering a viable competitive environment. We feel this league fits the Legends Club perfectly. It offers the a competitive league environment while at the same time giving us the flexibility to let our teams compete in other events, such as National Cup. It is a tribute to all 10 directors that we were able to work together and create a league that fits all the different needs. We look forward to the DPL starting this fall!”
Beach FC
“This is an opportunity outside the DA for our ten clubs to work together creating quality competition and local showcase opportunities for our players. We don’t see this as an extension of anything, but rather as an opportunity for our second teams to have their own familiar pathway to reaching their club soccer goals,” says Mauricio Ingrassia, Technical Director of Beach Futbol Club. “Having ten DA clubs working together in the number one hotbed for youth soccer in the country is inspiring.”
LA Premier FC
“LA Premier FC is excited to come together with clubs in our conference to complete our Academy programming for the upcoming season,” said Barry Ritson, Executive Director of LAPFC. “Through conversations with our membership we quickly realized that there was a gap in our system with the implementation of the new U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy and after sharing those concerns with other DOC’s it became apparent that if we collaborate the gap can be closed.”
“This is a unique opportunity that we are thrilled to be able to offer to our players that wish to continue to play outside competition such as high school soccer and still be a part of our Academy structure.”
LA Galaxy
“This is a natural next step in our commitment to further enhance our player programming,” says Matt Tutton, LA Galaxy Technical Consultant.
“We always want to be on the forefront of development for our player pool and align ourselves with other people and clubs who believe in the same philosophies. With this league, I believe we are initiating a new a trend that could go nationwide and inspire other areas of the country to follow suit.”
LA Galaxy SD
“The Development Player League is a fantastic accomplishment for all the clubs involved, for the players is a great platform for them in there pursuit to becoming a DA player — we are all so excited for what is ahead for everyone,” said Michael Duggan, Academy Director of LA Galaxy SD.
“The DPL players will have the opportunity to develop at their own pace while still competing with and against top competition in Southern California as well as around the nation,” said Courtney Drummond, Assistant Academy Director. “Strategically this extends the player pool and makes team rosters more manageable as Developmental Players will be pulled from the DPL. Instead of carrying heavy rosters, where players aren’t getting proper playing time to develop, they can now be placed in the DPL program in an environment that will allow this growth.”
SC Del Sol
” SCdelSol is delighted and honored to be one of the founding members of the Player Development Program. We believe that the quality competition this league provides our players is a perfect compliment to the Girls Development Academy, ” said Les Armstrong, Girls Academy Director of SCdelSol.
Pateadores
“This is a great opportunity for all of our clubs. We can now extend the advantages of the Developmental Academy to even more of our members. We are thankful to the federation for supporting us in this venture,” says Jon Szczuka, Club Director of Pateadores.
Real So Cal
For more information visit www.dpleague.org or email info@dpleague.org
