SoccerToday Exclusive Spotlight: Youth Soccer in America
SoccerToday is running a new series looking at youth soccer across the nation. Are there differences in training? Who are the influencers in different areas? Millions of kids are happily becoming youth soccer players in the USA. Having looked at soccer in California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Utah and Tennessee, here’s the inside scoop on youth soccer in Pennsylvania with Paul Halford, the Director of Coaching at PA West.
One of the 15 state associations in U.S. Youth Soccer Region I, Pennsylvania West Youth Soccer currently has a membership of over 48,000 players. In the youth division, there are six districts represented—each including a varying number of clubs.
PA West Soccer runs an Olympic Development Program (ODP) geared towards identifying and developing youth players who can represent the state association on a regional and national level in youth soccer competitions. For this elite level of training, players are brought together in age groups to develop and hone their skills.
PA West Soccer has a track record of successful player development and is proud to call USWNT defender and World Champion Meghan Klingenberg as one of their own – a former member of the PA West ODP.
PA West Soccer has accomplished coaches helping train the next generation of soccer players. This year has been rather successful for Pennsylvania West Youth Soccer as five teams advanced to the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships—with three of girls’ team moving onto to US Youth Soccer’s Nationals.
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo spoke with the Director of Coaching, Paul Halford, about the state of youth soccer in Pennsylvania.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the role of your US Youth Soccer Association in youth soccer today?
Paul Halford: To guide and facilitate the child’s development as a youth soccer player.
Diane Scavuzzo: What does Player Development mean to you? What type of environment is best for developing players?
Paul Harford: Some of our clubs think that winning tournaments is player development but real player development takes time.
The best environment for youth soccer players would be less pressure to win with more appropriate practice and less games on the weekend.
Diane Scavuzzo: How large is your ODP program? Currently 323 players are eligible to attend Region III trials in July. How many players/coaches were involved last season?
Paul Halford: PA West’s ODP program worked with 700 boys and girls and 36 coaches.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many female coaches are there in your state? Do female coaches face any special challenges?
Paul Halford: I have 15 female ODP coaches, and unfortunately I am not sure what the total # is in PA West.
Diane Scavuzzo: Any thoughts on when soccer parents think winning is more important than their kids do? What does the impact of the soccer sideline have on players and youth soccer coaches?
Paul Halford: This starts at the youngest ages. Soccer parents behavior on the sideline can be very disruptive for the child but parents often do not realize this. They simply don’t think so!!
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you become involved with soccer? Why?
Paul Halford: I started playing soccer in the street and park when I was nine or ten years old. Not much else to do in those days!!
Diane Scavuzzo: Why do you do what you do? What inspires you?
Paul Halford: It gives me great pleasure to see kids succeed in the sport.
Diane Scavuzzo: If you look back, when did your passion for soccer start?
Paul Halford: When I was very young and was playing for the school team.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your favorite soccer team? Who do you root for behind closed doors?
Paul Halford: EPL’s Manchester United
Diane Scavuzzo: Where did you train as a youth soccer player?
Paul Halford: I trained with the local youth soccer club in my area.
Diane Scavuzzo: If you look back at your career, what is the one thing you would change, if you could?
Paul Halford: I would have been more serious about the game. It was a passion and a social avenue.
If I looked back on my soccer life and knew what I know now, maybe I could have worked on my game more — rather than party.
Photo Credit: PA West Facebook
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