Update on U.S. Soccer’s Girls’ Development Academy
The future of girls soccer and the dominance of the USA in women’s soccer is being actively protected by U.S. Soccer and the long awaited roll out of the USSF Girls Development Academy has begun. U.S. Soccer has released updated information on the Girls’ Development Academy, part of U.S. Soccer’s global leadership position in women’s soccer which connects the long-term plan to improve player and coach development. The mission of the program is to provide education, resources and support to directly impact the everyday environment for clubs to develop world-class female players.
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy will host a series of webinars to provide interested clubs with more information about the application process and answer questions concerning the program. Please register in advance for the webinar via the links below.
- Webinar Session 1: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 1 p.m. CT
- Webinar Session 2: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. CT
- Webinar Session 3: Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 1 p.m. CT
The idea behind creating the USSF Girls’ Development Academy was to provide the top level, elite female player with the best possible environment for player development — a model in which players can focus on training with the appropriate number and level of games. Similar to the Boys Development Academy, the highest level girl youth soccer players will be removed from the main stream of youth soccer and participate in fewer youth soccer games with no commercial youth soccer tournaments.
As U.S. Soccer says, “This model focuses on developing the individual player within the club environment, which allows for additional training sessions per season to enhance player development.
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy Staff has prepared a list of USSF Girls DA Frequently Asked Questions to help youth soccer clubs, coaches, players and parents interested in learning more on the new Girls’ Development Academy program. Here is an excerpt of a few questions:
What is the Development Academy?
After studying player development models domestically and internationally, U.S. Soccer collaborated with elite soccer clubs across the nation to create a program to provide the proper environment by emphasizing quality training and limited meaningful competition.”
Why is U.S. Soccer creating a Girls’ Development Academy?
We want to provide a player centered program that is focused on the development of the individual without bias, distractions, self-interests and financial gains that compromise the optimal everyday environment. We also believe this is needed so we continue to set the standard for world-class players.”
How much are Academy clubs required to travel?
Academy clubs can expect approximately 15 away games in a given season, some of which will require overnight travel. Exact travel distances will vary between clubs depending on their geographic proximity to their conference opponents and Academy events.
If you are a player that is interested in participating in the program, you may reach out to a club directly, once selected clubs are announced online. The program will feature three combined age groups in the Girls’ Development Academy: Under-14/15, Under-16/17 and Under-18/19.
Club Applications will open online on May 2, 2016 at 10 a.m. CT and there is a huge number of clubs expected to apply.
U.S. Soccer Timeline for the Girls Development Academy:
- May 2, 2016 – Club Applications Open Online
- May 3 – 19, 2016 – Webinar Information Sessions for Interested Clubs
- July 1, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. CT – Last day to submit an application. Clubs will be selected on a rolling basis throughout the remainder of the 2016 calendar year
- September 1, 2017 – Start of the 2017-2018 Girls’ Development Academy season
How will youth soccer clubs be selected? U.S. Soccer will evaluate youth soccer clubs on past performance of player development, overall talent pool and coaching qualifications as well as the following areas:
The Academy will use the following criteria when evaluating the application of each club for membership*:
- Leadership of the club and quality of the coaching staff.
- Desire to embrace and promote the core values of the program.
- U.S. Soccer license levels of coaching staff.
- Infrastructure of the club and the resources currently being invested in development (facilities, scholarships, staff to player ratio, etc.).
- History of player production for youth National Teams, the Women’s National Team, and professional leagues.
- Market with player depth, geographic location, proximity to other elite clubs and travel implications.
General questions can be directed to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Staff at girlsacademy@ussoccer.org.
Related Article: U.S. SOCCER’S GIRLS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY AND ECNL
* Editorial Note: The criteria for the evaluation of each club was corrected/updated on 4.29.16 as of 6 AM PST
