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George Allen Scholarship Accepting Applications
Applications are being accepted for the 2013 round of the George Allen Scholarships.  Annually PA West Soccer awards a deserving boy and deserving girl a 1,000.00 scholarship to be used for their pursuit of a college education.

The scholarship is open to any high school senior registered with PA West Soccer as a player, coach, or referee.  The deadline to apply is April 29, 2013.  The application is available on the Forms Page.

PA West ODP Player Selected
Megan Bonelli (98 Girls) has been selected by Region I for an international trip. The 98 Girls Region I team will travel to Costa Rica February 14-21st. For full roster, check here.

PA West ODP Players Invited to National Training Camp
Savana Yurick and Kristen Swope ('97 Girls) have been invited to attend the 2013 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls National Training Camp, taking place January 31-February 2, at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz. For more details, click here.

PA West ODP Players to Represent Region I
Ten players from PA West Olympic Development Program have been invited to participate in Interregional events this November and December. Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train, and indentify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.

Megan Bonelli (98 Girls), Lauren Kovalchuk (95 Girls), and Veronica Latsko (95 Girls) attended the Thanksgiving Interregional in Boca Raton, FL from Nov 18-23.
 
Marc Alexander (98 Boys) attended the US Youth Soccer Thanksgiving Interregional in Casa Grande, AZ from Nov 23-26. Brennan Ireland (97 Boys) attended the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL Dec 13-16. Zachary Graziani (96 Boys), Vincent Barone (95 Boys), Sean Dickerson (95 Boys), Troye Kiernan (95 Boys), and Joshua Ott (95 Boys) attended the NCAA Interregional Event in Birmingham, AL Dec 6-9 in conjuction with the 2012 Men's College Cup.

What It Takes To Be A Successful Player
US Youth Soccer's former Technical Director John Ellinger offered a paper with insight into what it took to be a successful ODP player.  But the information in "What It Takes To Be Successful in US Youth Soccer ODP" can be used by any player to improve their game 

PA West and iSoccer Announce New Partnership
PA West and iSoccer both recognize the importance of raising the technical level of youth soccer players. iSoccer has developed an on-field assessment and online training platform to help make technical development engaging, fun and measurable. Check here for additional information and press release (PDF). 

PA West ODP Players Represent US Youth Soccer at Regional & National Events 
Calvin Boyle and Zachary Graziani were on the roster for the US Youth Soccer 96 ODP Boys Winter Interregional. US Youth Soccer ODP Girls National Camp had 3 players from PA West Soccer - 95 Sarah Kaiser, and 97's Kristen Swope and Savana Yurick. Representing the 94/95 Girls Region I Team on their International Trip to Russia taken in March were Olivia Brandy, Christi Chiesa, Veronica Latsko & Kristin Markiewicz.

ODP 'Common Thread' In National Team Identification
The U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program recently named 32 players selected to participate in the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The 32 players represent some of the nation’s finest, and in addition to their skills, determination and motivation to succeed, also share affiliation with US Youth Soccer, the nation's largest youth sports organization and home to elite programs such as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program and US Youth Soccer National League.

 

Of the 32 players named, 24 are current or former members of US Youth Soccer ODP. Eleven players headed to Bradenton participated in last year’s US Youth Soccer ODP Interregionals, an event that brings together the four regional US Youth Soccer ODP teams in front of collegiate and U.S. National Team scouts. Sixteen players from this year’s class will play for MLS youth teams this coming season.

 

The residency players live on campus at the IMG Academy and train daily under the guidance of Wilmer Cabrera and assistant coaches Paul Grafer and Erik Imler. Cabrera was a former US Youth Soccer ODP coach for Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association and Imler was a member of the North Carolina US Youth Soccer ODP staff.

 

"The majority of the players coming through to the national teams have experience playing at high levels around the country. Players in programs such as US Youth Soccer ODP are familiar with the standards required to compete at the highest level and when they come through to the national team they have an idea about what it will take for them and for our national teams to be successful," said U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera when asked what makes US Youth Soccer ODP a valuable program for players seeking advancement through the youth levels, specifically those seeking to be a part of the national team.

 

US Youth Soccer ODP is offered in every state, thus casting a nationwide net to find players capable of playing at the next level.

 

Cabrera added, "Competing on a national level is essential for players looking to reach the next level. Players who can test themselves against opposition on a state-wide or region-wide basis give themselves the best opportunity to improve and gain exposure, whether they ultimately go on to play college soccer, professional or with the national teams somewhere down the road."

 

All players were born in 1996 and are the first cycle to be eligible for 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

 

"Our organization is known for the best youth soccer in the country and our member clubs and coaches are to be commended for their efforts in developing the future of American soccer," said John Sutter, president of US Youth Soccer. "Our elite-level programs, such as US Youth Soccer ODP, US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and US Youth Soccer National League, continue to provide the highest level of development and visibility to our players across the country and assist to better prepare our national teams for competition."

 

The US Youth Soccer ODP was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a national team will be selected for international 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.

 

US Youth Soccer ODP is the original Olympic development program and is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and Women's Professional Soccer, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. US Youth Soccer ODP exists in every State Association and offers collegiate and national team staff coaches the opportunity to see the nation's elite players in the most competitive of environments. In addition to training and tactics, US Youth Soccer ODP also offers competitions such as regional and national championships as well as participation in international tournaments. US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way for elite player identification and development in the United States.

While in the full-time residency program, the U.S. team not only trains daily under Cabrera, but also has access to the IMG Academies facilities. The team regularly uses IMG’s state-of-the-art strength-training facilities, as well as some of the nation’s best sports psychologists that work at the Academy. The facilities include three Bermuda grass fields, an indoor dome with artificial turf, two swimming pools, newly renovated student housing and dining facilities.

Beginning in 1999, the Residency Program has given players an opportunity to grow and move up the ladder in the world of soccer and become professionals in Major League Soccer, some of the biggest clubs in Europe and even make an impact on the full U.S. Men's National Team. The program in Bradenton provides players with an environment where they can prosper as individual players and come together as a team ahead of regional and world competition.

Since its inception, more than 300 players have been through the full-time Residency Program, and more than 100 of those players have moved on to Major League Soccer, or the professional leagues in Europe. Twenty-four players have also registered at least one cap with the full Men’s National Team.

 

For more information on US Youth Soccer, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org. For more information on U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program, visit www.USSoccer.com. To see the current roster, click here.

PA West Soccer Position Statement On ODP-US Soccer Player Development Academy
Click Here to read the Position Statement.
 
ODP Important Part Of Indentification For U17 Residency Program
US Soccer has announced the 40 players selected to the U17 Residency Program held at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.  Of the 40 chosen to participate in this year's program, 31 participated in a US Youth Soccer ODP program.  Nine of the players recently participated in the US Youth Soccer Interregional event held in Orlando.  More
 
“Positive Parenting For Youth Soccer” Available From US Youth Soccer
With the release of the DVD “Positive Parenting For Youth Soccer,” US Youth Soccer and PA West Soccer further their commitment to creating a supportive environment for young athletes. The US Youth Soccer Coaching Education Department has created this ‘view from the sidelines’ in an effort to create a positive learning environment for those involved in the lives of young soccer players.

The Coaching Education Department is proud to provide a teaching tool designed for administrators, coaches, parents and anyone who cares about children to assist them in providing positive learning atmosphere for our children. The DVD will assist adults in helping young players play and keeping the fun in youth sports.
 
“The Positive Parenting for Youth Soccer DVD is yet another resource from US Youth Soccer to support the game for all kids,” said Sam Snow, director of coaching education for US Youth Soccer. “The DVD will contribute to a healthy and developmentally appropriate environment for youth soccer players.”

“Positive Parenting” discusses the practice and game environment as well as the ride home, each from the perspective of the players, referees and coaches.

PA West Soccer Youth Vice President Stan Hunter encourages everyone involved with younger players to take a look at US Youth Soccer’s latest offering, “This DVD is another step in a series of training tools provided by US Youth Soccer that are available to PA West Soccer members.  We urge all our clubs and/or parents to purchase a copy, review the valuable material, and implement its recommendations so that we may further enhance the development of our youth players.”
 
"Positive Parenting addresses positive behavior and supportive techniques to enhance the players’ enjoyment of the game,” said David Messersmith, president of US Youth Soccer.  “The DVD is reasonably priced so it can be used by everyone and we believe it to be an asset to those working with our youth players."
 
This presentation provides a unique blend of psychology/philosophy and interviews with children of various ages. This video provides insight on:
Why children play
Teaching sportsmanship by example
How to be supportive soccer parents
Developing vs. winning
Red cards for parents
Emotional needs of players
Keeping it all in perspective

To learn more about Positive Parenting for Youth Soccer visit USYouthSoccer.org. The US Youth Soccer Online Store also offers a number of resources for coaches, parents and soccer enthusiasts from DVDS, books, downloadable materials, articles on player development, coaching education and fitness to the latest news on the various programs offered by US Youth Soccer.

PA WEST COACHING AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MISSION STATEMENT
TO AID USSF, THE YOUTH AND AMATEUR DIVISIONS IN THEIR STATED AIMS, BY CREATING THE BEST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTH AND AMATEUR SOCCER PLAYER IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH:

Emphasizing that playing soccer should be made an enjoyable experience.

Encouraging the creation of age-appropriate environments through the use of small-sided games. 

Asking coaches to utilize appropriate teaching methods (age-appropriate activities and games), whilst letting the game be the teacher.

Increasing the awareness of safety issues/adult behavior issues.

Allowing participation in that level of competition that enables players to be challenged at their appropriate level....including the elite player.

Emphasizing player development over winning/losing, especially amongst younger players.

SPECIFICALLY OUR GOALS ARE TO:
Coaching Development
Improve the soccer education of coaches working with recreational players, with specific focus on those coaches new to soccer (U6 and U8).

Support the development of coaches working with 10-14 year olds, who are emphasizing "technical development in the game," through the provision of PA West Coaching Schools.

Identify and educate coaches who can enhance coaching development and player development programs.
 

Player Development
Enable 4 to 10 year old children in recreational soccer to have fun, to develop a passionate desire to play and to acquire new skills in age-appropriate environments.

Enhance the technical development of players by offering player development programs.

Support the player development efforts of clubs in older age groups by reducing conflicts/overlap with programs like the PA West Olympic Teams.

Make PA West Olympic Teams identification orientated, competitive and inexpensive.

Soccer Environment
Aid in the creation of "Fear Free" and age-appropriate environments for our younger players that prioritize player development over winning and/or large-sided games.

Develop competitions/awards that encourage/recognize skill development and the promotion of other "task goals" amongst PA West clubs and players.

Lobby clubs with older teams (U15+) to participate in the highest level of competition available (e.g. for elite players, regular participation in recognized regional leagues/tournaments).

Help the spread of soccer into all communities regardless of race, gender, disability, etc.

Encourage and nurture a passion for soccer amongst our member players, so that retention rates improve and the continued growth of the Amateur Division is enhanced.