(August 31, 2005) US Soccer, the governing body for the sport of soccer in the United States, provided new criteria for member organizations that operate Olympic Development Programs (ODP). Currently, the USL Super Y-League and US Youth Soccer operate ODP programs and events for the youth in the United States. The below information provides the background and the pertinent criteria for US Soccer member organizations that operate ODP programs and events.

 

The goal of US Soccer’s Olympic Development Program is to provide a framework and structure that allows programs and events to help identify, evaluate, and develop players for the National Teams Program. The overall objective is to coordinate, oversee, and monitor these initiatives on a continued and consistent basis, in order to ensure players are properly integrated into the National Team program.

 

To combat any confusion that may exist among participants, all Olympic Development Programs and Events must use the same terminology and designations. No Olympic Development Program will use the term “National” or any like term to describe an ODP team, player, or coach. As an example, National ODP Select Team, ODP National All-Star, Nationwide Select Team Coach and other such references will not be allowed. This is to ensure a complete understanding of what the Olympic Development Program is and to ensure that there is no confusion created between U.S. Soccer’s National Teams and an ODP Select Team. An organization may refer to their team as an ODP Select Team and players as ODP Select Team players. The only use of “National” that will be permitted is in reference to a “National Camp”.

 

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) owns the commercial rights for the use of the word “Olympic” and the intent of allowing the use of the word Olympic is for training and development purposes, not for commercial exploitation. Thus, each program must ensure that their use of the logo, words, and slogan Olympic Development Program or Olympic Development Event is not associated with any commercial partners. This is critical for the USOC and they may revoke the right to use the words “Olympic” and “Olympic Development” if this commitment is not followed.

 

As an additional review of the components of the Olympic Development Program, US Soccer has put together the following framework, which will provide an overview of the Program and highlight criteria for ODP status.

 

There are two classifications for Olympic Development efforts – Programs and Events. A “Program” is defined as a broad-based plan for elite player development across both genders, which includes a multi-level selection process, multiple age groups, and geographic regions. An “Event” is defined as a competition or tournament, which may be a stand-alone event or part of a league (i.e. –Championships) or other player development program.

 

Selection Criteria and Procedures for Olympic Development Coaching Appointments (Regional Level or Above)

A component of the USOC’s approval of Olympic Development Programs is ensuring that the coaching staff is qualified to instruct elite-level players. To that end, US Soccer has worked with the USOC to put together the following criteria for all ODP coaching appointments at the Regional Level and above. Each coach must be re-nominated by the appropriate organization member each year, prior to August 1. (A grace period will extend to December 1 in 2005.)

ABOUT THE USL SUPER Y-LEAGUE
The future of soccer lives in the USL Super Y-League, a professionalized system that is the first step for developing youth soccer players in North America. Affiliated with US Soccer and partnered with US Club Soccer, the league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. Through Olympic Development (ODP) status programs and events such as the North American Finals and National ODP Camps, the nation's top players are selected for US National Team Programs. The league is made up of a series of regional leagues within the framework of a North American league containing the top clubs and players from the United States and Canada.