'08/'09 ODP Camp Dates & Location Set
Seventh Super Y-League Olympic Development Camp moves to Tampa. Focal points include West Ham and U.S. Youth National Team scouting
USL News Release
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
TAMPA – United Soccer Leagues announced today that Tampa, Florida has been named the host city for the seventh annual Super Y-League Olympic Development Program National Camps. The first of two camps will begin on Thursday, February 19 and run through Sunday, February 22. That camp will consist of three girls’ groups: the oldest group will include girls born in 1992, the second group will be players who were born in 1993 and the youngest group will contain a combination of players born in 1994/1995.
The boys’ camp will be held the following weekend, beginning on Thursday, February 26 and continuing through Sunday, March 1. That camp will also consist of three groups, broken down into 1992 born players, 1993 born players and 1994/1995 born players.
 Both the girls and boys camps will be hosted by Ed Radice Sports Complex in Northwest Tampa, the same site as the upcoming 10th Annual Super Y-League North American Finals. During the camps, players will be housed at Mainsail Suites Hotel, just south of the fields at Ed Radice. The host city was chosen following successful runs with the 2006 USL Men’s Player Showcase and 2008 W-League Combine. During both of those events, players were housed at Mainsail Suites and bussed to the fields for training sessions and games.
“A more-select portion of Super Y-League players from the United States and Canada were chosen by USL’s National scouts this season,” said Jeff McRaney, USL’s Senior Director of Youth League Development. “Through numerous age group scouts and direct club nominations, the increased level of player evaluation during the Super Y-League regular season will allow the coaches at these camps to further integrate USL’s national identification system with the U.S. Youth National Team Coaches priorities. It also increases the level of international exposure available to our top players through initiatives with the West Ham Youth Academy.”
The list of players selected to attend these camps will be available within a week. Invitations and age group lists will follow and player registration will be finalized in November. If selected, the cutoff date to register for the February camps will be Friday, November 14.
Questions about the camps should be directed to Craig Hughes at ODP@USLSoccer.com or by calling 813.963.3909 X: 226.
About Super Y-League ODP National Camps
 Since the Super Y-League was first granted Olympic Development Program status in 2002, numerous players have been identified through the annual SYL ODP National Camps. Most notably, current U.S. U-20 National Team Players: Ellis McLoughlin (Washington Crossfire), Josh Lambo (Chicago Magic) and Matthew Uy (NY/LI Rough Riders).
In the past two seasons the Super Y-League’s representation within the U.S. Residency Program has grown by 33 players. Players with Super Y-League ties named to the program in 2008 include: John Agudelo (Red Bull New York), Joseph Gyau (D.C. United) and Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic) among others.
USL has extended invitations to both the West Ham Youth Academy and the U.S. Youth National Teams. U.S. National Staff Coach from Region II, Mike Dickey attended last season’s girls SYL ODP National Camps. Wilmer Cabrera, the current U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Head Coach, scouted players during last season’s boys SYL ODP National Camps.
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