HTRSA Represented on NJ ODP Team

What is the Olympic Development Program

The US Soccer Olympic Development Program (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 a 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.

Each state soccer organization has an ODP program with NY, CA, PA, and TX having multiple regional teams.  ODP teams are selected based on “the four main components that make up a soccer player,” including: technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability, and psychological component (attitude).  State ODP teams participate in regional tournaments and matches.  From the state teams, regional teams are selected in the “East”, “Midwest”, “South”, and “West”.  Players that are selected for regional camps participate in interregional events and tournaments.  From the regional teams, players are invited to participate in the ODP National team.  The National team participates globally against international competition.

ODP and HTRSA

HTRSA has sent many players over the years to participate in the NJ ODP program.  We have sent coaches to lead ODP teams.  Since the previous travel program folded at HTRSA in 2019 and reformed in 2022 HTRSA and Hamilton Soccer Club (HSC) has not had any representation at the ODP level.

This year a HTRSA/HSC player, Ashton of the 2013 Renegades, made the NJ ODP 2013 Boys Team for the 24/25 season that runs from September thru June. 

He will be participating in 7 tournaments during that cycle. Traveling to North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and (2) New Jersey. 

Selection

The selection process included participating in a stage one tryout which consisted of around 160 players. The tryouts were held over two weekends and consisted of four sessions in total. Ashton was one of the players skilled enough to move onto the second stage.

The second stage was invitation only based on performance in the four key areas of ODP in the initial tryouts. Stage two saw half of the stage one players not being asked back and two additional training sessions were conducted.

Players were rated over all six sessions and given a player rating.  The results of these ratings were used to create the final ODP team. 

Why is this important to HSC and HTRSA? 

Ashton’s roots started in the recreational organization. His love for the game has grown there and only matured more with his exposure through HSC and outside Academy teams. 

As a player his soccer fundamentals were instilled in the travel program. His determination and grit was fueled in his first season after suffering ten losses on his first official competitive team. His growth from past to present has deep roots in our organization and is a perfect example of what our organization should strive for while developing children. 

https://www.soccerwire.com/news/what-exactly-is-us-youth-soccer-odp