US Soccer has today announced the first 25 youth clubs to be awarded a place in the prestigious Girls' Development Academy. The Academy initiate was d
US Soccer has today announced the first 25 youth clubs to be awarded a place in the prestigious Girls’ Development Academy. The Academy initiate was designed to enhance the development of world-class youth female players and competition is set to begin in the fall of 2017. The 25 clubs awarded places in the Academy are among the most preeminent in the nation.
The core of the Academy program focuses on shifting everyday club environments to optimize elite female youth player development by increasing the ratio of training to competitive matches, and playing fewer, more meaningful games overall. Additionally, the Academy program provides coaching development assistance, and promotes best practices.
Since 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has served as the elite male youth playerdevelopment model for the country and has significantly improved the everyday environment forplayers, coaches, referees and clubs. The Girls’ Development Academy will be structured with many ofthe same principles and will begin play in the fall of 2017.
“Launching a Girls’ Development Academy is part of an unprecedented commitment to elevating thewomen’s game,” said U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director April Heinrichs. “The DevelopmentAcademy program will offer clubs support and education to positively impact the development ofplayers and coaches throughout the country.”
Six NWSL sides are included amongst the 25 clubs initially accepted, as well as two MLS clubs. California is the best represented single sate, boasting an impressive seven of 25 inductees.
Beach SC (Torrance, Calif.)
