NH Soccer Association
Olympic Development Program
Program Information
What is ODP?
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a national identification and development program that identifies youth soccer players throughout the country, to represent their state association, region and the US National Youth Teams in international soccer competitions.
ODP teams are formed at the state and regional levels, made up of the best players in various age groups. At the state association level, pool of players are identified in each eligible age group and brought together as a team to develop their skills through training and competition. From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.
What are the Goals of ODP?
- To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a United States National Team will be selected for international competition.
- To provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels.
- Through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
Who is Eligible?Any soccer player who is a New Hampshire resident and in good standing with the NHSA is eligible for consideration in the ODP provided that he/she meets the age requirements for the established age groups. A player may try out in the state association in which he or she is eligible to be registered; a player may not try out for the ODP in more than one state association.
How are players selected?
Players are selected, in New Hampshire, on the basis of open tryouts, which are held in late summer and early fall. These tryouts are conducted by the state association coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills.
Selection of these players is not an easy task. The state association head coach or State Coach has sole responsibility for final selections, but will, in most cases, be assisted in the selection process by several other qualified coaches from the club or league level. Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player: technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability, psychological component (attitude).
Players that meet the expectations of the winter training pool are invited to join the NH Futures Winter Training Program. Each age group has between 20 and 30 players in the winter training program. The NH Futures program is the working pool for the selection of the NH ODP State Teams in March.
Meanwhile, players who where unable to attend the open tryouts can contact the NH ODP Administrative Director to set up a tryout during the winter training sessions. At the conclusion of the winter training sessions, the NH ODP State Teams are selected.
At the completion of the NH Futures Winter Training Program, in early March, the state head coach select the NH ODP State Team. The team consists of 20 players (18 field players and 2 GKs). The state team will begin outdoor training in early April in preparation for the regional ODP events, including the Regional mini-camp, Region 1 ODP Tournament and the Region 1 ODP Identification Camps.
What do ODP players do?
Upon selection, a NH ODP player is expected to participate in all activities of their team. These activities may include exhibition matches, invitational tournaments and sub-regional and regional camps. If players are not available for specific event, they may be replaced by another player from their player pool.
Players should be serious about their participation, and should be committed to improving their individual skills as well as improving as a team player. Players are subject to the ODP Code of Conduct upon entry into the program; among other things, the Code prohibits the use of drugs and alcohol by ODP players, and violation of the Code’s provisions are reasons for immediate termination of a player’s participation in ODP.
What are Regional Tournaments and Camps?
US YOUTH SOCCER is divided into four regions, each of which offers regional tournaments and camps for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. These events are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a high level of play are identified for possible national camp, pool or team participation. Each region varies somewhat as to the specifics and the cost of their camps. The Region 1 Tournament is typically held on the first or second weekend in June; and Region 1 Camps are typically four day events held in mid-July (see the Region 1 web site atwww.region1.com for more information).
What is a National Camp?
National Camps and Inter-regional 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 identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.
What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
What is the structure of the NH ODP ( for both boys and girls)?
The State ODP teams are grouped by birth year of the player. This process is different than the club soccer and school model. Therefore, there will be players who will qualify for one age group for ODP, but another age group for their club soccer team.
What are the costs of participating in the NH ODP?
Costs for ODP include registration fees, facilities fees, uniforms, and the costs of regional camps and tournaments. In general a player can expect to pay approximately $1000 over the course of a full ODP season (November to July). Aid based on financial need are reviewed and rewarded by the NHSA Executive Board for the benefit of NH ODP players; fundraising opportunities are also available.
What is the schedule of NH ODP?
Who are ODP Staff Coaches, and what are their qualifications?
ODP Staff Coaches are a carefully selected group dedicated to the development of youth soccer players and to the game of soccer in New Hampshire; they are youth, club, high school, college, professional and national team coaches. Typically ODP Staff Coaches have played the game at a high level themselves (collegiately and/or professionally), have had considerable soccer-coaching experience, and hold at least a USSF "C" Coaching License, or a NSCAA National Diploma – most hold the highest levels of coaching licenses.
Will participation with a NH ODP team conflict with club soccer?
The NH ODP strives to honor the good work of club soccer in this state as best as possible, and strives to work in conjunction with clubs to identify the top players in New Hampshire. New initiatives established for the 1999/00 season, and revisited in 2013, are meant to improve relations between club and ODP even further, including designated club and ODP practice days, and scheduling in conjunction with each other. Club participation should be a priority, and ODP should be understood as a supplement to and opportunity for top club player’s development.
The New Hampshire Soccer Association would like to encourage you to participate in the Olympic Development Program. Do not be discouraged if you fail to make the program in a given year. A number of our past and current National Team players did not make the program on every attempt. The NH ODP wish you the best in your efforts, and looks forward to seeing you "on the pitch!"
For more information interested players should contact NH ODP Director, Jeff Cousineau; jeffrey.cousineau@comcast.net
What do ODP players do?
Upon selection, a NH ODP player is expected to participate in all activities of their team. These activities may include exhibition matches, invitational tournaments and sub-regional and regional camps. If players are not available for specific event, they may be replaced by another player from their player pool.
Players should be serious about their participation, and should be committed to improving their individual skills as well as improving as a team player. Players are subject to the ODP Code of Conduct upon entry into the program; among other things, the Code prohibits the use of drugs and alcohol by ODP players, and violation of the Code’s provisions are reasons for immediate termination of a player’s participation in ODP.
What are Regional Tournaments and Camps?
US YOUTH SOCCER is divided into four regions, each of which offers regional tournaments and camps for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. These events are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a high level of play are identified for possible national camp, pool or team participation. Each region varies somewhat as to the specifics and the cost of their camps. The Region 1 Tournament is typically held on the first or second weekend in June; and Region 1 Camps are typically four day events held in mid-July (see the Region 1 web site atwww.region1.com for more information).
What is a National Camp?
National Camps and Inter-regional 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 identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.
What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
- Development as a player via the opportunity to train and play with the best players in one’s age group.
- Quality instruction from state, regional and national team nationally licensed coaches.
- Quality competition via games against other state association ODP teams.
- The opportunity to represent one’s state, region or country in competition.
- Exposure to college coaches.
What is the structure of the NH ODP ( for both boys and girls)?
The State ODP teams are grouped by birth year of the player. This process is different than the club soccer and school model. Therefore, there will be players who will qualify for one age group for ODP, but another age group for their club soccer team.
- U12 State pool Team (born in year 2003)
- U13 State pool Team (born in year 2002)
- U14 State pool Team (born in year 2001)
- U15 State pool Team (born in year 2000)
- U16 State pool Team (born in year 1999)
- U17 State pool Team (born in year 1998)
What are the costs of participating in the NH ODP?
Costs for ODP include registration fees, facilities fees, uniforms, and the costs of regional camps and tournaments. In general a player can expect to pay approximately $1000 over the course of a full ODP season (November to July). Aid based on financial need are reviewed and rewarded by the NHSA Executive Board for the benefit of NH ODP players; fundraising opportunities are also available.
What is the schedule of NH ODP?
- Initial tryouts in September to establish age-group pools of 20 to 30 players. Winter training groups are referred to as NH Futures.
- Winter indoor training and play of age-group pools, and open tryouts by scouting or referral, meeting eight times between November and early March, typically every other Sunday morning.
- Spring training of age-group teams (18 players plus 2 or 3 alternates) begins with a few indoor sessions in late March, then moves outdoors in April through May. The outdoor sessions are held weekly on Wednesday nights. Spring training is a combination of training sessions and friendly matches against neighboring state ODP teams and other quality club teams. Ultimately, the spring training time is used to prepare for the Region 1 ODP Tournament in June.
- Regional Identification Camps are held in early July (see the Region 1 web-site atwww.region1.com for more information).
Who are ODP Staff Coaches, and what are their qualifications?
ODP Staff Coaches are a carefully selected group dedicated to the development of youth soccer players and to the game of soccer in New Hampshire; they are youth, club, high school, college, professional and national team coaches. Typically ODP Staff Coaches have played the game at a high level themselves (collegiately and/or professionally), have had considerable soccer-coaching experience, and hold at least a USSF "C" Coaching License, or a NSCAA National Diploma – most hold the highest levels of coaching licenses.
Will participation with a NH ODP team conflict with club soccer?
The NH ODP strives to honor the good work of club soccer in this state as best as possible, and strives to work in conjunction with clubs to identify the top players in New Hampshire. New initiatives established for the 1999/00 season, and revisited in 2013, are meant to improve relations between club and ODP even further, including designated club and ODP practice days, and scheduling in conjunction with each other. Club participation should be a priority, and ODP should be understood as a supplement to and opportunity for top club player’s development.
The New Hampshire Soccer Association would like to encourage you to participate in the Olympic Development Program. Do not be discouraged if you fail to make the program in a given year. A number of our past and current National Team players did not make the program on every attempt. The NH ODP wish you the best in your efforts, and looks forward to seeing you "on the pitch!"
For more information interested players should contact NH ODP Director, Jeff Cousineau; jeffrey.cousineau@comcast.net