DA dropping the U12 age group?
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Anonymous
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Coppied and pasted this from another thread because I think this deserves its own discussion:
Rumor: Announcement coming that, starting Fall 2019, USSF will cease DA programming for U12s. And then the underlying political rumor: Cordeiro promised state associations that he would reduce the DA's scope in order to secure their votes. I saw the same rumor on twitter, but no confirmation on the DA website. IMO this would be a big step backwards. If true, thanks again, Athlete's Council. |
Anonymous
| As a parent of an 08 child, I really hope this is not true. I've seen a copy and paste from the letter on other forums. I am hoping someone just made up the letter, but it doesn't look good. |
Anonymous
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Here's the whole announcement:
Dear Academy Clubs, U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around the world. At that time, the Academy Program was launched for male players in the U-15 to U-18 age groups. In 2013, the Academy expanded direct influence to include the U-13/14 age group, improving the everyday learning environments for younger players by bringing them in line with the Development Academy philosophy, based on international standards. Then, in 2016, the Academy expanded to include Zone 1 and help Clubs create better environments for developing younger players. To that end, U.S. Soccer introduced the Player Development Initiatives (PDI) simultaneous to the U-12 Academy launch, to help spread uniform, age-appropriate standards to impact player development nation-wide. Together, they set the benchmark and provided the example for all Clubs and leagues countrywide to achieve U.S. Soccer uniform standards. Since its introduction, here’s some of what the Academy U-12 program has provided to impact the development of players, coaches and Clubs: Created age-appropriate programming, training and game environments Streamlined individual players’ learning pathways Improved the quality of coaching for younger players by extending minimum coaching license requirements—B licenses for coaches and A licenses for Directors Altered focus from team to individual player development within Clubs and created flexible player pools instead of teams Shifted focus away from a results-driven philosophy Increased training frequency (3x/week minimum) and promoted fewer, more meaningful games Applied age-appropriate standards and philosophy to training and games Focused on local environments, reducing and limiting travel Unified player development initiatives and standards across the country Provided safe and enjoyable soccer environments built on respect and positive encouragement from players, coaches, parents, and fans The U-12 program expanded the Academy influence to players and Clubs at younger ages. Now, we believe that the time is right to empower and support Clubs and Members across the country to operate standards-based programming. The Academy Clubs have shown a commitment to this collective effort to improve environments, and in many cases have already expanded the philosophy to additional non-Academy teams and ages within their Clubs. In addition, Members have also taken steps to adopt PDI’s. We are confident that the initiative can continue to grow as needed without direct programming hosted or organized by U.S. Soccer or the Development Academy. Therefore, in the fall of 2019, the Development Academy will no longer operate U-12 programming, and we will begin the transition to a decentralized U-12 initiative led by Clubs and Members. This will allow for more direct management of Zone 1 player needs, while continuing to meet Academy philosophy and standards. Currently, 3,870 players participate in Academy standards-based environments. We want this number to continue to grow through Member influence on the landscape, and to positively impact hundreds of thousands of players. Additionally, we hope that organizing Zone 1 programming in your local communities will limit travel and costs for players and parents, so the players can spend more time on the field. Beginning in 2019-20, it will no longer be an option for U-12-only Clubs to participate in DA programming. However, U-12 Clubs remain an integral part of the player development pathway. Your efforts to develop and identify individual Zone 1 players are critically important to ensuring they can reach their full potential. Developing affiliations and partnerships with full Academy Clubs or Professional Clubs will help us achieve our collective goal of creating the best possible environments for the development of world-class players. As part of our Mission to improve everyday environments for all athletes, we will continue to support Clubs and Members through our newly created Club Development department. We believe the time is right for Clubs and Members to take control of their environments and take ownership of the U-12 age group as part of Zone 1 programming. Together, we will continue to create the best environments for player development now and in the future. We expect Clubs and Competitions to continue to uphold the following Zone 1 programming principles and initiatives: Adopt and commit to the Player Development Initiative philosophy, focusing on the individual development of players Be the example in your community—establish partner and affiliate Clubs for cooperation and collaboration Emphasize training and positive learning environments Provide all players with meaningful minutes, focusing on development, not results Ensure every player plays in at least 50% of game minutes each game Longer periods of playing time and less frequent interruptions to benefit player development Accelerate learning by allowing teams to move players up or down based on physical needs and/or relative age to appropriately challenge a player All club constituents (parents, coaches, support staff, etc.) are expected to play a role in creating a supportive and positive environment for training and games If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Development Academy. Thank you, U.S. Soccer Development Academy |
Anonymous
| So what is the decentralized U-12 initiative led by Clubs and Members? What does that mean? |
Anonymous
| So what is the REAL reason why U12 was dropped |
Anonymous
| Is this all U12 DA clubs or only those clubs that are U12 only? |
Anonymous
Yeah—I was wondering that. The wording was strange. Are there any “U12 only” clubs in the dmv? |
Anonymous
“Beginning in 2019-20, it will no longer be an option for U-12-only Clubs to participate in DA programming. ” |
Anonymous
“Therefore, in the fall of 2019, the Development Academy will no longer operate U-12 programming, and we will begin the transition to a decentralized U-12 initiative led by Clubs and Members.” |
Anonymous
But there are DAclubs that are U12-U18, U12-U15 etc. And then ones that only go to U12, like McLean did. So is this in reference to any and all U12 DA programs? Arlington, Loudoun, DC United, etc.? |
Anonymous
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Reading up on some of the other soccer forums, it seem like DA has the following plans:
2019-20 - eliminate U12 DA 2020-21 - eliminate U13 DA - break the combined U16/17 into separate U16 and U17 programs |
Anonymous
Which forums? |
Anonymous
| Adding to 2 above, '07 players that are in DA can continue in DA, '08 players will now need to wait until U14 to tryout for DA. |
Anonymous
http://www.talking-soccer.com/TS4/index.php http://www.bigsoccer.com/forums/ |
Anonymous
"Beginning in 2019-20, since there will no longer be a U-12 DA Academy level, there will not be an option for U-12-only clubs to participate in DA programming." -- I think that is the correct way to read the statement. That's how it was reported in the media. Teams that have U13/14 etc can "continue to particpate in DA programming" but not, of course, for U12s which won't be around. https://www.soccertoday.com/u-s-soccer-development-academy-hands-u-12s-back-to-clubs/ |