ODP

I am curious to hear any additional info as well. The last I heard, ODP tryouts weren't taking place until sometime in early 2021.

Interesting. Very different than what has been communicated and what is stated on the website. Somebody has hit the ground running - I like it.

Hello again, Kostas here…

Apologies for another email this evening but in speaking with several of you, one message resonated with me…to elevate our level of communication and provide some updates along with the exciting news of ODP starting in October!

The well-known American author, John C. Maxwell, prophetically wrote; “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

There is no doubt that we all had to adjust in so many ways and change how we do nearly everything in 2020…being able to have games again on weekends and training during the week is a reflection of all of us doing the right things for the game, the communities and our families.

I’m honored to step in to this role at Georgia Soccer feeling inspired to serve the growth of the game while providing the highest possible value to our membership which is why one of our association’s top priorities is ODP.

Our leagues have kicked off the Fall season on schedule and in fantastic fashion; National League, GPL and our Athena/Classic divisions are off and running beautifully.

State Cup preparations are in place with the exciting new format of play that will culminate in crowning our State Champions later this year (for the 15U – 19U ages)…I hope you are all following the FIFA Champions League style seeding and draw this week.

We are also working with US Soccer and our US Youth Soccer leadership to reset our Coaching Education curriculum, licenses and additional supporting materials in preparation for more virtual, blended and even live opportunities to better support our Georgia coaches and ultimately, our Georgia players.

In the spirit of progress, we are thrilled to announce that ODP will not wait to 2021 to restart; October is the month and it is right around the corner!

As part of the process, we are in preparation for the following (with more details to come in a couple of weeks):

Every player from 2019-2020 ODP roster will be offered a position on the 2020-2021 squad!

Many top coaches across the state have asked to be a part of this program and we are working on finalizing the staff for announcement.

There will be a sub-regional event in January and in preparation for that, we are in discussions to have friendlies in December closer to home and without the need to have an overnight stay.

We are also looking at the financials of the program…Georgia Soccer has always offered among the lowest fees for participation in ODP; well, we are evaluating options to provide even more ways of support to our families here and thus, ensuring even more value to the program.

Our players will also enjoy more innovation in programming with more resources (yes, I’m teasing this a bit but there are some real cool things in the works)

The final details for the above are obviously no completed yet but I’m thrilled that we are on the right path and looking forward to soon connect with you in person as well…on the sideline, watching our kids represent Georgia!

Of course, in getting back to play (as we have done with our leagues and tournaments), we WILL NOT be reckless but show incredible respect to the conditions that provide us an opportunity to play this game in a safe and fun manner.

Hope this information is useful; stand by for more and thank you again for your continued support of the game!

K.

I feel that not having an actual try out is wrong on several levels. 1) You're depreciating the hardwork alot of the kids who didn't make it last year put it during this pandemic. Secondly, my child made a team and her tryout consisted of absolutely demolishing an ODP player, which I have video evidence of. Also, I personally know 2 parents that have said they had a reputable trainer get their child on the team last year. I have seen my child destroy some of these previous 2019 2020 players. Why, at the very least not ask the coaches on top teams to suggest 3 or 4 kids? Why, just go off last year? I know players that aren't even planning on returning. This isn't very fair or assuring for future players. ECNL kicks off this weekend for all age groups. Why not evaluate talent throughout the weeks? This just seems shortsighted and of course anyone who's child made the team last year is going to think this is an amazing process. All we want is a fair chance. To show it and prove it on the pitch!!

Understand the concern, but most clubs did not have (formal) tryouts this year either. I think in ODP’s case, they’ve always been open to player recommendations from coaches and/or DOCs. Perhaps you can start there to get your player a look when it starts back up next month?

Training day and location will be the big factors. Friday evenings in Conyers? No thank you. Sunday evenings at Franklin Gateway or AU Training Ground? Yes, please.

I don’t like Conyers on any day ending in y.

  Agree completely. Scouting is very important to developing a solid American soccer system - and should be continuous and consistent throughout the season. Scouting done correctly could replace tryouts.

  Scouting should very easy to do in this age of technology... effective scouting just amounts to collecting and communicating information effectively. 

  With that being said, it should also be easy to keep websites (ECNL?) up to date with schedules and scores... 

Not 08 related, necessarily, but and overall ODP comment...

If you can bend someone's ear that has control over these things:
+ Why training on Friday nights when most kids are playing games on Saturday? I would think Sunday evening or even a Monday evening would be a good time (anecdotally- we've never had Monday training w/ club and neither have friends at other clubs).
+ Training should be at least once a week.
+ More games. Only having regional, etc. is a bit odd. Plenty of clubs in the metro area would scrimmage against the ODP teams. Also, with friends out of state, their ODP teams seem to play games a lot - whether friendlies with local clubs or friendlies with other state ODPs.
+ Why the HUGE pool? And if you have that many kids - more games, please!!!

Just suggestions...
;-)

Friday nights are best to ensure max attendance, most coaches don't want their players training on Sat/Sun on days they have games, depending on the level of the club teams the players are on they may be out of town on Sat/Sun. Additionally since we practice at the Atlanta United training facility we have to coordinate with their schedules, I assume most of the fields are being used on the weekends.

ODP practices are different than club practices, many coaches are doing heavy fitness with and without the ball while we are working on phases of play, teaching possession and other tactics....which is probably less impactful on the body than a regular club practice.

For the 08s we have a larger pool to accommodate three teams for events and games, players will have club obligations on the weekends and miss events, it's rare that we have every player attend for ODP games. Also you expect some natural attrition as they get older. When we coached the 2002 Boys at U12 we eventually had 17 players picked for the Region Pool and many of them ended up going on to play for Atlanta United, so we lost a number of players the following year.

Funny as our group is anything at rysa, Norcross or Inter yes please. AUFC/Franklin Gateway no thank you, maybe next year.

Any more recently released info?

Sounds like boys will train out at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody.

Where are these coaches from? I don’t see any recognizable names from NASA (my son’s home club). Is that normal? Are there coaches from the other bigger clubs?