San Antonio, Texas - The Classics Elite Soccer Academy is proud to announce that it has been selected to join the United States Soccer Federation Development Academy beginning with the 2008/2009 season.
Launched in the fall 2007 after a comprehensive review of elite player development systems in the U.S. and across theworld, the Development Academy provides the best possible opportunity for players to develop. Teams in the Academy are required to train a minimum of three times a week, eliminating the growing trend of playing excessive games in lieu of consistent training patterns, while also playing relevant weekly matches at a high level only against other teams in the program. The USSF Development Academy is an extension of the very successful U.S. Under 17 Residence Program.
John Hackworth, US Men’s National Team assistant coach, is the Technical Director of the USSF Development Academy. Every club selected to participate in the Development Academy has been carefully chosen for its inclusion by USSF and includes only the highest level of coaches and organizations in the United States. The Academy provides a vastly improved training and scouting environment for college, professional and U.S. National Team Coaches. More than 3,000 players are already part of the Development Academy, which includes clubs with teams in each of the two Academy boys’ age groups: Under-15/16 and U-17/18. The clubs are divided into eight conferences (based on geographic proximity), with each team playing 30 matches during the eight-month season. Teams compete in regional conference play, showcase weekends and non-conference weekends. FC Dallas, Andromeda SC Dallas, Lonestars Soccer Club Austin, Dallas Solar Soccer Club, The Dallas Texans-Dallas, TSC Texans Houston, and Texas Rush have also been selected to join the USSF DevelopmentAcademy and will form a Texas Conference beginning play in the Fall of 2008. More information can be found atwww.ussoccer.com/teams/acad/index.jsp.html
Brian Monaghan – Director of Coaching, Classics Elite Soccer Academy
I applaud U.S. soccer for taking the lead in providing a true development and competitive youth soccer environment for the elite club player. This player now has the chance to develop his technical and tactical mastery of the game in situations that do not require a just winning at all costs mentality. In addition, the fear of failure while learning the game should be gone. These talented players will now train and play with no fear, as they go on the long journey to become a complete player who may be able to perform at the highest level possible if their talent and good coaching takes them that far.
For San Antonio soccer players with dreams and ambitions of making it in the game as a professional or top college player, the opportunity to succeed is now here.
Sunil Gulati – U.S. Soccer President
“After completing an extensive review and discussion across the country, we feel that it is the right time for U.S. Soccer to lead a change in the sport at the youth level. We need to shift the focus of our young elite players from an ‘overburdened, game emphasis’ model to a ‘meaningful training and competition’ model. This will ultimately lead to more success and will allow players to develop to their full potential.”
Bob Bradley – U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach
"I'm very excited about the establishment of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program. It is very important for U.S. Soccer to work with our top clubs to ensure that our best young players are constantly being challenged in an environment that best promotes player development. With a tremendous amount of reach, this program will help focus training sessions and matches on the areas that are critical to elevating our young players' ability to compete at the elite levels of the sport."
John Hackworth – Development Academy Director, Men's National Team Assistant Coach
"It's a concept that youth soccer in this country desperately needs and our goal is to truly shift the focus towards increasing player development. I think it will create a day-to-day training environment that will allow players the opportunity to develop to the best of their ability. Right now we have only 40 players in that type of environment (at the U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla.), but this Academy will allow us to put thousands of elite players in a similar environment, which will help us raise the entire level across the nation."
