ODP, PDP, Surf Select – Platforms to Shine
I get a lot of questions about what these programs are, who is involved and how to join. Here is a brief overview of the programs we send our top players to each year.
Olympic Development Program (ODP)
ODP stands for Olympic Development Program and is offered by US Soccer. Its main purpose is to provide a nationally recognized player identification and development pathway program for youth soccer players.
Each State Association (Northern California is considered to be a state) holds try-outs on an annual basis. Age-groups and try-out dates can differ from state to state, based on each state needs for players. Players chosen for the program are considered to be “State Team” players and they can be selected for the Regional Team and even our US National Team. Players are usually nominated by Club coaches and approved by their Directors to be eligible for tryouts.
Player Development Program (PDP)
PDP stands for Player Development Program. This program is managed by NorCal Premier Soccer and is sanctioned by US Soccer. Like the ODP program, it provides players with opportunities to be identified within the NorCal Premier Soccer Club network for State, Regional and US National team play.
In general, roughly 800 U12-U13 players are identified to play in a series of events that provides a platform for staff to choose players for a selection pool the following year. If chosen to participate in the selection pool, players are eligible to be chosen to represent NorCal at the State, US Regional and US National Teams.
Each year, NorCal asks member clubs for nominations by coaches, club directors and PDP staff that might have encountered a player at tournaments or games they think should be invited.
Surf Select is a program created to identify top players within Surf Nation. Coaches from all surf clubs nominate top players to attend regional ID camps. Players identified at these camps are organized into regional teams who will compete in Surf Cup Sports organized events and international tours and tournaments.
As Earthquakes/Surf, we have proudly sent many players to these programs; several of them making it to the State and Regional levels. We will continue to make sending players to these programs a priority because our goal is to provide them with the most meaningful and competitive training and playing environment they can perform in while opening as many doors for them as possible. Should players or parents have further questions about these programs, feel free to ask your coach or contact our Director of Coaching, Rey Harris.
