ZAREPHATH, N.J. (Oct. 18, 2011) – The first of two fall 2011 id2 Program Training Camps came to a close as a total of 115 elite boys born in 1998-99 and girls born in 1997-98 representing 17 states were on-hand for four days of high-level training and off-field sessions, Oct. 13-16, at PDA Soccer Complex in Zarephath, N.J.

 

The age groups for the camp were selected in order to more closely align with scouting priorities for the U.S. Soccer U-14 National Teams. The id2 Program Training Camps are part of US Club Soccer’s id2 National Player Identification and Development Program and provide an opportunity for the country’s top youth players to be identified and developed for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.  

Every id2 Program Training Camp is attended and scouted by U.S. Soccer staff members, as the New Jersey id2 Program Training Camp included Women’s Development Director Jill Ellis and Technical Advisor Chris Brewer. In addition, long-time U.S. Women’s National Team standout Lindsay Tarpley was on hand to work with the players and share with them her thoughts as to what it takes to succeed at a national team level.

Supplementing the developmental aspect of the camp, Mark Williams from the Athlete Development Institute was at the camp to speak to the players about developing soccer-specific speed, agility and strength, and to lead the players through an on-field session reinforcing proper techniques in these areas.

For the third straight year, a team of the best 18 boys from this fall’s id2 Program Training Camps will be selected to take an international trip, where they will have the opportunity to train, attend professional matches and compete against youth teams from well-known professional clubs. This year’s trip is scheduled for Feb. 17-27, 2012, to Spain.

“The overall level of play at the camp was very strong and we were able to see many players who would be a good fit for the upcoming id2 National Selection International Tour to Spain,” said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer’s id2 Boys’ Program Director. “We were very happy with the progress that the players made throughout the camp as the guys were able to learn new things and improve over the four days. Having Chris Brewer talk to the players about the mentality required to reach the national team was also an eye-opening discussion for the boys that will hopefully be remembered after they go home.”

“These are great events for us to come out and see not just the players, but the coaches, and see what sort of things are happening out there in our youth soccer environment,” said Ellis, the Development Director for the U.S. Women's National Teams. “These are players that obviously we’ll be looking at to bring into our camps and get into our youth environments.”

Led by McKeown and id2 Girls’ Program Director Rory Dames, 15 top coaches from across the country worked closely with the players to teach the technical, tactical, and psychological requirements for success and development at a national level.

“As the camp progressed and the players became more comfortable with their surroundings, these players were really able to show off their skills and demonstrate their quality,” Dames said. “The presence of Jill Ellis and Lindsay Tarpley also created a great opportunity for the players to learn from people at the very top level of the game about what it takes to become a U.S. Women’s National Team player.” 

Aided by their time at US Club Soccer’s id2 Regional Training Camps, numerous attendees of past camps have advanced into U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.

 

Click here for the complete list of girls that attended.