New Jersey ODP counting down to Nov. kickoff of Young Olympians
EAST WINDSOR, N.J. (via NJYS) — The New Jersey Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, in partnership with NWSL club Sky Blue FC, will begin programming for its Young Olympians program (birth year 2005) and Club NJYS (birth year 2006 and 2007) on Saturday, November 12.
Sessions are hosted regionally (south, shore, central and north) to facilitate participation throughout the state.
Over the last two years, NJ Youth Soccer has worked closely with Sky Blue FC across its programs. This fall, the two will take another step together when Sky Blue FC, led by head coach Christy Holly, will take the lead running the majority of tryouts and training sessions for the groups.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to work with the Club NJYS and Young Olympians Programs,” Holly said in a statement. “Having coached a number of current Sky Blue FC players who are former NJ ODP alums, I look forward to helping mold the future crop of soccer players in the New Jersey.”
Club NJYS, designed specifically for players born in 2006 and 2007, is an introductory stage for players who aspire to play at a high level. Club NJYS provides a path to participate in the Young Olympians Program and ODP. Players’ abilities will be assessed and the sessions will be segmented so that players are training with others of like ability.
“I am very excited with our partnership with Sky Blue FC, and specifically Head Coach Christy Holly, who is one of the premier coaches in the NWSL,” said Mike Petke, NJYS’ Director of ODP and Player Development. “This partnership ensures that the girls in our Club NJYS and Young Olympian programs will receive the best training available.”
The Young Olympians Program, designed specifically for players born in 2004, is the next step for players preparing for the NJ Youth Soccer ODP. Players will be selected for the multi-session program after two initial tryout sessions. The Young Olympians program will focus on improving the player’s technical ability and tactical awareness while exposing players and parents to a US Youth Soccer and NJYS ODP environment.
While the programs are customized for each age group, both Club NJYS and the Young Olympians Program includes training sessions and a festival featuring small-sided games. Pre-registration is required.
To ensure a proper training environment, registration for each Club NJYS (2006 and 2007) group will be limited to fifty (50) players on a first come first served basis. If demand exceeds capacity, NJ Youth Soccer will create a waiting list and seek solutions for those individuals desiring to participate. For the Young Olympians Program (2005), there is a tryout process with a maximum of 100 players permitted by area. From that, area training teams of approximately thirty (30) players will be identified.
For locations, schedules and fees, email us at [email protected], call (609) 490-0725. or visit NJYouthSoccer.com.
Club NJYS (girls 2007)
North: Register here | Shore: Register here | Central: Register here | South: Register here
Club NJYS (girls 2006)
North: Register here | Shore: Register here | Central: Register here | South: Register here
Young Olympians (girls 2005)
North: Register here | Shore: Register here | Central: Register here | South: Register here
(For girls and boys schedules by age group, click here. See below for FAQs about the program and registration.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What area should I sign up for?
- Please reference the below chart regarding recommended training locations by counties:
- North (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Sussex)
- Shore (Monmouth and Ocean)
- Central (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren)
- South (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
*Players may select their preferred training locations. Please see the ODP page of the NJYS website for schedules.
Q:Can I train at a different location than where I signed up for?
A: In order to maintain sufficient training numbers and coaches per location, changing locations will not be permitted.
Q: Why is Club NJYS limited to 50 per location?
A: In order to ensure a proper training session with ample space, player to coach ratio as well as maximize touches on the ball per player, 50 is the maximum number of players to ensure this.
Q: What is the purpose of the Club NJYS Program?
A: The purpose of the Club NJYS program is to provide quality soccer training while introducing the players to the Olympic Development Program (ODP) process. We are not a club team but rather a training program with the purpose of increasing the player’s talent beginning at a young age.
Q: What is the purpose of the Young Olympian Program?
A: The purpose of the Young Olympians Program is to bring high level talent together to prepare them for ODP, while also sending them back to their club teams as better players.
Q: Is there a tryout for these programs?
A: There is no tryout for the Club NJYS program, however it is limited to the first 50 players that sign up per area. There is a tryout for the Young Olympians Program. We will select approximately 100 players with approximately 25 per location.
Q: What if I cannot attend all sessions?
A: While the training sessions are not mandatory, we encourage you to attend as many as you are able to. The fee will not be prorated for missing a training session.
Q: Who are the trainers?
A: On the girl’s side, we have recently partnered with Sky Blue FC, whose head coach, Christy Holly, will take a lead at a majority of the sessions working with his coaching staff and players. On the boy’s side, we have a partnership with the Red Bull Training Programs that started in 2014.
