Sixty-two players attend Gulf States Premier League PDP
(Via US Club Soccer) – A total of 62 players from nine different clubs participated in US Club Soccer Player Development Program (PDP) events, March 26 at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, La.
A collection of the area’s top players – 02/03 girls and 03/04 boys – participated in dynamic warm-ups, technical training and small-sided games, all while aiming to impress US Club Soccer scouts for potential invitations to upcoming id² Training Camps.
The next id² Training Camp of the current cycle, which targets ’03 boys and ’02 girls, will be held April 7-10 at WRAL Soccer Center in Raleigh, N.C. Less than two weeks ago, the first camp of this age group cycle was held in California.
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The PDPs were hosted by the NPL’s Gulf States Premier League, which has hosted an annual PDP every year since its inception in 2011.
Staff coaches directing the girls PDP were Jeremy Shortt (Mississippi Rush) and Jason Providence (Gulf Coast Texans SC). On the boys side, Shane Howard (William Carey University) and Steven Paiz (Louisiana Fire Juniors) were the coaches directing activities. Ross Brooks (William Carey University) served as goalkeeper coach. NPL General Manager Leo Garcia was on-site to oversee the PDPs.
“These PDPs are a great opportunity for a league’s top players to compete against other top-level competition,” Garcia said. “The program not only includes a valuable scouting component; it’s truly an environment where the players are challenged and developed.”
US Club Soccer PDPs are regionally based identification and development programs conducted within the id² umbrella. Player invitations are based on objective scouting of elite clubs and leagues, combined with recommendations from top Directors of Coaching. Both the id² Program and PDPs have been granted Olympic Development Program status by the U.S. Soccer Federation and the US Olympic Committee.
