ZAREPHATH, N.J. (Oct. 5, 2009) – Four days of high-level training and off-the-field sessions for boys born in 1996-97 and girls born in 1995-96 has concluded at US Club Soccer's first 2009 id2 Regional Training Camp in Zarephath, N.J.
Attended by USSF National Team staff, Regional Training Camps are part of US Club Soccer's id2 national player identification and development program, providing an opportunity for the country's top youth talent to be identified and developed for inclusion in U.S. Soccer's National Team programs.
“We've found that not only do we have comprehensively a good level, we think that we have some guys that are looking a little bit special,” said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer's id2 Boys' Program Director and also an assistant coach with the U.S. U-15 Boys' National Team. “We really think that we have a good group and a good base for the team that will travel to Europe.”
For the first time, a team of the best 18 boys' players from this fall's id2 Regional Training Camps will take an international trip to the Netherlands and Germany in February 2010, where they will experience the day-to-day culture of some of the world's most well-known professional clubs while also improving themselves via high-level training and game competition.
The Zarephath, N.J., Regional Training Camp featured U.S. U-14 Girls' National Development Program head coach Mike Dickey, U.S. U-14 Boys' National Team head coach Manny Shellsheidt and U.S. U-15 Boys' National Team head coach Jim Barlow, who were in attendance to scout, coach and speak with the players.
Aided by their time at US Club Soccer's id2 Regional Training Camps, numerous boys' and girls' attendees of past camps have advanced into U.S. Soccer's National Team programs.
“It's great to have Mike Dickey here and give a smaller number of girls the exposure to an actual national team head coach for five to six sessions,” id2 Girls' Program Director Rory Dames said. “I thought the level of play was very good. The players got better each day, and the games we had on Saturday evening and Sunday morning were really entertaining with a good quality of soccer.”
In addition to the USSF National Team staff at the event, additional guests included former U.S. Women's National Team star and Soccer Hall of Famer Carin Gabarra, England National Team and WPS champion Sky Blue FC defender Anita Asante and legendary Duke University men's soccer head coach John Rennie, who is also US Club Soccer's Director of Youth Development (U-6 to U-12). All guests spoke to the players, offering insight into their experiences and advice for up-and-coming players.
The trend of hosting USSF National Team staff and highly-regarded guests on-site will continue at the next two id2 Regional Training Camps. Those camps will be held Nov. 12-15 (boys and girls) at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, and Dec. 10-13 (boys) at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.
Five of the six on-field training sessions of the first 2009 id2 Regional Training Camp took place on the pristine natural grass fields of the PDA Soccer Complex. The camp's final sessions on Sunday morning were held at the practice facility of Rutgers University's women's soccer program, allowing players to experience a collegiate environment. Led by Dames and id2 Boys' Program Director Gerry McKeown, nine staff coaches from some of the country's most successful clubs ran training and game sessions.
Those interested are able to visit the Zarephath, N.J., id2 Regional Training Camp Online Headquarters for highlights, recaps, photos, spotlight features and a blog from the Oct. 1-4 event [link].
About id2: [id2 Fact Sheet]
id2 Regional Training Camps are invitation-only events that bring together the nation's top boys' and girls' youth players for four days of competition, evaluation and fun. Players are invited to participate as a result of an extensive year-long recommendation and scouting program.
Players are identified as they compete in their own training and game environment with their club team. In addition, the only cost to players involved in id2 is that of travel to the venue. Lodging, meals and a comprehensive training kit are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike.
About US Club Soccer:
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in 49 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup and the National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id2.
