SAN FRANCISCO ELITE ACADEMY EXPANDS U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY PROGRAM

Next Playing Year to Feature U12 and U13 Boys Development Academy Teams

 The San Francisco Elite Academy (SFEA) announced today an expansion of its U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) program to include a team at the U13 Boys age level (2006 birth year) for next playing season. 

The move effectively keeps the current U12 Boys USSDA team (subject to tryouts) within the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and acknowledges that team’s impressive development under SFEA head coach Bobby Quinlan. Next season, the U13 Boys USSDA team will be joined by a continued U12 Boys age level team as a new group (2007/20008 birth years) will be selected via tryouts to enter the SFEA Development Academy program.

U.S. Soccer Development Academy play is considered the highest level of play for youth players, and was conceived to make an positive impact on club environments in order to maximize youth player development across the country. USSDA values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles, as well as sets the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide.

On March 2nd, U.S. Soccer approved SFEA’s application for growing its U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and encouraged the club to continue its efforts to enhance the playing environment for youth players. This past year, the SFEA has introduced a number of new programs to support soccer development, including SAQ+ and Peak Performance; added to its already prestigious coaching staff; and has seen its teams take huge strides on the field. Soccer clubs selected to receive a DA team or expanded program are required to demonstrate club leadership and a quality coaching staff; an embracing of the Development Academy philosophy and core values; a proven infrastructure and necessary resources; a history of player production; and a commitment to removing financial barriers to participation. Players participating in U.S. Soccer Development Academy benefit from additional and consistent training, less total games and showcase observed by U.S. Soccer scouts, gameday videos, concussion baseline testing and accredited trainer presence, player tracking and stats, as well as matches officiated by U.S. Soccer-qualified referees.

“We are proud U.S. Soccer has awarded us this Development Academy expansion,” said Nick Lusson, Director of the San Francisco Elite Academy U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and someone who has been instrumental both on the field and behind the scenes to help the program grow. “We’re excited to continue to build upon the foundation we started with our last two U12 Boys teams, and we continue to seek expanded player opportunities for all elite players in the San Francisco area.”

To learn more about SFEA’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams or other soccer programs, please visit the club’s website at www.sfea.org.

About SFEA
The San Francisco Elite is a youth soccer club for elite-level and aspiring youth soccer players in San Francisco. The organization provides next level training at a critical juncture in a player’s development by offering highly licensed and experienced coaching, soccer-first facilities, and a proven development curriculum, backed by specialized coaching and programs. SFEA was the first team in San Francisco to have a U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and places more teams in US Club’s National Premier League than any other San Francisco club. In addition, SFEA is committed to leaving no dedicated player behind and provides over $100,000 in financial aid and scholarship funding annually.

About U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around world, U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy program in 2007 to improve everyday environments with standards focused on individual player development. The Academy launched with two combined age groups for male players, U-15/16 and U-17/18. In 2013, the Academy expanded to include the U-13/14 age group, and in 2016, the Academy launched the U-12 program, which has continued to build a player pathway for elite players and clubs. In 2017, the Girls' Development Academy was launched with a mission to improve the player development landscape and create a pathway for elite female players. Today, the Academy is comprised of teams across six age groups in the Boys' program: U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16/17, and U-18/19 and four age groups in the Girls' program: U-14, U-15, U-16/17, and U-18/19. As Boys' Academy alumni have progressed to play at elite amateur and professional levels with MLS paving the way, NWSL clubs have also created Academy teams to develop the same pathway for future female players to progress to the professional level. Learn more at U.S. Soccer.

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