Six new clubs to join Girls DA in 2019-20

by U.S. Soccer
February 20, 2019

The U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy will expand its membership for the 2019-20 season to 71 clubs, encompassing 342 teams. As part of its mission to impact everyday environments to develop world-class players, six new clubs will join the Girls' Academy and two clubs will introduce new age-group teams. With the introduction of the Girls' U-16 age group, the upcoming third season of the Girls' Academy will be its largest ever, set to feature nearly 7,000 players. 

2019-20 GIRLS' DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY CLUB ADDITIONS

Club

Location

Age Group(s)

Conference

Albion SC Las Vegas

Henderson, Nev.

All (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18/19)

West

Cedar Stars Academy - Bergen

South Hackensack, N.J.

U-14, U-15

East

Salvo SC

Eagan, Minn.

All (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18/19)

Central

SJEB Rush

Marlton, N.J.

U-14, U-15

East

South Shore Select

Hingham, Mass.

All (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18/19)

East

STA Development Academy

Randolph, N.J.

All (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18/19)

East

ACADEMY CLUBS ADDING AGE GROUPS FOR 2019-20 SEASON

Club

Location

New Age Group(s)

Conference

Arlington Soccer Association

Arlington, Va.

U-16, U-17, U-18/19

East

Long Island SC

Plainview, N.Y.

U-16

East

New clubs and new age-group teams were selected for admission to the Academy following a thorough review process by the U.S. Soccer Club Development department based on:

  • Academy leadership and quality of coaching staff
  • Desire to embrace Development Academy philosophy and core values
  • Infrastructure and investment of resources
  • Player production history, player pool depth and geographic location

"After a thorough review of the everyday environments at applicant clubs, a select number were chosen to join the Girls' Academy for its third season," said Miriam Hickey, U.S. Soccer Director of Club Development. "It is evident that these clubs are passionate about providing opportunities for female players to have access to fun, challenging and safe environments that encourage them to reach their full potential.

"In these environments, the club leaders and coaches will serve as role models to ensure that players remain lifelong participants. These female players are our future on the field, as well as our next generation of coaches, referees and fans. Together with our Club Development Managers across the country we look forward to providing support and collaborating with current and new Academy clubs."

Six new clubs will join the Girls' Academy in its third year, including one from a new geographic region: Albion SC Las Vegas, the first Academy club from Nevada for either gender.

SJEB Rush will join the Girls' Academy at the U-14 and U-15 levels after competing in the Girls' U-13 pilot program during the 2018-19 season. Already a part of the Boys' Academy, Cedar Stars Academy - Bergen will join the Girls' Academy for the 2019-20 season. In addition to Cedar Stars and SJEB, two more new clubs come from the East Coast in South Shore Select and STA Development Academy, while Salvo SC becomes the second Girls' Academy club based in Minnesota.

Following the launch of its Girls' Academy programming this season at the U-14 and U-15 level. Arlington Soccer Association will expand to the U-16, U-17 and U-18/19 age groups for 2019-20. Long Island SC will also add a team in the new U-16 age group.

GIRLS' DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY BY THE NUMBERS

2018-19

2019-20

Age Groups

Clubs

Age Groups

Clubs

U-14

64

U-14

70

U-15

65

U-15

71

U-16/17

63

U-16

69

   

U-17

68

U-18/19

59

U-18/19

64

Total Groups: 4

Teams: 251 
Clubs: 65

Total Groups: 5

Teams: 342 
Clubs: 71

"The growth of the Academy is not simply measured in the number of new clubs or players," said Jared Micklos, Youth National Teams Director. "It is about the commitment of both existing and new clubs to raise the collective standard and create optimal environments focused on the development of players that will pay dividends for years to come."

At the start of the 2019-20 Girls' Academy season, the following age eligibility dates will be in effect: 

  • U-18/19: Players born Jan. 1, 2001 or later
  • U-17: Players born Jan. 1, 2003 or later
  • U-16: Players born Jan. 1, 2004 or later
  • U-15: Players born Jan. 1, 2005 or later
  • U-14: Players born Jan. 1, 2006 or later

Expansion to Boys' Academy membership will be announced in the coming weeks. The 2019-20 regular season and event schedule will be released by June 1, 2019.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
Following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around the world, U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007, subsequently growing the program year over year. In Fall 2017, the Academy expanded its programming to include a Girls' Development Academy.

The Academy focuses on positively impacting everyday club environments to maximize youth player development across the country. The Academy's philosophy is based on increased training and fewer but more meaningful games using international rules of competition.

Entering its 13th year in 2019-20, the Academy season will be comprised of teams across five age groups in the boys program: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16/17 and U-18/19, and five age groups in the girls program: U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18/19. 

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