BRADENTON, Fla. (October 26, 2010) – United Soccer Leagues announced today that its Super Y-League Olympic Development Program will move to the world-class facilities of IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida when the players convene for the camps to be held in February and March 2011. The boys’ camp will take place from February 24-27, followed by the girls’ camp March 3-6.

The ODP Program, which brings players from across the United States and Canada, is a crucial component of the USL Super Y-League, offering the best players from the U13 to U17 age groups a chance to receive top-quality coaching and the opportunity to be scouted by U.S. National Team and college coaches.  More than 200 boys and 200 girls will be invited to attend after being identified by Super Y coaches during the 2010 season.

USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor, who has spent the past 18 years as a member of the U.S. National Staff and 25 years as an ODP coach, will direct the camps.

“Our Super Y ODP program continues to offer talented players from throughout North America a chance to reach the next level,” Mellor said. “As a coach or as a player, whether you’re at the competitive youth level or the professional level, you want a great environment to play, train and compete in.  There’s no better environment than IMG.”

Mellor is keenly familiar with the facility having been a longtime assistant coach for the successful U.S. Under-17 program, based at IMG Academies. In addition to moving to the facility, Mellor is also aiming to upgrade the quality of experience and coaching for the players attending the camps, with IMG’s facilities offering a great setting to implement those improvements.

“One of the components we’re going to introduce this year for the first time is mental conditioning so our athletes understand the demands of the game and how to deal with them,” Mellor said. “We’re also going to film and analyze the players, and we’re going to provide a college recruitment seminar for players and parents to help them through the process.

“We’re also exploring the possibility of arranging exhibitions against international teams for our ODP All-Star teams on the final day of the camps, which is very exciting.”

IMG Academies is the world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training facility for athletic, academic and personal development.  During the span of 30-plus years, the Academy’s advanced training methods have helped countless youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes improve in sport and life by providing an energetic and inspiring atmosphere on a 400-acre campus.

Consisting of the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy, IMG Madden Football Academy, IMG Performance Institute, and IMG Baseball, IMG Basketball, IMG Lacrosse and IMG Soccer academies, the Bradenton, Fla.-based Academy attracts more than 12,000 dedicated athletes from approximately 80 countries every year. Through specialized training, expert coaching and customizable programs for all ages and ability levels, IMG Academies offers the ultimate preparation for life in and out of the athletic arena. Find more info at www.imgacademies.com.