Local students make Olympic Development Program

SoccerMaine recently announced their Olympic Development Program teams for the upcoming season. Evan Allen of Avon was chosen for the 2001 (u14) team. Tyson Hill of Strong was chosen for the 2002 (u13) team after a two-day tryout.

Twenty selected players at each age train with their teams in Portland and Topsham and represent the state of Maine in regional competitions.

U.S. Soccer Olympic Development program philosophy is to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing basis for the purpose of increasing success of the U.S. national teams. The program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a national team will be selected for international competition.

Region 1 (West Virginia to Maine) holds an annual ODP tournament in early June to allow each state association’s ODP select team an opportunity to showcase its talent while competing against each other.

Region 1 also hosts an optional regional camp in early July exclusively for ODP team participants. These camps are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for regional pool participation, and possible national team camp, pool, or team participation.

Evan Allen is the son of Angel and Darren Allen of Avon. Tyson Hill is the son of Amy Hill of Phillips and Jason Hill of Strong.