2016 – Page 6

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The BSA Celtic youth program, NWC Alliance youth program and the Ohio Galaxies FC high school program announce the initiation of a fully integrated competitive soccer program with an emphasis on the development of competitive soccer players u5 – 19 years of age. Integration of coaching and training staff and a comprehensive age appropriate curriculum will provide players the opportunity for a seamless transition from early youth academy training to the small sided 7v7 and 9v9 model with ultimate advancement to the 11v11 model beginning at u13 and continuing through the high school age groups.

The three programs have been working cooperatively over the past 5 years beginning at the u15 age group with the integration of BSA Celtic and NWC Alliance players into the Ohio Galaxies FC high school program. Beginning in the fall season of 2016, the three programs will be extending this collaboration across all age groups.

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We fully support the importance of players in the u5 – u12 age groups being able to train and play soccer within their school and neighborhood communities. Small sided models provide excellent opportunities for players to learn and develop as players. Players in the u5 – u12 age groups at the BSA Celtic and NWC Alliance divisions will continue to train in their respective communities. BSA Celtic u5 – u12 players will utilize the Ankeney Soccer Complex in Beavercreek and the NWC Alliance u5 – u12 players will utilize Patricia Allyn Park in Springboro.

In 11v11 age groups, implementation of US Soccer mandated birth year registration blurs the lines that have traditionally been used to distinguish the u14 to u15 transition from youth competitive teams to high school competitive teams. It is imperative that the club framework be built to accommodate the needs of a u13 player transitioning into 11v11 and provide consistency in training and development. The Ohio Celtic Alliance division is designed to specifically address the needs of the players in the u13 – u15 age groups within the 11v11 model. Training will include a fall, winter and spring component with a significant amount of training on turf in the early spring.

Players in the u16 – u19 age groups will continue as part of the Ohio Galaxies FC division with continued emphasis on the development of both boys and girls who are interested in playing competitive soccer at the high school level and are also may be interested in investigating the possibility of playing soccer at the collegiate level.

Player and team accounts will be managed through a centralized administrative staff. Each phase of the u5 – u19 program will offer players a comprehensive training program matched with league and tournament opportunities that are an appropriate competitive fit. The integrated training model will include fall, winter and spring training opportunities. Outdoor training locations will include Ankeney Soccer Complex, Patricia Allyn Park and Athletes in Action as well as additional turf training locations in Greene County. Indoor training locations will be selected to maximize training opportunities in the winter months. Tournaments will include club sponsored events, as well as, a comprehensive list of tournaments available for selection for fall and spring competition.

Our aim is to achieve an interconnected model for our competitive program that focuses on a player centered approach to training and development. Recognizing our shared objectives and utilizing our staff and facility resources our goal is to provide our players with a quality program in which they can develop their soccer skills while promoting leadership and sportsmanship in a progressively challenging competitive environment.