US Youth Soccer Region IV Fall Planning Workshop
Denver, Colorado
October 16 - 19, 2003

ODP
Utah Youth Soccer

Saturday October 18, 2003

Boys & Girls ODP discussion in the morning recapped the past year, Brent Mangus presented the Boys Program and Gary Moore the Girls Program. Gary Moore is moving to run the National Girls ODP Program and Joyce Pineda will take his place as the Region IV Girls ODP Administrator. There was also discussion about other competing "ODP" designees, such as the "Y" leagues. Our Focus will be to make our programs better, rather than fear their entrance. It will give USYSA the opportunity to improve what we already have.

Camp Fees Increase: It was proposed that a $25 fee increase for region camp be implemented. This would go to support a person to work with Region IV to help with ODP administration. A $10 portion would go towards that, and the other $15 would help offset rising costs of the ODP program.

U-13 Program: Region I, II, & III all have U-13 programs. Region IV is lagging behind with only a few states implementing U-13 programs (our JDA program). Utah is one of the states with a more sophisticated program, along with Hawaii, and Arizona. A sub-group has been formed to address where to take this on the Boys side. I have been asked to participate and will work with Brent Mangus, and a representative from Hawaii and Washington States. Much work through email will culminate in a meeting during the Region IV ODP Championships in Las Vegas during January. The Girls side is looking at sub-regional sites or to link the U-13's with the U-17 age group. They will also meet in Las Vegas.

Region IV Championships: Las Vegas, NV January 23-26th

At this point the groups split into Boys and Girls sessions: I attended the Girls Session. Topics reviewed included the calendar of events for the previous year, an annual report, and a report from the head referee. There is a need and an opportunity for outstanding young refs to participate at camp. They get high level instruction and video review with a skilled referee staff.

I would propose that we send the Girls "Young Referee of the Year" to this. The only expense would be their plane ticket. Room and board is included and they also are paid $30/day. The candidate could travel to and from camp with our teams.

Calendar for the upcoming year was presented, with the youngest age groups attending first. We will be working to combine efforts on travel with Colorado again this year to keep bus expenses as low as possible.

Our session ended with more discussion surrounding the U-13 programs, and a general questions & answer session.