Rapids US Soccer Hosting Development Academy "Town Hall Meeting" Free Event This Sunday

June 27, 2010
COMMERCE CITY CO (November 6 2008) – The Colorado Rapids in conjunction with US Soccer the Colorado Rush and Real Colorado announced that they will jointly host a "Town Hall Meeting" to discuss the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program.
The free imformational event will be held at 5:00 pm on Sunday November 16 on the Press Level at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The meeting is free and open to all Colorado soccer players and their families as well as club representatives and sponsors from across the state to come learn the goals objectives and structure of the US Development Academy program.

John Hackworth U.S. Men’s Assistant Coach and Technical Director for the US Development Academy program will serve as the featured speaker. Coach Hackworth will make a formal presentation on the program and its relationship to U.S. Soccer’s goals for player development.

Representatives from each of the three Colorado Development Academy clubs will also be on hand to answer questions about the program.

What: U.S. Soccer Colorado Rapids Colorado Rush and Real Colorado "Town Hall Meeting" to discuss the US Soccer Development Academy

Wh Featured Speaker- John Hackworth U.S. Men’s Assistant Coach and Technical Director for the Development Academy program

When: Sunday November 16 2008 at 5:00 pm MT

Where: Press Level at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Cost: Free to attend for all members of the Colorado soccer community! Registration is not required; simply show up on Nov. 16 and enter at Gate G at the stadium.

ABOUT THE COLORADO RAPIDS SOCCER ACADEMY
In August of 2007 the Rapids Soccer Academy was accepted as a charter member of U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy. The Development Academy program was developed to enhance the development of the country’s top players through high technical standards and a focus on meaningful competition.

Development Academy teams represent the top teams in the Rapids Academy. Participants are also part of the MLS Homegrown Player program and are eligible for events exclusive to members of MLS clubs.

For 2008-2009 the Development Academy will consist of U16 (players born on or after 1/1/92) and U18 (players born on or after 1/1/90) teams.

Players are selected through a combination of scouting training evaluations and open tryouts. Evaluation happens on a year-round basis with open tryouts being held in the fall.

Training for these teams begins in November at the completion of high school season in the fall. Development Academy teams will train a minimum of three times per week at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Development Academy season consists of 30 games beginning in November and ending with the Academy Finals in July.
For more information on the Rapids Academy click here.