I am often asked about the Development Academy and Elite Clubs National League. Certainly the top players should be in these leagues, but as important as playing in the league is the question of why Ohio Elite is the only member of either and the only NIKE Premier Club in Cincinnati .
Is it our Infrastructure? Coaching? Connections? Politics? Knowledge of the various processes? The simple answer is yes and it is equally important to consider when determining the club your child should play for. Tim is on the US Club BOD, Doug is the V.P. of the ECNL and I was an original member of the MRL Commission (all volunteer positions btw). These are not coincidence.
While training and coaching are the most important and the best parts of our job we spend an equal amount of time away from the field ensuring these opportunities for our players. When proper programming doesn't exist, Tim, Doug and myself have a proven record of helping to create them. The EPL was the first league in Cincinnati to have small-sided games while myself and other area directors worked with other league administrators to adopt it a year later.
Ohio Elite was the only club in Cincinnati to apply for the Development Academy when U.S. Soccer announced it was accepting applications during the spring of 2007. While other clubs made the decision not to apply (I personally made such a decision) or took a wait and see approach, Ohio Elite was once again the leader with its acceptance into a League. U.S. Soccer continues to show a commitment to the inaugural clubs and accepted only 5 clubs out of a pool of 250 applicants for year number three.
There are many qualified trainers in Cincinnati, each with his/her own strengths, but clubs have a responsibility to its membership off the field to help create the right environment for its players on the field. The game is evolving with technical people having a greater influence in policies and programming. In a two-week period in the middle of May, Tim, Doug and I were involved in nearly 30 conference calls and meetings - local, regional and national - directly related to League play and programming.
Membership in these Leagues and the opening of the new 30-acre facility confirm Ohio Elite's commitment toward meeting ALL the demands of players development.
