CAROLINA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE FORMED FOR 2018-2019
NC/SC Academy Directors Collaborate to Provide Improved Competitive Platform
The Carolina Development League has been created to provide an improved competitive platform for U11 boys soccer players in North Carolina. The formation of the league marks an exciting collaboration amongst current clubs participating in the U12 US Soccer Development Academy Program. This league will be for players born in 2008 and after.
This new initiative aims to improve the quality of competition for our region’s 9,10,11 year olds by providing consistent, developmentally appropriate matches and events. In addition to full fall and spring season schedules, the league will provide events and festivals for additional competition during the year. Each academy club will manage a pool of 22-26 players that will compete as (2) 9v9 teams on each match day. These teams and players will not participate in other leagues throughout the year.
The Carolina Development League schedule will align with the U12 US Soccer Development Academy schedule for the 2018-2019 season, with U11 Pre-DA games being played around the U12 US Soccer DA game times. This is designed to increase club and program connectivity, player development monitoring from club’s DA staff, enhanced club culture, and continuity of programming.
This league will align player development with the expectations of the U12 Development Academy Program and better prepare players for the higher standards of the DA competition in years to come. This will also better connect individual player pathways for young players from Zone 1 (6-11 years old) and Zone 2 (12-18 years old), in each participating club. This will also help integrate players in each Development Academy Program at early ages.
Participating clubs will be: Carolina Rapids, Charlotte Soccer Academy, Charlotte Soccer Academy – North, Discoveries Soccer Club, North Carolina Fusion, North Carolina FC Youth – Del Sol, North Carolina FC Youth – North, North Carolina FC Youth – South, and Queen City Mutiny. Each club will be communicating more information to their membership soon.
Further information can be found at www.carolinadevelopmentleague.com.
About US Soccer Development Academy
The Academy Program focuses on positively impacting everyday club environments to assist in maximizing youth player development across the country. The Academy values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles. The Academy sets the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide and is part of U.S. Soccer’s global leadership position in youth soccer that will impact thousands of players. The Academy has 197 total clubs, comprised of teams across six age groups in the boys program: U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16/17, and U-18/19.
