Structure

NorCal’s PDPs are sanctioned as Olympic Development Programs (ODP) via US Club Soccer’s id2 and Player Development Programs.

Regional

Note: Recommendation forms for regional players sent to club directors on June 10th 2024

Age Groups: U12-U14  (2013,2012,2011)

Season: August – June

Overview: This group will train one time per month in each region.  Trainings will be on Mondays.  Selected players will get the opportunity to participate in playdates against other regions.

Recommendation:  Through DOC recommendation during window (July) or by being scouted by PDP staff.

Note: Players in younger age groups than listed above, will only be considered in exceptional circumstances in a case by case basis with final approval of PDP director

State Pool

Age Groups: 

U16  State Pool   (2010,2009 )

U18  State Pool   (2008,2007 )

*2007 Juniors only

Season: September – June

Recommendation: Scouted by PDP staff and performance at Regional PDP trainings.

Overview:

During the fall the state pool group will be split into inter-regional groups and will train one time a month at different locations.

• Region 5, 6 and North State – Fairfield/Vallejo
• Region  2, 3/4 and South State – Dublin
• Region 7, 8 and Central State – Merced (Boys Only)

During spring (After High School Season) We will make a State Selection that will train in a State central location (Dublin) with a goal to select teams to compete Internationally in the summer.

State Selection

Selected players from our State Pool’s will get the opportunity to participate in showcase games, a residential state camp, international trips, college showcases, tournaments, and events where they compete against other State PDP programs. They will also be evaluated and recommended if age appropriate for ID2, US Training Center, and National Team programs.

Eligibility

Revised NorCal PDP Selection Policy. (November 2024)

Over the last 20 years of NorCal Premier Soccer, we have always looked to invest a significant amount of the revenue from competition fees into soccer development projects to provide opportunities for players, coaches, and referees to continue developing their abilities and to further develop the sport we all love in Northern California. The NorCal Player Development Program (PDP) has grown into a program that serves as a reference point for youth leagues throughout the country, and over 2,000 players from NorCal Member Clubs can participate in this program every season. PDP assists clubs in developing their most talented and dedicated players by providing players from any NorCal club, regardless of background, financial means, or location, opportunities to train and push themselves alongside like-minded players and to travel and play international games against elite teams from different countries – all vital experiences in the journey of talented young soccer players.

The NorCal Board of Directors has decided that NorCal PDP staff may only consider players currently playing in NorCal Member Clubs for PDP selection. This will continue to include players from NorCal Member Clubs who compete in non-NorCal competitions. However, players not registered in NorCal Member Clubs will no longer be eligible for selection. If you have questions about this policy or NorCal PDP, please contact NorCal’s Technical Programs Manager, David Robertson (drobertson@norcalpremier.com).

Selection Process

NorCal PDP Player Selection Process.

• All coaching staff meet and discuss each player who has attended tryout right after the session has concluded.

• A system rating 1-5 is used (see below) The rating has a minimum standard based on the program that the player needs to meet to be invited back to the next session. Minimum Standard: Regional “2” State “3”

• All the scores from the coaching staff are considered in the evaluation of a player (Generally 4-6 scores)

• Final decision must be unanimous among the coaching staff, if a player is not invited back
  If even just one score among of all scores on a particular player meets the minimum standard, that player will be invited back on what is called “on a bubble” till all the coaching staff reaches a unanimous decision.

• If a coach has a conflict of interest with a player who plays in the same club where he-she is coaching, that particular coach will not be part of the discussion-evaluation of the player and his-her score is not considered
• A coach may not coach in PDP in the age group (s) they coach within club.

Rating System For NorCal PDP Players

5    Top US Youth National Team Player

4.5  US Youth National Team

4     US Soccer National Pool Player

3.5   Top NORCAL PDP/US Youth ID

3     NORCAL PDP State Pool

2.5  PDP Junior State Pool

2     NORCAL PDP Regional pool

1.5  Top Club level

1 Local Club level

Letter Sent To PDP Famalies

Click Here  for a copy of the player/parent agreement sent to players selected to participate in the PDP program