Get Newsletter

PDP Gears Up For Busy Summer Schedule

While most players take a break from the beautiful game during the summer, for some of the top talents in Northern California, this season is imperative as NorCal Premier Soccer’s free Player Development Program heats up with several important events.

After regional scrimmages commence on June 7 in Davis, players will find out their fate for the possible selection of being a part of PDP’s trip to Sweden where both a boys and girls side will participate in the prestigious Gothia Cup, a top-level youth tournament that brings in some of the best teams from the world.

The Gothia Cup serves as a reward for those players who have shown well throughout the year and have competed at the highest level.

“In the PDP there is a goal for the whole structure of the program to make the development of the player complete,” said PDP Director Paolo Bonomo. “If you just are training, there’s no goal for the player to compete for.”

While only 18 players from both the boys and girls will make the squad for Sweden, there are several other events for the rest of the group to look forward to.

In addition to a college showcase hosted by Santa Rosa United on June 9 and a playdate on June 10 in Davis, there are several camps and high-level trainings to help improve the area’s top players.

When in Davis, the players will be treated to free-of-cost national team style housing, where they will stay in a hotel and have all of their meals covered by the program.

“We want to replicate the feeling of a national team camp,” said  PDP head scout Ian Mork. “If we treat the players af if they’re in a professional environment, they will undoubtedly treat the situation more seriously and improve both on and off the field.”

Following that, players will be selected for the first-ever PDP national event, in which boys and girls squads will travel to New York to compete against the top players around the country in conjunction with US Club Soccer.

All costs other than the flight are covered by NorCal Premier, and scholarships are available if  needed.

“We think it’s very good because the kids can measure themselves against the teams that play in the strongest league in the country,” Bonomo said. “Under US Club soccer, we will go to the East Coast this year with the regional selection.”