Virginia Beach City FC Academy Joins US Youth Soccer EDP National League and EDP Conferences Starting Fall 2019

NORFOLK, VA. (April 26, 2019) — Virginia Beach City FC Academy will become EDP’s newest member in the Commonwealth of Virginia competing in the South Atlantic Conference. 

“We are very excited to announce our acceptance into a youth league platform that gives our academy the ability to compete on a national stage at the highest levels in the country,” stated Virginia Beach City FC President Steven Wagoner.

US Youth Soccer National League EDP Conferences will offer two tiers of divisions in addition to the existing EDP programming. Both EDP and new to EDP teams will be eligible to apply for these divisions with top teams advancing directly into the US Youth Soccer National League and the Regional Championships in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series (NCS).

EDP's offerings through US Youth Soccer are unique. Most Hampton Road's soccer clubs participate in state leagues through Virginia Youth Soccer Association, VYSA which does not provide a national playoff for top performing teams in each league's 1st division. 

EDP, one of the country’s largest leagues with over 3,500 teams, entered into a long-term agreement starting 2018 with US Youth Soccer to manage four National League conferences in the East Region of the US Soccer map.

US Youth Soccer is the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation with more than 3M players between the ages of five and nineteen and over 600k volunteers and administrators.

"From day one our goal has been to offer the full player development pathway from recreational to professional within VB City FC.  In a short time, through the energy, effort, and support of our leadership, staff, and families, we have been able to see this model come to fruition," stated VP of Soccer Operations Brian Hinkey.

In addition to EDP, VB City FC is the exclusive Hampton Roads Soccer Affiliate of D.C. United of MLS and also enjoys a working relationship with Washington Spirit of NWSL and Richmond United’s US Soccer Development Academy. These opportunities provide additional training opportunities and learning experiences for VB City FC Academy players. 

"We will continue to push players to the highest levels possible when appropriate and create environments where they can receive a balance between challenge and success," stated Brian Hinkey. "Through this variety of experiences and solid training framework, we can connect players to developmental and exposure opportunities at the highest levels of soccer in the United States including MLS, NWSL and youth National Teams."

Virginia Beach City FC Academy recent highlights examples include:

• Samuel Jones scouted by D.C. United and Philadelphia Union – Accepted full time position with Philadelphia Union Academy
• Two players scouted by D.C. United Academy – Invited for training and Development Academy Match opportunities.
• Two players selected for the MLS Generation Adidas Cup through D.C. United Academy exposure. 
• Four players identified to participate on a part time basis with Richmond United’s Development Academy
• Over 15 players selected to ODP State Teams
• VYSA State Cup Final Four – Boys 2003 Team and Girls 2000 Team
• Annual Friendly matches against D.C. United Academy, Washington Spirt Academy and Richmond United Academy

VB City FC Academy will continue to participate in local Hampton Roads youth leagues including VSLI as appropriately determined on a team by team basis. EDP will be an additional option for top performing teams in the club. 

ABOUT US YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAMS

	US Youth National Championship Series Each summer US Youth Soccer crowns a boys and girls national champion in each of its seven age divisions (13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U and 19U). The finals are a culmination of a year-long series of competitions at the state and regional levels known as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series which provides approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation.
	US Youth Soccer National League The US Youth Soccer National Leagues Program is for the nation's top 13U through 19U boys and girls age groups, offering additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches. In the 2018-19 soccer season, the program will include the national tier called the National League, which will feature a total of 352 teams, as well as the multi-state tier, which will be comprised of several high-level competitive conferences throughout the country.
	US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
	US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to US Youth Soccer teams from the state to regional to national level.  The Presidents Cup gives players an additional opportunity to compete against teams from across the country at a high level for the joy and the challenge of the game.  It provides the chance to experience a unique US Youth Soccer event with camaraderie, community and competition through sport.

The above programs are examples of exposure and development opportunities for Virginia Beach City FC Academy through US Youth Soccer and EDP.

For a full list of US Youth Soccer Programs visit: https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/about/us-youth-soccer-programs/ 

Virginia Beach City FC Full Year Academy Tryouts are coming soon, sign-up HERE.