Just For Kicks
HAWAII U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program administrators, Herb and Michelle Schreiner, are expanding the program for 2000 by holding the first tryouts on each island. Olympic Development
Program visits each island"We tried it with the under-13 boys and girls and everyone liked it," Herb said. "We just decided that is the way to go with all our age groups."
The ODP's purpose is to identify and develop youth soccer players throughout the country to represent their state association, region and the United States in competition.
The program began in 1977 nationally and started operating locally soon thereafter.
Last year, 228 boys and 145 girls participated in the Hawaii tryouts, which included clinics conducted by college and United States Soccer Federation staff coaches
Hawaii state coaches will handle the initial round of tryouts. Maui is the first, Aug. 6-8, at Keopulani Park.
The remaining camps are Aug. 13-14 in Hilo, Aug. 20-22 on Kauai, Aug 27-29 in Waimea on the Big Island and Sept 4-5 on Oahu at Salt Lake District Park.
Registration costs $125 ($100 if submitted before July 30).
FROM these tryouts, state coaches select players for the state camp in March 2000 during spring break at Kapiolani Park. This is when mainland coaches conduct intense training, watch games and pick players for next summer's regional camps on the mainland.
Registration forms have been sent to all local youth organizations on all islands. The tryouts are open to any player.
The under-14 boys just returned from the regional camp in Nampa, Idaho. Named to the regional team were Nathan Amous (Windward S.C.) and Max Anton, Stephen Carlos and Andy Magyar (all Hawaii Bulls S.C.). Their coach was Sean Richardson (Mililani S.C.).
Other state boys' coaches are Sean Magoun, Kauai, and John Guarin, Kalaheo H.S. (under 17), Fred Guzman, Baldwin H.S. (under 16), and Bruce Omura, Kaiser H.S. (under 15).
Girls' coaches are Dave Mena, Pac-Five (under 17 and under 14), Jason Goodson (under 16) and Andie Masanda, Hawaii Wahine (under 15).
The girls' regional camps are held in Laramie, Wyoming.
Beside developing skills from advanced instruction and competition, ODP players gain exposure to regional and national team coaches and, perhaps most important for many, exposure to college coaches.
UH Wahine head coach Pinsoon Tenzing is currently scouting for recruits at the girls' ODP regional camps.
Every member of the U.S. Women's World Cup team was a college standout. Fourteen have their degrees. The rest are finishing their majors.
You can bet it helped to be on an athletic scholarship.
Inquiries about Hawaii's ODP can be directed to the Schreiners at (808) 395-9592.
HOW totally refreshing to hear statements about their unqualified support for each other from the 20 members of the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team. Coach Tony DiCicco can use a maximum of 14 players (11 starters, 3 subs) per game. Some members won't see action in the tournament, but there's no complaining from this group of women who have captured the hearts of mainstream America.
And, one has to wonder if the U.S. women would be a power on the world soccer stage if Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments Act had not become law. Very doubtful.
As for Saturday's title match with China, the Americans better have their defense organized right from the opening whistle and pull the shot trigger without hesitation.