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New Palace USA Academy U-13 sessions announced

October 6, 2008 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace FC USA is pleased to announce that training sessions for the five youngest age groups of the club's new Professional Development Academy will begin on Sunday, October 19th 2008.

The initial session for the U-13 age group - for boys born during 1996 - will take place at Goucher College from 4:00pm to 5:30pm on October 19th with a second session at the same time on Sunday October 26th at the same venue. The coaches for the U-13 team are Gary Dunda and Dan Kane, Head Coach and Assistant Coach respectively at Goucher College.

U-13 players (born in 1996) are invited to attend our first two sessions at no cost. Players are asked to register online at http://academy.crystalpalaceusa.com to ensure their spot and to save time at onsite check-in.

Matt Smith, Director of the Palace USA Academy, explained the exciting changes in the Academy: "Whereas in the past the Academy competed in the same competitions as United States Youth Soccer Association/Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (USYSA/MSYSA) club teams, the new set-up separates the Academy out from those competitions and opens up the possibility for all youth players in the mid-Atlantic region to be a part of this special program. This is the only program of its kind in the United States and is a great way to get young players into a trans-Atlantic professional set-up with top notch, professional trainers and curriculum. Our outstanding coaching staff is selected based on their ability to improve good players in a short period of time and includes coaches from several universities as well as coaches with significant Olympic Development Program (ODP) experience."

Director of Curriculum/Scouting for the Academy, Keith Tabatznik, summed up the benefits of the new setup: "Any player in our program will be able to say that he is a member of Crystal Palace USA's Youth Academy, but he will still be able to play for his USYSA/MSYSA club team. We believe what we can do with these youth players just once a week will make a big difference in their game."

Locations and times of the initial sessions for the U-9 through U-12 age groups, along with coaching assignments, will be posted on the Academy website this week. U-14, U-15 and U-17 team sessions are expected to be announced in the new year.

Details of the Academy program can be found at http://academy.crystalpalaceusa.com or by calling Palace USA at (410) 933-8326.

The mission for Crystal Palace FC USA's Professional Development Academy is three-fold: 1. To identify and develop talented, dedicated youth soccer players and provide them professional soccer instruction based on the 103 years of experience and success of the Crystal Palace FC Youth Academy in England, widely regarded as one of the best Academies in the U.K.

2. To provide unparalleled opportunities in the game of soccer within the Crystal Palace FC pyramid, both domestically and abroad through international travel and matches against Premier League youth competition, exposure to college coaches and campuses and the college process, and the opportunity to be seen by head North American and European youth scouts for major European and American professional clubs.

3. To influence the game of soccer in a positive way in the Greater Baltimore Metro area by sharing our passion and knowledge of the great game through 100+ years of involvement.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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