Dear Coaches and Player-Families:

Welcome! To the Nassau Development Program Fall 2015 season.

The NDP is a cooperative partnership of the Carle Place, Garden City Centennial, Hewlett-Lawrence, Levittown, Lynbrook/East Rockaway, Plainedge, Plainview Old Bethpage, Rockville Centre, Wantagh-Seaford PAL, and West Hempstead Chiefs soccer clubs.

The program, now in it's 6th year, began in the fall of 2010 as a platform for Under 9 (U9) intramural players and expanded in the fall of 2011 to include Under 8 (U8) intramural players. NDP involves controlled games (“friendlies”) within a group of geographically convenient soccer clubs sharing a common focus on proper, age-appropriate match conditions in support of a focus on the development of U8 and U9 players.

The philosophy of the NDP is commensurate with the United States Soccer Federation’s Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States:

Competition is a central element in a player’s development. At the youth level (ages 6-12); however, a competitive environment should not be a result-oriented environment. The differences must be clear. A competitive environment at the youth level encourages decisions from player and coach alike that focus on performance rather than outcome (favoring ball skill and inventiveness as the means to find success within the rules and spirit of the game).

The result is just one indicator of performance and at this age, not the most important one…At the youth level, matches are important as a means to player development (enjoyment, ball skill, insight, and fitness), not as the aim. These competitive situations are a series of tests for kids. In this respect, the usefulness of the game can occur in many different forms. Focus on the process and performance rather than the outcome…

NDP provides a highly flexible and cost effective environment for introducing young players to a competitive environment beyond their intramural programs while ensuring an appropriate focus on development. Each club has the flexibility to organize their NDP teams in a manner that conforms to the club’s philosophy.

NDP games may be played in lieu or as a supplement to intramural games. Roster size is at the discretion of each club. Matches are scheduled based on factors including the availability of fields and the availability of trainers. Over a season, a minimum of seven (7) weekends of games are scheduled for U9 teams and five (5) weekends of games are scheduled for U8 teams.

The suggested format of games is 6v6 for U8 (5 + GK) and 8v8 for U9 (& + GK). In order to meet the needs of both teams, matches may be played on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Results of NDP match conditions will not be recorded and there will not be standings for NDP teams. The focus of the NDP match conditions is performance without emphasis on the results. Coaches are expected to take necessary steps to keep goal differential within a reasonable margin.

Appropriate behavior by players, coaches, and spectators is expected at all times prior to, during, and following NDP matches. Matches will be officiated by youth referees of the home team’s club. Abuse of the referee by coaches, players, or spectators will not be tolerated. Coaching from the spectator sideline is not helpful to players and not appreciated during NDP matches. Each club has an NDP coordinator. Inappropriate behavior will be referred to the club’s NDP coordinator and handled by the club.

The Carle Place, Garden City Centennial, Hewlett-Lawrence, Levittown, Lynbrook/East Rockaway, Plainedge, Plainview Old Bethpage, Rockville Centre, Wantagh-Seaford PAL and West Hempstead Chiefs soccer clubs are committed to making participating in the NDP an enjoyable and beneficial experience for the players. All the clubs appreciate your assistance in making this happen and look forward to a positive experience for the players.

Have a great season!