GENERAL PHILOSOPHY
The game's future, from a domestic point of view as well as from the perspective of a successful US National team, depends upon ensuring that the best young players are given every opportunity to fulfill their potential. Our culture and the present youth soccer infrastructure do not provide a consistent system of player development. The San Diego Premier League's (SDPL) goal is to create an environment where the sport can move forward in a meaningful way.
Because of cultural and specific NCAA and CIF requirements, this country is faced with challenges that are not to be found elsewhere in powerful soccer nation. These have to be reckoned with in any futuristic planning.
If we are to succeed in challenging for a World Cup we have to overcome these obstacles whilst seeking meaningful change. Four of the key elements that are necessary for a nation to become a world soccer power are:
- A strong-tiered system of leagues.
- Venues that include small stadiums that enhance the fan aspect of the game by being close to the field. The game should be to be played on fields that are minimum 70 yards x 110 yards as in the rest of the world.
- Competition between teams in the country for club youth teams and professional teams to reach their potential
- A matching of talented coaches with talented players (professional coaching).
Most countries have this in place and are represented by the professional club system that matches all of these elements together in their respective clubs. So it is the "professional" game that educates and nurtures talent, funding academies which are supported by their national Federations and Government who provide matching funds.
"It is a sobering fact that England invested over $100,000,000 in 2005 in their academies."
In the USA the burden has fallen on youth clubs that want the game to succeed. They are producing players to supply the National and professional teams.
SDPL will strive to support the youth clubs of San Diego to reach their potential in addressing these missing elements.
