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Fire, Spirit Selected for U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy

06/30/2016, 5:30pm EDT
By AARON CRANFORD - aaron.cranford@uslsoccer.com

New program created to accelerate the development of high-level female players

Two Super Y League-member clubs have been announced to be a part of U.S. Soccer's new Girls' Development Academy.

The Concorde Fire (Atlanta, Georgia) and Washington Spirit Academy are two clubs that will be a part of the new initiative by U.S. Soccer, which is striving to accelerate the development of female players across the country with the implementation of this new program.

“Launching a Girls' Development Academy is part of an unprecedented commitment to elevating the women's game," said U.S. Soccer Women's Technical Director April Heinrichs. "The Development Academy program will offer clubs support and education to positively impact the development of players and coaches throughout the country.”

"We all know how important it is to create the correct environment and expectations for elite player development, something that was highlighted for me during my time as Development Director for our youth Women’s National Teams,” said U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis. “The Development Academy is an important step forward to continue the growth of the women’s game in the United States, and to create the best pathway for players to reach their full potential.”

Club leadership, quality of the coaching staff, investment in development and a history of player production for Youth National Teams, the senior Women’s National Team and professional leagues are among the criteria used to determine acceptance into the Girls' Development Academy.

U.S. Soccer's program features three age groups: U-14/15, U-16/17 and U-18/19. Play will begin in the fall of 2017.

For more information on the Girls' Development Academy, visit ussoccer.com.

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