Parallel to the start of the new PDL team “Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Academy” a new program for talented young Soccer Players will be launched. 4 teams in the age groups U12, U14, U16 and U18/19 will be formed.  

The year round program will start with the Schulz Academy/West Ham Camp on May 14, 15, 16, where the best players will be chosen. The program will continue with the Super Y League season of the “Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Academy PDL” with games on June 1st through August 29th, and will continue with other specific games , events and tournaments throughout the year.

“Although the players will have enough matches during the season, the focus of this program will be consistent, high level training. There is a reason why in Florida with all the talent here, no players, except Josmer Altidore, made it to a serious pro level. Players change clubs too often, and most of the different coaches, except a few, teach them things which don’t exist in modern soccer anymore. There is no consistency in the development of a young player especially in Florida.

I really believe that there are other Jozy Altidores out there, but in the past these talents were moving each year from one club to the other and from one coach to the other, and at the end wasted their time till it was too late. There are a lot of good coaches and trainers, but at the end the little details of the highest level of this sport you only can teach when you played at this level. And these little details at the end make the difference whether you become a college player or a high paid professional. I give myself another five years where I will be active on the soccer field with the players, and exactly these details I want to pass on to the talented young players in this new program.

Very important is the talent, but even more important is the commitment to practices, the desire to learn and discipline. There will be no politics involved, and high standards of top European Soccer Academies based on the partnership with the West Ham United International Academy will be matched. Players will be individually monitored and prepared for the highest level. If a player at the end makes it to the pros depends on a lot of things, but at least a scholarship at a prestigious college should be the minimum goal.

For sure we want to attract the most talented players, but more important in this new program is the absolute desire to learn, commitment to practices to get the necessary physical and mental toughness to be able to perform on the highest level.        

We showed already in the past that we can do this, and we are going back to the roots, work with a small number of players, and focus on the details of their development”, describes Josef Schulz, who will not only supervise the whole program, but also be on the field with the players.

“With our partnership with the West Ham International Academy we also have the direct line to one of the best, if not the best, Soccer Academy in Europe. Our top players will be invited to London on a consistent basis, where they can get some international experience and train with the best international talent in their age group. Also trips to Brazil and England every summer and an international tournament in January in Ft. Lauderdale are planned within this program”, says Stephan von Lattorff, Manager and Director of Marketing of the new Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Academy PDL club. 

The first step of the program will be the try outs for the 2010 SYL season for “Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Academy PDL” on:

1.  Saturday, March 6, 2010:

U13, 14, 15 Boys and Girls 10:30am-11:30am

U16,17 Boys and Girls 11:30am-12:30pm

at Central Broward Regional Park, Northeast Corner of Sunrise Blvd and US-441.

2. Monday, March 8, 2010:

U13, 14, 15 Boys and Girls 6:30pm-7:30pm

U16, 17 Boys and Girls 7:30-8:30pm

at South Country Regional Park, 11200 Park Access Road, 33498 Boca Raton, Field 3 South end.

3. Friday, March 12 2010:

U13, 14, 15 Boys and Girls 6:30pm-7:30pm

U16, 17 Boys and Girls 7:30-8:30pm

at South Country Regional Park, 11200 Park Access Road, 33498 Boca Raton, Field 3 South end.

Parents should sign their kids in at the registry next to the field before they enter it.

Bring:

- Soccer gear

- Copy of birth certificate

- Photo

- Filled out Medical Release Form (print form out at:  http://supery.uslsoccer.com/docs/Administration/Handbook/medical%20release%20form.pdf )

- A lot of talent!!

U13 (players born on/after 8/1/96)
U14 (players born on/after 8/1/95)
U15 (players born on/after 8/1/94)
U16 (players born on/after 8/1/93)
U17 (players born on/after 8/1/92)