Orlando City is revamping its youth academy system, partnering with the Soccer Institute at Boca Prep Academy to develop young talent that could one day play for the Lions’ MLS squad.
Boca Prep will manage and operate the youth program, with Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 boys teams moving from Sylvan Lake Park in Seminole County to the Boca Prep school Boca Raton Fl.
The girls’ teams and the boys Under-12 through Under-14 groups will remain the same and continue to use Sylvan Lake Park facilities.
Some soccer institute athletes may join Orlando City academy players, but they will continue to have a separate training opportunity at West Boca High if they don’t qualify for the Lions’ academy.
“We’re very excited to work together and combine our resources to create what we feel is a fantastic development opportunity for youth soccer players in Florida and throughout the country,” said Eric Eichmann, a former U.S. youth national team player and All-American at Clemson University who directs the Boca Prep soccer institute.
Current Orlando City Development Academy players will not have to pay any extra fees to train at Loggers Run, with the new program subsidized by the Lions. If the academy players wish to enroll in Boca Prep classes or stay at the boarding school, they could apply for financial support from the private school.
“This is an entirely new strategy designed to increase and grow the overall investment in our development academy while offering our younger players the best development opportunities,” Orlando City CEO Alex Leitão said in a news release. “[Soccer Institute of Boca Prep] is an accomplished program with a consistent track record of producing top young talents and exceptional young adults.”
Orlando City assistant coach and academy technical director Bobby Murphy will oversee the development of academy prospects in conjunction with Eichman.
Boca Prep will manage and operate the youth program, with Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 boys teams moving from Sylvan Lake Park in Seminole County to the Boca Prep school Boca Raton Fl.
The girls’ teams and the boys Under-12 through Under-14 groups will remain the same and continue to use Sylvan Lake Park facilities.
Some soccer institute athletes may join Orlando City academy players, but they will continue to have a separate training opportunity at West Boca High if they don’t qualify for the Lions’ academy.
“We’re very excited to work together and combine our resources to create what we feel is a fantastic development opportunity for youth soccer players in Florida and throughout the country,” said Eric Eichmann, a former U.S. youth national team player and All-American at Clemson University who directs the Boca Prep soccer institute.
Current Orlando City Development Academy players will not have to pay any extra fees to train at Loggers Run, with the new program subsidized by the Lions. If the academy players wish to enroll in Boca Prep classes or stay at the boarding school, they could apply for financial support from the private school.
“This is an entirely new strategy designed to increase and grow the overall investment in our development academy while offering our younger players the best development opportunities,” Orlando City CEO Alex Leitão said in a news release. “[Soccer Institute of Boca Prep] is an accomplished program with a consistent track record of producing top young talents and exceptional young adults.”
Orlando City assistant coach and academy technical director Bobby Murphy will oversee the development of academy prospects in conjunction with Eichman.
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