New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) is committed to giving every player in the region the opportunity to develop, compete, and grow. This fall, two of New York State West’s premier player development programs return in The NYW Academy and Olympic Development Program (ODP). Whether your child is stepping into a high-level training environment for the first time or ready to take the next step on the path to higher competition, these are programs built for them.
Here is everything you need to know.
The NYW Academy
The NYW Academy is a six-session training program built around one goal: developing better players. Led by New York State West’s nationally certified coaching and ODP staff, the program focuses on technical ability, tactical awareness, and building confidence with the ball in a positive, high-quality learning environment.
Originally created for ODP players, The Academy opened its doors in 2015 to all eligible players across the region, no ODP affiliation required. It is open to boys and girls ages 9U through 14U who are serious about their development and ready to train at a higher level.
Fall 2026 Schedule
All sessions are held on Sundays from August 30 to October 25 across five locations in Western New York.
- Buffalo: Ken Dev Soccer Complex, Tonawanda | 11 AM to 12:30 PM | Coach: Dave Kreger
- Elmira: Eldridge Park | 11 AM to 12:30 PM | Coach: Zach Sarno
- Rochester: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Penfield | Noon to 1:30 PM | Coach: Jim Gentile
- Olean: TBA | 11 AM to 12:30 PM | Coach: Colton Bly
- Syracuse: TBA | 11 AM to 12:30 PM | Coach: Darek Panol
Registration and Pricing
The cost of this program is $250 per player, and spots are limited at each location. All registrations must be completed online. Walk-up registrations are no longer accepted.
- Register for The NYW Academy
- Any questions? Please contact Dave Kreger at Techdir@nyswysa.org.
Olympic Development Program (ODP)
New York State West ODP is one of the most respected player development pathways in the country. The program brings together the region’s most motivated players, challenges them in a new environment alongside and against players from different clubs, and opens doors that club soccer alone cannot always provide.
ODP registration is now open across all age groups. Following is a breakdown by age group.
10U/11U Pre-ODP Program (2016, 2017 Birth Years)
The 10U/11U Pre-ODP Program is the entry point into the New York State West ODP pathway. Designed for serious and committed young players, the program provides high-level, age-appropriate training in a familiar local environment, with no tryouts required. All age-eligible players are welcome to register.
The program runs five indoor sessions on Friday evenings from December 2026 through April 2027, plus a culminating Play Day outdoor event on Sunday, May 2, 2027, at Lakefront Basket Road Fields in Webster, New York. Each session includes a 75-minute training session and a 30-minute classroom lecture covering topics such as proper training habits, team building, and age-appropriate tactics.
The program is offered at four district locations:
- Buffalo: Sportsplex Inc, North Tonawanda | Saturdays, 12:30 PM to 2 PM | Director: Jason Gac
- Binghamton: J.M. McDonald Sports Complex | Fridays, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Director: Zach Sarno
- Rochester: RNY FC Indoor Soccer Complex | Fridays, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Director: Jim Gentile
- Syracuse: OLR Indoor Training Center | Fridays, 6:00 Pm to 8:15 PM | Director: Darek Panol
Registration Information:
- Registration Fee: $250 per player.
- A required ODP training kit (approximatley $75) must also be ordered online separately.
- Register for the 10U/11U Pre-ODP Program
- View Full Program Details
12U ODP (2015 Birth Year)
The 12U ODP program begins with winter indoor training at local and regional sites, designed to bring high-level development closer to players across the New York State West footprint. Site locations include Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. Indoor training runs from December 2026 through April 2027, with 10 training sessions plus five classroom sessions. In the spring, tryouts are held to select the State ODP outdoor pool, which advances to the East Region ODP Tournament in June.
- The indoor registration fee is $430 per player.
- Register for 12U ODP Indoor Training
- View Full 12U ODP Schedule and Details
13U/14U ODP (2013, 2014 Birth Years)
District tryouts for 13U and 14U players are being held across four locations in late September, with call-back tryouts to follow in October. All tryouts are conducted outdoors on natural grass fields.
District Tryout Dates and Locations:
- Buffalo: Saturday, September 27th | 10:30 AM to 1 PM
- Rochester: Friday, September 26th | 10:30 AM to 1 PM
- Syracuse: Saturday, September 27th | 10:30 AM to 1 PM
- Binghamton: Friday, September 26th | 10:30 AM to 1 PM
Registration Details:
- Call-back tryouts will be held on Sunday, October 4th, in Rochester.
- Register for 13U and 14U ODP Tryouts
15U/16U/17U ODP (2010, 2011, 2012 Birth Years)
Tryouts for 15U, 16U, and 17U players are held in December at the Lakefront Indoor Soccer Complex in Rochester. Boys and girls tryouts are held on separate dates.
Boys Tryouts:
- Saturday, December 12th: 15U Boys (2012s)
- Sunday, December 13th: 16U, 17U Boys (2010s, 2011s)
Girls Tryouts:
- Saturday, December 19th: 15U Girls (2012s)
- Sunday, December 20th: 16U, 17U Girls (2010s, 2011s)
Register for 15U, 16U, 17U ODP Tryouts
19U ODP College Prep Program (2008, 2009 Birth Years)
New York State West has independently expanded its ODP programming to include a 19U College Prep training program, a level that does not exist nationally. Designed for serious players with an eye toward playing soccer in college, the 19U program provides high-level competitive training to supplement club and high school soccer. No tryouts are required, but the program is geared toward players with a strong desire for self-improvement and a commitment to training at an elite level.
The indoor program runs five training dates at the Lakefront Indoor Soccer Complex in Rochester (Webster). Each date includes two 90-minute training sessions with a lecture in between, covering topics such as proper training habits, tactics, nutrition, college recruiting, and mental performance. An outdoor spring phase (including scrimmages against college teams) will follow, with an additional fee assessed once that schedule is confirmed.
Boys and girls train on separate dates. An optional goalkeeper training program is also available at no additional cost for 19U goalkeepers.
Registration fee: $300 per player (indoor training only). A required ODP training kit (approximately $75) must be ordered separately.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether your child is ready to train at a higher level through The NYW Academy or prepared to take the next step in the ODP pathway, now is the time to register. Spots are limited and deadlines are approaching, so sign up today!
For more information on both programs, visit the New York State West ODP page or contact Dave Kreger at Techdir@nyswysa.org.
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