Hi Families,
I wanted to take a moment to announce the upcoming LPDA Bolts U11-U15 tryout dates. The LPDA Bolts will play in the New England Premiership (NEP) along with other top clubs throughout New England.
What is the LPDA Bolts?
The Lexington Player Development Academy (LPDA) was established in the fall of 2008 to offer enthusiastic Lexington United Soccer players the opportunity to get top professional training and a high level of team play often associated with ‘club’ teams, but at a reduced cost and without the long commute to practice. After a decade of successfully meeting this mission, and with the club soccer landscape evolving, the LPDA joined in a partnership with the Boston Bolts in the fall of 2018. The Boston Bolts have a long tradition of excellence, with a player development focus, which made it an ideal partner as the LPDA continues to evolve and search for the best development paths for our Lexington players. The LPDA Bolts is available only to a limited number of the most committed and talented soccer players in Lexington. The LPDA Bolts is directed by LUSC Director of Coaching, Brendan Donahue.
GU11-12 LPDA tryout
Tuesday June 1st @ Lincoln Field 2
5:30pm to 6:50pm
BU11 and BU12 LPDA tryouts Calendar Years 2010, 2011
Thursday June 3rd @ Lincoln Field 2
5:30pm to 7:00pm
* There will be two Boys and Girls LPDA Bolts teams between the U11 and U12 age groups. They may be strictly calendar year or mixed ages with a tiered approach (1st and 2nd team). We will assess our player pool and make the decision we feel is best for the development of all of our players in the program
GU13-14 LPDA tryout
Tuesday June 1st @ Lincoln Field 2
7:10pm to 8:30pm
BU13-14 LPDA tryout
Thursday June 3rd @ Lincoln Field 2
7:10pm to 8:30pm
* There will be two Boys LPDA Bolts teams between the U13 and U14 age groups. They may be strictly calendar year or mixed ages with a tiered approach (1st and 2nd team). We will assess our player pool and make the decision we feel is best for the development of all of our players in the program.
BU15 LPDA tryout
Thursday June 10th @ Lincoln Field 2
7:10pm to 8:30pm
Note: The U15 LPDA Bolts primary seasons will be winter and spring with the vast majority of players participating in HS soccer. There is no formal Fall U15 LPDA program for that reason. For High School Aged players there is no longer the dual commitment of LPDA Bolts and LUSC Travel. For our 8th Grade LPDA Bolts U15 players, we still encourage remaining with our LUSC travel program and will find ways to supplement travel soccer in the fall with professional training from our LPDA staff.
All Players MUST pre-register on Teamsnap.
LPDA Bolts Coaching
The LPDA is committed to providing the players in the program with top flight coaching from professionally licensed staff. Below is the 2021-2022 LPDA Bolts Staff.
BU11 (2011) Miguel Chavez, LUSC Senior Pro Coach, LUSC Skills Academy Staff, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, National Diploma (NSCAA), 9v9 USSF Grassroots Diploma Level 4 US Futsal Coach
BU12 (2010) Brendan Donahue, LUSC Director of Coaching, Region 1 Olympic Development Staff, USSF A license, NSCAA Premier Diploma, US Youth Soccer National Youth License, Coerver Coaching Diploma, Former MYSA ODP Staff, Former DI-III Collegiate Coach (1995-2005)
BU14 (2008, 2009) Tom Heimreid, LUSC Assistant Director of Coaching, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, NSCAA Premier Diploma, Norwegian Football Federation C license, currently pursuing UEFA License through the Scottish FA, 9v9 USSF Grassroots Diploma
BU15 (2007) Thomas Ballenthin LUSC Pro Coach, DI Final Four Participant & Big East Champion at Providence College, All-New England & All-State at Lexington HS, 9v9 USSF Grassroots Diploma
GU11 TBD
GU12 (2010) Tom Heimreid, LUSC Assistant Director of Coaching, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, NSCAA Premier Diploma, Norwegian Football Federation C license, currently pursuing UEFA License through the Scottish FA, 9v9 USSF Grassroots Diploma
GU13-14 (2008, 2009) Brendan Donahue, LUSC Director of Coaching, Former Region 1 Olympic Development Staff, USSF A license, NSCAA Premier Diploma, US Youth Soccer National Youth License, Coerver Coaching Diploma, Former MYSA ODP Staff, Former DI-III Collegiate Coach (1995-2005)
What is the LPDA Bolts?
The LPDA Bolts is exactly as the title suggests: a player development academy. The entire focus of the coaching staff will be to train players to play the game of soccer at a high level while promoting development and enjoyment.
LPDA Bolts Team Formation
The LPDA Bolts is a select team. Players will be chosen through an evaluation session and through invitation. Players’ selection will be based on a number of criteria: ability, potential, commitment level, and coachability.
Why the LPDA Bolts?
- To provide elite training under professional supervision for the serious player.
- Give players an alternative for continued development beyond travel soccer, while remaining true to the LUSC philosophy.
- Provide Lexington families with a local alternative to Premier Soccer Clubs.
- Continue to develop Lexington players within our soccer community.
The LPDA Bolts is intended for serious, committed soccer players, and it is expected that LPDA families and players will manage their schedules to ensure their commitment is fulfilled. A U14 and below LPDA players’ schedule will include 5 events per week during the fall and spring seasons (including LUSC events), and 1-2 events per week in the winter. It is expected that LPDA players will attend most, if not all, of those events. The LPDA invitation will provide specifics regarding minimum attendance.
For a more complete overview of the LPDA Bolts program as presently structured, please visit the Lexington United website.
LPDA 2021/2022 Full Roster (U14 and below) Academy Requirement
- One weeknight team practice throughout the fall. Girls will train on Tuesday Night; Boys will train on Thursday night.
- Wednesday evening 5:30 to 7:00pm Functional Technical Training Session (description below)
- One Sunday morning/afternoon game in the New England Premiership (NEP) during the fall and spring (typically 8-week season).
- Weekly Yoga/Core zoom sessions throughout November through March (optional)
- 12-15 winter training sessions. (January-March)
- An Ice Breaker Tournament (March)
- A Memorial Day weekend tournament or similar season ending tournament
- An optional Futsal offering during the November/December bridge season (not included in the cost)
Wednesday Afternoon Functional Technical Training
Each Wednesday afternoon during the fall and spring seasons (approximately 20 sessions b/n the fall & spring), Lexington United Director of Coaching, Brendan Donahue and LUSC Assistant Director of Coaching Tom Heimreid along with other LPDA Bolts Coaches will conduct a functional technical training/injury prevention training session for 75 minutes. The goal of these sessions will be to help our academy players “prepare for the demands of the game”. These sessions will be highly focused on improving the functional skill level of our academy players. The Wednesday afternoon pool training will be done in a quality controlled environment since it is restricted to just LPDA players. These sessions are a required part of the LPDA Bolts commitment.
Note: LPDA Bolts Players will be excused from their LUSC pro clinic session. By excusing the academy players we remain consistent in keeping academy players to 5 soccer sessions a week.
The LPDA Bolts is a supplement to, not a replacement for, LUSC Travel/In-town Soccer. Academy players are required to play with their travel or in-town team on Saturdays and attend the individual team practice. Lack of commitment to your LUSC team can result in dismissal from the LPDA program.
We look forward to hopefully seeing you at the tryouts in June.
All the Best,
Brendan
