When Honduras defeated the U.S. men’s soccer team 2-1 in March, it marked the third consecutive Olympic games that the American team failed to qualify for.
“We’re the only country where the time clock starts to shrink on their development as players after high school,” said Peter Bunting, head coach for a new program that is designed to change that.
The Pre-College Development Program will be headquartered in the Augusta area. Its related team will be known as Augusta United FC, and it will play its home games at Blanchard Woods Soccer Park. The first home game is tentatively set for Aug. 28.
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Bunting said 25 players will be part of the inaugural season, which will involve more than just playing the game. The program is drawing players from across the nation and other countries. Players will come from as far as Washington state and Mexico.
Some of the athletes will take classes from Georgia Military College while others will be enrolled online. Augusta United FC will be part of the United Premier Soccer League.
The beauty of the program is that it will prepare the athletes for college without using any of their eligibility, and after two years, they will be more competitive. Athletes could conceivably go into a university as academic juniors but with the eligibility of freshmen. And they could earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years.
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With the development in the Augusta area, they’d enter college with more mature athletic skills.
When it comes to college scholarships, coaches are always looking for the greatest return on their investment, said Bunting, and this situation provides the best return not only for the coaches but the players.
Bunting said the organization has enlisted some of the professionals in developing a physical training program. One of the therapists whose expertise has been tapped for the program is focused on preventing sports-related injuries, and she’s had a high success rate.
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He also feels it’s important to get the young adults involved in community activities. Prior to games, some of the players will participate in pre-game soccer activities with area children. Bunting also plans to have them volunteer with local non-profits.
He said he’s looking forward to this program starting and believes it will be the first of others like it to come.
Players will be arriving in early August.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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