Two Atlanta Clubs Named in 25-club Girls’ Developmental Academy

US Soccer released the 25 clubs that will be included in the Girls’ Developmental Academy set to begin play in 2017. The mission is to develop world-class female soccer players and improve the overall development of women’s soccer in the US.

Concorde Fire and NASA Tophat were among the teams chosen to help launch the program and will represent Georgia and the immediate Atlanta area in the developmental program.

“Launching a Girls’ Development Academy is part of an unprecedented commitment to elevating the women’s game,” U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director April Heinrichs said in the release. “The Development Academy program will offer clubs support and education to positively impact the development of players and coaches throughout the country.”

“The Development Academy is an important step forward to continue the growth of the women’s game in the United States,” said US Women’s head coach, Jill Ellis.

This also offers a clear and direct path for players to reach the national teams and achieve their full potential. This has been long overdue and it’s great to see two Atlanta clubs very much in the mix of attributing to the women’s game.