"2010 (ODP) OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REGION IV CHAMPIONSHIP"

What is ODP? Gary Mitsuyasu who was at the 2010 ODP IV Championship which was held at Phoenix Arizona gave me the following story and information about this year's event. ODP, or Olympic Development Program is a national identification and development program for high level soccer players. The program identifies and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state, region, and the United States. Players that qualify are selected and placed in the Hawaii State Team Pool and attend the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Camp on the Mainland. Some Hawaii ODP notables include Brian Ching and Natasha Kai.

This year's tournament will feature some of the best talent in the USA and nine teams will compete for the "2010 Region IV Championship Crown." The following teams this year are Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, two Nevada teams, New Mexico, powerhouse Cal South and Hawaii. On Saturday, January 16, 2010, Hawaii played against Cal South and in the first half, Cal South took a 5-0 lead and in the second half, Hawaii came back and held Cal South 0-0, but in the end Cal South took the win 5-0. On Sunday, Hawaii 96 girls played against Nevada 97 and Arizona, and shut out Nevada 97, 5-0 and Arizona 3-0. Solid defense and excellent mid-field helped our defense. Hawaii needed a win or tie against New Mexico on Monday to advance to the semi-finals. In the end, Hawaii came out 2-1 and advanced to the final four semi's.

At the semi finals, Hawaii played pool #2 champions, Nevada. Nevada is a very fast and physical team. At times we wondered if there were any referees out there! Our Hawaii 96's fought hard but in the end came up short with a 3-0 loss to pool #2 champions, Nevada. The whole experience wasn't a total loss, but a valuable lesson for all of our girls for the rest of their lives. The finals pitted Cal South against Nevada, with Cal South winning the tournament.

"Congratulations" to all who participated and to CJ Fajardo (Pearl City), Sammy Nishiyama (Aina Hina), Ellis Akana (Aina Hina), Megan Goo (Honolulu), Kristi Kaneta (Honolulu), Nycole Mitsuyasu (Ewa Beach), Lily Higashino (Maui) and Hannah Leialoha Kaina (Village Park) and especially to the following players, Nycole Mitsuyasu and Kristi Kaneta who made the 1996 2nd team, "ODP Championship Girls All Tournament Team." Also special thanks to Gary Mitsuyasu (his photo above), Kate Knight (head coach), Kris Oishi (Assistant coach) and Dru and Kalani Taylor (Administrators) for this awesome story to share on your trip and the "2010 ODP Region IV Championship in Phoenix, Arizona." ODP information and video/photos, "click here". ODP News Letter "click here"