Why is the Super Y-League implementing an Olympic Development Program?
Vermes: Theres really a two-fold answer to that. On one level we are trying to give another option to players. Competition makes both programs better. Theres no question we can improve the product, because from a perspective of identifying players for the national team pool, people are being missed. Perhaps more importantly, in the SYL ODP, players are going to be evaluated in their natural playing environment. Soccer in this country has evolved incredibly over the last 10 to 15 years and to set up a player identification system that does not conflict with the busy playing schedules the players already have, is the right thing to do. The top players are getting great training already from the many good clubs out there. The evolution of the game in the country has developed coaches that are able to identify players within the club system. With SYL ODP theyll be evaluated in the context of their club schedule.
