USA Water Polo

Changes Made To ODP Handbook

2/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

Huntington Beach, CA - February 13 - After many concerns and questions regarding athletes born in even years a change has been made to Phase 2 of the program moving from a two year cycle to a three year cycle. Below is what has changed in the handbook. Click here to view the updated handbook.

ODP Born in Years Changes in Phase 2

Starting in Phase 2 June 1, 2009-May 31^st, 2010; ODP will change from the FINA two-year age group categories and follow a three-year age category that will place an emphasis on the overall development of an athlete’s career.  The three year cycle will enable those athletes who are born in even years to be able to compete for a longer time period and in a more equitable process.  Changing the age cycle categories is only the start of the process of completely analyzing how we develop athletes in our country.  Below is a brief description of the ODP Phases and the new age categories starting in Phase 2. ODP athletes will still be required to FINA age categories for international competition and USAWP age categories for USAWP events.

ODP Phases

The Olympic Development Program will be implemented in two phases. 

Phase 1: January 5^th - May 25^th, 2009  Phase 2: June 1^st, 2009 - May 31^st, 2010

·                    ODP has operated on a 2-year cycle following FINA age categories

o       2008-09 Age Categories (Male and Female)

§         Born in 1991-92 (17/18 & u: Junior)

§         Born in 1993 & u (1516 & u: Youth)

·                                                                                                        Phase 1: January 5^th-May 25, 2009

o       Phase 1 ends May 25th, 2009 at the conclusion of the ODP Championship

§         Phase 1 is the completion of the 2008-09 2 year cycle

ODP Phase 2

·                                                                                                        June 1^st, 2009-May 31^st, 2010

·                                                                                                        In Phase 2, ODP will begin to operate on a yearly schedule

·                                                                                                        ODP will begin on June 1^st and end at the conclusion of the ODP Championships in May of the following year

·                                                                                                        ODP will change from the previous FINA 2-year cycle age categories to an even and odd born in year system that follows a 3-year age cycle

·                                                                                                        The change will place an emphasis on the overall development of an athlete’s career

·                                                                                                        ODP athletes will still be required to follow FINA age categories for international competition and USAWP age categories for USAWP events. 

·                                                                                                        There will be two age categories in Phase 2; June 1, 2009-May 31^st, 2010

o                                                                                                       Level 1: Born in 1992-94

o                                                                                                       Level 2: Born in 1995 & u

Olympic Development Program