I joined the Tennessee Olympic Development Program (ODP) soccer team in Summer 2024. This program brings together some of the best soccer players from across the state to train once a month. In the winter, we also play against teams from Kentucky and Georgia. Some players are selected to represent Tennessee ODP at the Regional combine and games during the summertime.

ODP Training: Labor Day Weekend

For the first training session of the 2025-26 year, we met over Labor Day weekend. The training sessions are held centrally in Murfreesboro, TN, at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex. I’m very familiar with this location since this is where my club soccer team, Kings Hammer Murfreesboro, practices and plays its home games.

Training and Testing

On holiday weekends, we get an extra training session, which means we get to train and compete in four sessions instead of three. This year, they substituted one of our training sessions with testing. The testing by RefineTN and FootieFit provide a baseline of where we are with speed, jumping, passing, and decision-making.

We’re still waiting for all of the testing scores to post to the Praxis app. But, I received my passing and decision-making scores. This drill had four rebounder boards with sensors & lights in them. As each rebounder lit up, you had to pass to that board. They timed to see how long it took to get to 20 hits.

Training and Game Schedule

This year, the training sessions will be held:

• Aug 30-Sept 1 – Labor Day Weekend
• Oct 4-5 – Fall Break
• Nov 1-2 – Last Training of 2025
• Dec 13-14 – Games in Atlanta
• Jan 17-19 – MLK Weekend
• Feb 14-16 – Games in Murfreesboro / President’s Weekend
• Mar 14-15 – Spring Break

Since I’m in high school now, my ODP season ends in February once we report to our school teams. But, I can still attend ODP training sessions as long as it doesn’t interfere with my KHM schedule.