Houston Dash Youth - Girls Academy 2
The GA2 is the level below the top tier, which is the Girls’ Academy (“GA”). The GA2 is designed to expand the player pool and provide a clear pathway for players who show the potential to make the jump to the GA level. GA2 implements a highly professional training environment and competitive model for aspiring GA players. Like the GA, the GA2 is a college soccer preparatory program.
Founded on the ideology of the GA program, the GA2 provides a development structure that focuses on playing more meaningful games, a professional game day environment, more training, high-level coaching, focus on developing the individual player, and great exposure in major college showcase events.
For the 2022/2023 season, the Dash GA2 teams will be competing in the U.S. Youth Soccer (“USYS”) Frontier Development League (“FDL”). By joining this league, the Dash are immediately eligible for the USYS South Texas State Championships and have the opportunity to compete and qualify for the USYS National League and USYS Regional Championships.
The Frontier Conference will include: Houston Dash (Houston); Dallas Texans (Dallas), FC Dallas (Dallas); DKSC (Dallas); Solar (Dallas), and Lonestar (Austin).
The US Youth Soccer Frontier Conference is excited to announce that teams competing in the Frontier Development League (FDL) will have a direct pathway into the USYS Southern Regional Championships.
The Houston Dash will be placing two teams in the FDL. Having two teams at the GA2 level allows us to increase the player pool in our Elite player pathway while making participating in the Elite programming more accessible.
Starting for the fall of 2022, we will form GA2 North and GA2 South teams in every age group.
Q: Where will the GA2 players come from?
A: The objective is to assemble the best players within the city of Houston that are not currently participating in the Dash Girls Academy.
Q: What age groups will participate?
A: Girls: U13-U19 (2010-2004 birth years).
Q: Will GA2 players be able to play High School Soccer?
A: YES. GA2 players are allowed to participate in all school sports (including soccer).
Q: What are the program goals?
A: Offer playing opportunities and an elite training environment.
A. Prepare players that have GA and college scholarship aspirations.
A. Provide an online FREE College Fit Finder program through the club’s College Center.
Q: How many times will GA2 teams practice?
A: Three (3) times per week. Extra sessions with the GA are available for the top GA2 players.
Q: How many players will be on GA2 rosters?
A: Ideally, we want 15-16 on the younger rosters and up to 18 on the older teams.
Q: How can players be evaluated?
A: Please contact Randy Evans, Director of Coaching – Dash at revans@dynamodashyouth.com and an evaluation can be scheduled.
Q: What is the Frontier Player Development League?
A: The Frontier Player Development League includes some of the best clubs in the country; Houston Dash, Lonestar, FC Dallas, Solar, Dallas Texans and DKSC. The teams play home and home games against every other opponent.
Q: Who are the coaching staff for the North GA2?
A: Benn Fernie — GA2 10 North, GA2 07 North
A. Stuart Taylor — GA2 09 North, GA2 06 North
A. Andres Cabrera — GA2 08 North
A. Jamie Bell — GA2 04/05 North
Q: Who are the coaching staff for the South GA2?
A: Ex-Dash Professional Player (TBA) — GA2 10 South, GA2 09 South, GA2 08 South
A. Gene Van Ness — GA2 07 South, GA2 06 South, GA2 04/05 South
A. David Bolton – GA2 Assistant Coach/Keeper Coach
Q: What will the GA2 program cost?
A: $2,615 for club and league fees. Specific travel expenses will be announced by team.
Q: Where will GA2 teams practice?
A: North teams will practice at existing north locations, TBA. The GA2 04/05 North will practice at North Park.
A: South teams will practice 3 days a week at San Jacinto College South Campus.
Q: How is the FDL game schedule put together?
A: The league games are a club vs. club format. We will travel all our teams to play at the same place on the same day against our opponents when away. When home, our opponents will travel all of their teams on the same day and place.
Q: Will the GA2 teams have a college showcase schedule?
A: Yes, pertaining to the appropriate age group. Events will be selected to maximize exposure. National events will be available through FDL as well as attending showcase events that have a proven track record.
Q: Who do I contact for further questions?
A: Randy Evans – Director of Coaching – GA2; revans@dynamodashyouth.com and an evaluation can be scheduled.
Those interested in trying out for a GA2 team should contact the Dash Director, Randy Evans, at revans@dynamodashyouth.com.
