Club-To-Club Player Development Initiative (PDI) provides an opportunity for U7 (2019) and U8 (2018) players to participate in a festival-like atmosphere on a weekly basis as a precursor to clubs’ travel programs.
The goal is to foster growth in the players’ technical skills, but for the players to have fun doing so.
PDI is hosted in both Nassau and Suffolk County for six weeks of play during both the fall and spring.
“The CTC PDI program is a huge benefit to the clubs involved,” LIJSL Technical Director Ronan Wiseman said. “It gives the younger, more enthusiastic non-travel-aged players a great outlet to express themselves on the field against other clubs. The program is set up to have a league schedule in a festival format, the teams get six weeks of scheduled games and can also participate in the additional three Club Development Days (festivals) held monthly during each season. That gives the players plenty of opportunities to play in a great environment and is an excellent addition to a club’s annual programming planning.”
PDI will also be offering 7v7 play for the U8 age groups. Details are as follows:
- 7v7 play
- All rules are the same as U9 except these teams will play 4 x 12 minute quarters to allow the coach more interaction with the players
- No scores or standings published
- No rosters or passes needed
- Registration cost is $375
- Referee fees are included in the registration and the referees will be paid by the league
- Teams will play a full league schedule similar to U9 and older travel teams
The reasoning behind this added programming is that when players move from U8 intramurals, where they play 4v4 or 5v5, and go to U9, where they play 7v7, there is a huge learning curve for them to overcome – bigger field, bigger goals, offside, goalkeepers, corners, throw-ins, official referees, etc. This program will be used to ease the U8 players into the strange new world of travel soccer and to teach them all of the rules and formations, functions, tactics that will be needed for them to have a great first experience in travel. Teams and players will then find it easier to enter into U9 travel the following year.
Questions on participation can be directed to LIJSL Technical Director Ronan Wiseman ([email protected]).
Fall 2025 Weeks Of Play (7v7)
Week 1: September 7
Week 2: September 14
Week 3: September 21
Week 4: September 28
Week 5: October 5
Week 6: October 19
Week 7: October 26
Week 8: November 2
Week 9: November 9
Week 10: November 16
Fall 2025 Weeks Of Play (4v4)
Week 1 : September 14
Week 2 : September 28
Week 3 : October 5
Week 4 : October 26
Week 5 : November 2
Week 6 : November 9
*Schedule for times/locations will be distributed to club coordinator