HERNDON, VA – Herndon Youth Soccer announced today its membership in Virginia Development Academy, joining Prince William Soccer and Virginia Soccer Association. VDA is a collaboration between three Northern Virginia clubs to provide the highest level of competition for their players in elite development.

Formed in 2015, VDA enables community-based member clubs to maintain their identities and connections to their communities while joining forces to field elite teams competing in Boy's and Girl's Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).  Member clubs continue to run their own recreational programs, travel programs, camps, tournaments and community engagement efforts.

Greg Andrulis (HYS Executive Director) states, "Herndon Youth Soccer has a 44-year history of providing a vibrant and inclusive vehicle for our community to be part of a dynamic soccer club. Whether you are a rec player or a travel player, Herndon Youth Soccer provides a platform from which you could experience the beautiful game of soccer. Throughout this history, players have been afforded the opportunity to play in competitive leagues, and to be mentored by top class coaches. This collaboration with VDA is another positive step for Herndon Youth Soccer, and will provide real opportunities for our players and coaches to compete at the highest levels of youth soccer. These pathways will provide additional opportunities for our elite players to pursue high-level collegiate and potentially professional opportunities. VDA has established itself as one of the top soccer organizations in the area, and this collaboration will be mutually beneficial for all parties involved."

Nick Arzani (HYS Technical Director) states, "The clubs that comprise VDA share our vision and goals. We are excited to bring this platform and collaboration to Herndon and be able to provide the opportunity to compete at a higher level to our club and community."

Matt Lacey (VSA Executive Director) states, “This is another positive step for VDA. By expanding our footprint further, we can continue to enhance and support the opportunity for players to enter elite level programming, as well as work collectively to provide more meaningful oversight of player and coach development. We are excited to continue to expose players from all the member clubs to the VDA philosophy and methodology.”

Quan Phan (PWSI Executive Director) states, “VDA was formed 8 years ago as a landmark agreement for club collaboration in Northern Virginia; VDA will continue to evolve in the best interest of the players and the member clubs. We are excited that Herndon shares our vision of collaboration and how working together can have a positive effect in growing the sport of soccer and provide opportunities for our players at all levels.”

The VDA platform ignites and inspires players from an early age to dream big and chase their goals through passion, sacrifice, and accountability. VDA is proud to support an inclusive and diverse environment that welcomes coaches, players and parents from all backgrounds to work together in the pursuit of excellence on and off the field.

VDA will be holding boys and girls ECNL ID sessions in Herndon on the following dates:

Girls ECNL ID Sessions Rising – U14-U17
March 28 @ Bready Park
5:30PM-6:45PM (2009,2008,2007,2006)

April 25th @ Bready Park 
5:30PM-6:45PM (2009, 2008, 2007,2006)

Boys ECNL ID Sessions – Rising U14-U17
March 28 @ Bready Park
6:45PM-8:00PM (2009,2008)
8:00PM-9:15PM (2007,2006)

April 25th @ Bready Park
6:45PM-8:00PM (2009,/2008)
8:00PM-9:15PM (2007,2006)

Register Here: https://www.vdasoccer.org/idsessions

VDA will be holding Zone 1 welcome sessions for HYS players on the following dates:

Boys Pre-VDA Session
March 14th @ Long Park
6:15PM – 2011 HYS Black
7:30PM – 2010 HYS Black

Girls Pre-VDA Session
March 21st @ Long Park
6:15PM – 2011 HYS Black
7:30PM – 2010 HYS Black

These sessions will be with VDA coaches and Pre- VDA West (VSA),  East (PWSI) and North (Herndon) 2011/2010 teams.