The Players Development Academy Inc operates as a premier NJ soccer academy and a 501(c)3 non-profit youth soccer club based in New Jersey, describing itself as a premier academy for aspiring elite-level players. The club states its motto is "Development Through Competition," with a vision centered on attaining the highest youth national league exposure and minimizing cost to players. Its stated philosophy centers on holistic development focusing on technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, mental toughness, academic excellence, leadership skills, and community involvement.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Why families choose this club
Notable professional alumni
The club highlights alumni such as Tobin Heath, Heather O'Reilly, Casey Murphy, and Brian White who went on to national team and professional careers.
Elite league platforms
Considered one of the most decorated clubs in the U.S., PDA states its teams compete in MLS Next, ECNL, ECNL-RL, and NAL leagues while traveling to fiercely competitive tournaments nationwide.
Fluid player pathway
The club describes a 'Pathway Model' where players compete across multiple platforms and rosters based on performance rather than fixed team rosters.
Soccer-only facility
The club describes a year-round soccer-only training facility with top-quality surfaces, lighted fields, and all-weather turfplaying surfaces.
Scholarship fund support
PDA states it is a 501(c)3 non-profit offering a scholarship fund for players needing financial aid.
PROGRAMS
Programs
PDA runs a year-round soccer training program that begins nurturing talent starting as early as U7 or U8. PDA states it forms boys and girls teams in age groups from Under-8 through Under-19, operating a four-stage development structure from U9-U12 (learning to play) through U17-U19 (win games). Training focuses on top-quality instruction and exposure to the highest levels of competition to develop players to their greatest potential. In addition to team league play, Camps & Summer Select programs are offered per the club's programming schedule.
SummerCamps & Summer Select programs are offered, per site navigation.
TUITION
Cost to play
PDA states it offers a scholarship fund, generously donated by individuals and businesses, for players in need of financial aid to participate on club teams. For the 2025–2026 season, published annual club dues were $1,900 for U10 coed teams and $2,900 for U12 boys national league teams.
The club's technical direction is overseen by Executive Directors of CoachingGerry McKeown for PDA Boys and Mike O'Neill for PDA Girls, both of whom have been with PDA since the beginning.
Boys academy directors
Boys leadership features Tyler Stakiwicz as PDA Somerset Boys Academy Director and Elvir Prasovic as PDA Somerset Boys Goalkeeper Director.
Girls director staff
Girls programming leadership includes PDA Girls Assistant Director of Coaching Larry Hart, PDA Blue ECNL Girls Director Stan Lembryk, and PDA Somerset Girls Zone 2 Director Nick Heinemann.
Collegiate and pro backgrounds
PDA describes its staff as experienced across youth through college Division 1 and professional levels, assigning team-specific coaches across Somerset Boys and Somerset Girls age groups.
Gerry McKeown
Executive Director of Coaching (PDA Boys)
Has been with PDA since the beginning; shares in PDA's mission of player development and financial assistance for players in need.
Mike O'Neill
Executive Director of Coaching (PDA Girls)
Has been with PDA since the beginning; shares in PDA's mission of player development and financial assistance for players in need.
Tyler Stakiwicz
PDA Somerset Boys Academy Director
Larry Hart
PDA Girls Assistant Director of Coaching
Stan Lembryk
PDA Blue ECNL Girls Director
Nick Heinemann
PDA Somerset Girls Zone 2 Director
Elvir Prasovic
PDA Somerset Boys Goalkeeper Director
PDA MISSION & PHILOSOPHY
PDA Mission & Philosophy
The club states its motto is "Development Through Competition," with a vision that includes attaining the highest youth national league exposure, minimizing cost to players, and ensuring the club's legacy, guided by core values of Ambition, Commitment, Humility, Discipline, Family, Sacrifice, Passion, and Integrity.
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