Hurst66,
I'd be very surprised if an ODP state director had influence over a USSF A licensed region coach to holdover specific players or a certain percentage of players. After all, the director doesn't train any team(s).
To me, the SC ODP program is all about receiving training under the guidance of collegiate coaches with the brass ring being eligibility to be considered for pool games and regional or national team participation. Granted, only a select number of players will reach the region or national team level, but those odds are no different from opportunities extended in school, scouts or any other environment where kids participate to grow as individuals.
My advice to younger players and their parents would be to:
Focus on the process of becoming the very best state team player you can be.
Focus on getting the very best players on your club team to be your teammates.
Focus on demanding consistent and rigorous training sessions from your coach and teammates.
Focus on being competitive.
Focus on taking pride in being a state team player with unlimited opportunity.
Focus on improving your first touch, vision and speed of play.
Focus on always wanting to be better.
