Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on February 14, 2026 ,
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vs Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Leader, Rutledge, impact youth in US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program
7/29/2016 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
PHOENIX – GCU women's head soccer coach, Derek Leader and assistant coach, Malorie Rutledge, have just concluded coaching in the United States Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program this summer, where they helped to train and prepare elite youth players for their futures in soccer.
The Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 and strives to identify a pool of players in multiple age groups from which a U.S. National Team can be selected for international competition. The program is divided into four regions across the country and both GCU coaches assist in Region III. Coach Leader oversees the entire program and Coach Rutledge coaches the 2000 birth age group.
Both Leader and Rutledge have been coaching together with the Olympic Development Program over the past five years.
In his 18th year with the program and his fifth year as assistant in charge of the southern region, Leader has continued to cherish the experience year after year. While his primary role as overseer of the south region includes hiring staff, constructing match and training schedules and implementing curriculum, his real joy comes from working with the diverse talent pool the program brings. Over the past 18 years, Leader has played an instrumental role in helping to identify up and coming youth players and developing talent in the United States.
"Over all the years, it's been an honor and privilege to work with so many wonderful players and coaches in the USYS (United States Youth Soccer) program," Leader said. "To have a chance to make some impact in their lives and careers is why I do it. Many of the ODP (Olympic Development Program) players have gone on to the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) and some of those players are now coaches themselves. I enjoy being a part of the process and helping build soccer in our country."
Each summer, hundreds of players from across the region try out for the program and then 18 individuals are ultimately selected for the traveling team at each age group. Around Thanksgiving, the teams participate in a large event in Boca Raton, Fla. In the spring, the teams begin international travel and will play in countries like the Netherlands, Brazil, Costa Rice, Italy and Argentina.
Alongside Leader, Rutledge has played an instrumental role over the past five years as coach of the 2000 birth age group southern region camp. Her responsibilities include selecting close to 40 athletes for the region III pool and choosing the final 18 players for the teams. Rutledge grew up in the program playing through the region team. Her personal experience with the program has fueled her passion to work with youth from the coaching side. Since hanging up her cleats, she has relished the opportunity to work with youth that will serve as representatives for the United States as a result of the program. Her unique expertise has continued to play a vital role in the development of the nation's emerging talent.
"I grew up playing through the region team and I've enjoyed being on the other side and giving back to the girls now," Rutledge added. "I get to help players reach their potential while working with Region III ODP. We take time to help these players grow while they are with us. It's exciting to see the players evolve over the years and not only become better players but better people."
Leader and Rutledge will return to ODP in November to coach the Boca Raton, Fla. competitions during the week of Thanksgiving.
The Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 and strives to identify a pool of players in multiple age groups from which a U.S. National Team can be selected for international competition. The program is divided into four regions across the country and both GCU coaches assist in Region III. Coach Leader oversees the entire program and Coach Rutledge coaches the 2000 birth age group.
Both Leader and Rutledge have been coaching together with the Olympic Development Program over the past five years.
In his 18th year with the program and his fifth year as assistant in charge of the southern region, Leader has continued to cherish the experience year after year. While his primary role as overseer of the south region includes hiring staff, constructing match and training schedules and implementing curriculum, his real joy comes from working with the diverse talent pool the program brings. Over the past 18 years, Leader has played an instrumental role in helping to identify up and coming youth players and developing talent in the United States.
"Over all the years, it's been an honor and privilege to work with so many wonderful players and coaches in the USYS (United States Youth Soccer) program," Leader said. "To have a chance to make some impact in their lives and careers is why I do it. Many of the ODP (Olympic Development Program) players have gone on to the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) and some of those players are now coaches themselves. I enjoy being a part of the process and helping build soccer in our country."
Each summer, hundreds of players from across the region try out for the program and then 18 individuals are ultimately selected for the traveling team at each age group. Around Thanksgiving, the teams participate in a large event in Boca Raton, Fla. In the spring, the teams begin international travel and will play in countries like the Netherlands, Brazil, Costa Rice, Italy and Argentina.
Alongside Leader, Rutledge has played an instrumental role over the past five years as coach of the 2000 birth age group southern region camp. Her responsibilities include selecting close to 40 athletes for the region III pool and choosing the final 18 players for the teams. Rutledge grew up in the program playing through the region team. Her personal experience with the program has fueled her passion to work with youth from the coaching side. Since hanging up her cleats, she has relished the opportunity to work with youth that will serve as representatives for the United States as a result of the program. Her unique expertise has continued to play a vital role in the development of the nation's emerging talent.
"I grew up playing through the region team and I've enjoyed being on the other side and giving back to the girls now," Rutledge added. "I get to help players reach their potential while working with Region III ODP. We take time to help these players grow while they are with us. It's exciting to see the players evolve over the years and not only become better players but better people."
Leader and Rutledge will return to ODP in November to coach the Boca Raton, Fla. competitions during the week of Thanksgiving.
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