Q. What is the Houston Dynamo Catalyst Program?

The Houston Dynamo FC Academy is the professional youth academy of the Houston Dynamo FC of Major League Soccer. The Houston Dynamo Academy Catalyst Program is designed to bring an elite level development program and pathway to young players throughout Greater Houston.

Q.  What are the age-categories of the Catalyst Program?

There are three age-categories in the Catalyst Program: U10, U11 ,U12, which are the Foundation Phase ages. The Foundation Phase is an important “golden age” of learning and the largest developmental phase in youth soccer.  

Q. How will players be identified and selected for the Catalyst Program?

• Opportunities to join the Catalyst programs will come through pre-arranged Training Invitationals.
• Additionally, throughout the year,  special Talent ID nights will organized by the both Dynamo | Dash Youth, Total Football Club, and the Houston Dynamo FC Academy to support the opportunity for motivated young players to join the program.
• Motivated young players in the U10, U11, and U12 age groups should contact the appropriate Catalyst location nearest to where they live and can also contact Foundation Director, Rodo Castilla at rcastilla@houstondynamo.com for more information.

Q. Where are the Houston Dynamo FC- Academy Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program Campuses located?

Northwest Houston:  Dynamo/Dash Youth
Concordia Lutheran High School (700 E. Main, Tomball, 77375)

North: Dynamo/ Dash Youth
Bear Branch Soccer Complex (5205 Research Forest Dr. The Woodlands, Texas, 77381)

Northeast: Dynamo / Dash Youth
XCEL Soccer Academy (4641 FM 1960 East, Humble, TX 77346)

West: Dynamo Dash Youth
Memorial Hermann Sports Park (23900 Katy Fwy. Katy, Tx. 77493)

Southeast: Dynamo Dash Youth
Dave Finkle Fields (14500 Village Evergreen Trail, Houston, TX 77062)

South:  Total Football Club
Hickory Slough Sportsplex (7600 Hughes Ranch Rd., Pearland, Tx 77581) 

Energy Cooridor: Total Football Club
Dalecrest Fields (9500 Dalecrest Dr, Houston, TX 77080)
                                                                                          

Q.  What are the Key Learning Objectives for the Catalyst Program?

• Cultivate a growth mindset and love of learning
• Teach the game in a positive and instructive way
• Teach the players to fall in love with the ball and be skillful
• Introduce and teach the club's game model 
• Implement our Methodology to the coaching staff and players
• Inspire development through video learning.
• Inspire players to become "Students of the game."
• Inspire players to dream big and aspire to achieve high goals.

Q.  What are the benefits of the Catalyst Program?

• Having multiple Catalyst campus locations will help to greatly reduce travel time and expense for families while providing the capacity for motivated young players to experience high-level development pathway.
• The Catalyst program will provide insightful, enthusiastic and systematic development, guided by a proven developmental philosophy and curriculum of the Houston Dynamo FC Academy.
• Special emphasis is made to develop skillful players through both Futsal and ball mastery training- (see  SKILL BUILDER ) which is a program emphasized and utilized throughout the year at all Catalyst Foundation campus locations.
• Unique developmental opportunities to train at the Houston Sports Park (HSP), home of the Houston Dynamo FC first team.
• Special Pro-Time Mentoring with current and former Houston Dynamo FC professional players.
• A full-time staff and ‘Team of Coaches’  will be working collaboratively to provide top-level training and learning environments that put long-term player development as the focal point.
• Direct path to the U13 Houston Dynamo Academy Team 
• Catalyst players will have the opportunity to attend special events such as the Generation Adidas, Dallas Cup, and other national and international opportunities. Also, they can attend Houston Dynamo First Team and Houston Dynamo 2 professional matches.

Q.  What league will this program compete in?

• U12 - Texas Pre-Academy League - The league is an elite player development program and competition that is conducted and administered by USSSA on behalf of the 12 Texas Member Clubs.  This league has been created in order to provide a high level competitive programming schedule that is reflective of the needs of the players and clubs participating. 
• U11 and U10 South Texas Youth Soccer Association (STYSA) - Dynamo | Dash League 

Q.  How much interaction will there be between the Catalyst Campuses?

• In addition to normal geographic campus training, special Training Visits, Integrated Training, and Catalyst Foundation Festivals will be organized throughout the year.
• Specially designed Training Invitationals will bring players together from each campus to train and develop collectively with our coaching staff
• Other opportunities to train, develop and educate collectively will also take place throughout the year via Training Matches, MLS events, and Futsal events.

Q. Who are the coaches/developers?

An excellent group of qualified and motivated coaches will be part of a 'team of coaches'.  Technical oversight, support and programming will be overseen by the Houston Dynamo FC Academy,  including ongoing coach development, club collaboration and innovative developmental programming.

Improved Development through Collaborative Efforts

"Houston’s large geographic size and population requires us to provide logistical solutions for families of young, motivated players. In the model of other top professional academies around the world, geographic training and development centers will help greatly reduce travel time and expense for our families.  It would provide a capacity for motivated and talented players to experience an elite and professional player pathway through a team of coaches and a proven development curriculum and programming".

"The expansion of the Houston Dynamo Academy Catalyst Program is a terrific development for our club and city. By enhancing the technical and collaborative relationship between the Houston Dynamo FC Academy, Dynamo | Dash Youth, and Total Football Club, we will be able to work together on a day to day basis to better help identify, develop and promote the most motivated and talented young players throughout the city."  Paul Holocher, Houston Dynamo FC, Academy Director

Q.  How often will players train at the Foundation Phase Campus?

• Each Foundation Phase campus will operate on similar developmental calendars and will typically train 3-4 days per week with weekend matches throughout the year

Q. What are the team and training fee costs associated with the program?

• Each Catalyst Campus operates under a similar registration model to keep fees low. There will also be opportunities for need-based scholarships.

Questions?

If you have any further questions about this new and exciting program, please contact the following:

Rodo Castilla,  Houston Dynamo FC - Foundation Phase Director rcastilla@houstondynamo.com 

Paul Holocher, Houston Dynamo FC - Academy Director pholocher@houstondynamo.com