Moving to Virginia VLC 2025

[Anonymous]

I see lots of strong opinions about VLC. However we are moving to Virginia and I’m not about to drive my kid to Maryland for any sort of practices. How is the 2025 team? I hear lots (good and bad and quite dramatic) about 23, 24, 28, and the defunct 27s. However I need info on the 25s and can’t find it.

What’s the culture like? Parent dynamic? Level of play? Is this an established team or are families constantly shifting? I’m honestly looking for stability and a nice group of families and coaches who aren’t nasty.

[Anonymous]

Oh Lord! Here we go...Disgruntled VLC 25 dad is about to let it fly.

[Anonymous]

I've heard it is a solid team with minimal drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh Lord! Here we go...Disgruntled VLC 25 dad is about to let it fly.

Cool, but I really want to find out about the team.

[Anonymous]

They are the fourth best of the big clubs in the immediate DC area (NL, DCE and Madlax are all superior at this age group).

If you don’t care about wins/losses, VLC typically plays high profile events due to their affiliation with Crabs. While they have a number of talented kids on the team, they don’t have the depth that the higher ranked teams have.

If you do care about rankings and your son is a strong player), you should look at the other teams above or even further afield to Annapolis Hawks. At this age, practices are typically just once a week on the weekend in the fall and then a handful during summer before tournaments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are the fourth best of the big clubs in the immediate DC area (NL, DCE and Madlax are all superior at this age group).

If you don’t care about wins/losses, VLC typically plays high profile events due to their affiliation with Crabs. While they have a number of talented kids on the team, they don’t have the depth that the higher ranked teams have.

If you do care about rankings and your son is a strong player), you should look at the other teams above or even further afield to Annapolis Hawks. At this age, practices are typically just once a week on the weekend in the fall and then a handful during summer before tournaments.

I don’t really care about the scoreboard. Not really into the mercenary mentality and don’t see value in sitting in traffic for any sport. Really just lioking for a positive holistic experience for my son.

[Anonymous]

Not really sure what a positive holistic experience is, but you are not likely to find that at the top clubs. They will all bump your kid out or to the bench the second a better kid comes along. If you don't care about scores and your kid just wants to play more lacrosse then do something like Top Caliber or Hammers or True.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really sure what a positive holistic experience is, but you are not likely to find that at the top clubs. They will all bump your kid out or to the bench the second a better kid comes along. If you don't care about scores and your kid just wants to play more lacrosse then do something like Top Caliber or Hammers or True.

Well yea, that’s not anything new. I’m not new to club sports, playtime is earned. Just don’t want a toxic team with toxic parents raising toxic kids. Not do I want to drive to Maryland.

Usually team stability and turn over gives you the answers to the above.

[Anonymous]

You really sound like you're fishing hard, OP, for someone to air dirty laundry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really sound like you're fishing hard, OP, for someone to air dirty laundry.

I’m trying not to have to dig through all this mess about VaLC and trams I don’t care about. I just want to know is the 2025 team stable and viable. Sounds like yes from the one helpful response I got. Do you have anything helpful to add?

[Anonymous]

They have a new coach. Mabry left to start his own academy. Bullock has been coaching for a long time and the team should be fine. The aren't really looking for players now but I'm sure if your son is amazing they would take him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have a new coach. Mabry left to start his own academy. Bullock has been coaching for a long time and the team should be fine. The aren't really looking for players now but I'm sure if your son is amazing they would take him.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Not sure where in VA you are moving to, but "driving to Maryland" often isn't the big deal you think it is. Sometimes driving from VA to somewhere else in VA can be a bigger pain.

[Anonymous]

I just get a vibe that either the OP is a troll, or would be difficult team parent.

[Anonymous]

Echo some other comments.

VLC is a solid club. Some drama, but less than most.

However, this is the recruiting summer for 2025s and they have a full roster. I'm sure if your son is a high D1 prospect, they would take him, but they aren't bumping another kid who has likely been with program multiple years.