VYS Soccer - better or worse?
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Anonymous
That is clearly not true on the boys side for the U9 and U10s. Most of the current U9s played up last year and many do additional training with HP, etc. I have not observed the girls side of house or club but if it is like the boys they are plenty competitive for talent coming through the House program and in league play. We have plenty of options and have trained in multiple programs with kids from other teams here and abroad and are very happy with what VYS coaches and active parents have accomplished over the last 18 months. |
Anonymous
Where are you getting rosters of house and U9 or U10 players, and are you honestly combing them to see who stays and goes? Do you do this with all clubs, or just VYS? |
Anonymous
How many U9 boys in the travel program did HP Elite training over the winter? |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
From normal human interaction. I coached house and am a VYS parent. I would ask very talented players parents after games about their plans for their kids and most times I would hear that they were “taking their talents” to bigger clubs. Not all leave VYS obviously but got the feeling that that VYS travel wasn’t their top choice |
Anonymous
But isn't that part of the problem when you say "most of the current U9s played up last year." First, I highly doubt that is the case and if somehow that were true, then that would suggest that there was a lack of talent in the U9 since many younger players were brought up to fill rosters. Or it could have been a money grab. Its great that you are very happy and at the end that's what matters to you. But when you say are happy with what vys coaches and parents have done over the last 18 months, what are you comparing it to? VYS from 18 months ago or to neighboring clubs? Because if its the latter then you must not be aware of the widening gap(talent not distance!) between VYS and the clubs around it. |
Anonymous
| U9 and U10 levels are developmental levels. I think of competitive soccer starting in middle school. |
Anonymous
And here in lies the problem. Parents "taking their (kids) talents...". Too many think their kid is the next "Chosen One". |
Anonymous
| Talented female players should consider staying with VYS throughout their soccer experience. Today's Phoenix program is translating into championships (albeit at a kind of "medium" level), and, now, college opportunities at good academic schools. Certain players may see all of that as enough. |
Anonymous
| Could be, but I'm afraid the VYS talent will continue to funnel to BRYC and McLean, etc. Vienna's job is to supply other teams with good players |
Anonymous
Talented kids will gravitate to where the best platform is that is most likely to garner the most exposure if that is what they want. Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, like the random Phoenix team is to great a leap of faith for most kids and parents to make. |
Anonymous
| too |
Anonymous
We are talking like VYS has a very good development program for the pre-travel kids and even the travel kids. It's not like VYS is developing all this talent and then other clubs are stealing it. Decent soccer players could be found anywhere. Yes, even Vienna has some and they will leave when they get serious and playing with their friends isn't important anymore. VYS isn't doing anything to keep talent. Remember it's the club's job to offer a program that attacks and maintains talent. Right now, it's not that. It's a community soccer club where kids can play with their friends and once in a while have a good team or two until they leave to get scouted. When was the last time someone left their neighborhood club to play for VYS because it offered a better program that where they are? Once? Never maybe? |
Anonymous
| I think all of you guys bring a good point. In the end, It is all about the quality of our board, technical staff and coaches. I know that a few years back when my oldest son played, VYS seemed to have a better structure and he enjoyed the club. Most importantly, the vision and direction seemed to be in place. I am not sure what all has changed over the past 3-4 years but I can say the atmosphere and overall feeling of community has changed. From my own experience, I do know that a lot of kids did not leave because we had high quality coaches in our academy. They held training 4 days a week (2 sessions with the coach, 1 training with the older age group and pick up games on Fridays) for significantly less than we are paying now with our youngest for less training time. It appears that the new technical staff means well but a lot VYS members say that they do not have what it takes to bring our club up to speed with neighboring clubs. Looking at the broader picture, concerns seem to encompass several different areas within the club; the overall quality of directors, coaches, fees, programs and time each team is alotted for training each week. My son stop playing two years ago. My youngest daughter is still playing VYS house and enjoys being with her friends. However, I am happy not to be a part of travel these day. |
Anonymous
| I would encourage parents and their kids to watch teams they may want to join, whether or in practice or games. See how the kids interact, how the coaches guide, and how the team plays. That includes VYS teams if you live in and around Vienna. There is admittedly a lot of variation from year to year, so this year’s Arlington Red U9 or McLean Green U9 May be different than next year’s. But seeing things for yourself allows you to evaluate a lot of the information and misinformation circulating among NoVa soccer parents and these message boards. And by the way, strongly take into account what the parents are like. You can object that this is time consuming. It is. But if you believe your child is talented and interested enough to play top-level travel soccer, it is time well spent. |