Which travel clubs to choose from? New NOVA 2016G Player advice

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone! Potentially moving to Northern Virginia this summer due to work/school/moving closer to family and I wanted to get your advice on the best clubs to choose from for 2016 girl's soccer player. My daughter played 2 years travel (club), 3 years rec & 1 season futsal. Very strong defensively but needs work on offense. She did a summer camp with Alexandria soccer association and had a good time. We would like to get advice on what the best academies are available in the NOVA area. Looking for good (or equal) amounts of playing time, prioritizing player development & individual improvement over winning, supportive coach that doesn't negatively yell or shoot down the confidence of players, good teammates who are supportive & friendly, affordable (or at least reasonably) priced.

I checked online and it says there's at least 79 girls' 2016 travel teams in the DMV area (53 ranked)

I want to get feedback based on your own experiences and any advice you might have (positive or negative).

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes ask this question as tryouts are concluding and teams already established. After you move contact the club or 2 closest to you then sometime in August when they start practicing you can try to join one.

[Anonymous]

If you aren't trolling, move here and then reach out to the closest clubs to your new house.

[Anonymous]

Affordable is in the eyes of the beholder. Not many affordable soccer clubs in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

After work traffic is the real problem here. After you settle in, practically speaking, you will most likely only consider clubs within a 10 mile radius of your new house. Which could still equal a 40 minute commute to practice, depending.

And really, it's only about 25 clubs in Northern Virginia!

[Anonymous]

Location will be key. Usually 3-5 clubs with practice fields reasonably reachable depending on where in NoVa. Ask to practice with teams once you get here and see what you think of the coach options. If you are ambitious look for player pathways at older ages in the clubs but prioritizing development & environment over winning might exclude some of those clubs with the fanciest paths.

[Anonymous]

I know you can practice with a team to get a feel for the coaching and team environment, but is it possible to guest play in a game as a trial?

I've heard instances of club teams needing to borrow players from rec in a tournament (due to a player shortage) and ended up inviting those players to join the club afterwards. Sounds like a one-off event but was wondering if there was an opportunity to guest play in an actual real game?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know you can practice with a team to get a feel for the coaching and team environment, but is it possible to guest play in a game as a trial?

I've heard instances of club teams needing to borrow players from rec in a tournament (due to a player shortage) and ended up inviting those players to join the club afterwards. Sounds like a one-off event but was wondering if there was an opportunity to guest play in an actual real game?

They would likely want to see you play in a practice before allowing you to guest in a game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know you can practice with a team to get a feel for the coaching and team environment, but is it possible to guest play in a game as a trial?

I've heard instances of club teams needing to borrow players from rec in a tournament (due to a player shortage) and ended up inviting those players to join the club afterwards. Sounds like a one-off event but was wondering if there was an opportunity to guest play in an actual real game?

Why does it feel like you're a troll, OP? Did you miss try outs for your DD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know you can practice with a team to get a feel for the coaching and team environment, but is it possible to guest play in a game as a trial?

I've heard instances of club teams needing to borrow players from rec in a tournament (due to a player shortage) and ended up inviting those players to join the club afterwards. Sounds like a one-off event but was wondering if there was an opportunity to guest play in an actual real game?

Why does it feel like you're a troll, OP? Did you miss try outs for your DD?

Haven't moved to NOVA yet, collecting information that will help decide which club to reach out to when I eventually do (summer or fall) & how to approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know you can practice with a team to get a feel for the coaching and team environment, but is it possible to guest play in a game as a trial?

I've heard instances of club teams needing to borrow players from rec in a tournament (due to a player shortage) and ended up inviting those players to join the club afterwards. Sounds like a one-off event but was wondering if there was an opportunity to guest play in an actual real game?

Yes this happens on our team, but its because our rec league is kind of a feeder for the travel team so the kids are a known quantity.