Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

FPYC has a lot of talent on the boys side such that SFL teams are generally very good (for recreational teams). If you're on a "good" SFL team and your kid is enjoying with friends, and a dedicated volunteer coach (who has at least played soccer or coached older sibling's SFL team) why leave when you're only paying $80 per season?

[Anonymous]

For those that forgot, here is the general soccer thread.

[Anonymous]

WHAT! WHERE IS "Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part I?" HOW DID THE ADMIN NOT TRANSFER IT OVER! HOW WILL WE EVER GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE BEGINNINGS OF OUR ROOTS OF CONSTANT BICKERING, DISAGREEMENTS, AND SNOBBISHNESS? THIS CANNOT BE!

On another note, I actually learned a lot about travel soccer on that thread. It was educational to a certain degree.

[Anonymous]

Found part I! its on page 31 of the sports forum.

[Anonymous]

Just search for the same thread without part II...

And yes, when my DS was trying out for U9, that thread provided a lot of good info, you just have to skim through the crap

[Anonymous]

Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

There are so many variants, so many factors that constantly change from year to year, from club to club. We know so many folks who hop from club to club and all they do is exchange one problem for another. Unless you really think your child is in the 0.1 percent to play professional and you need DA-level, the grass is never greener, all the clubs (and leagues) are basically the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

There are so many variants, so many factors that constantly change from year to year, from club to club. We know so many folks who hop from club to club and all they do is exchange one problem for another. Unless you really think your child is in the 0.1 percent to play professional and you need DA-level, the grass is never greener, all the clubs (and leagues) are basically the same.

AMEN

[Anonymous]

I live near the SoccerPlex in Boyds MD (near Germantown MD). My 11 year old daughter plays rec there, and she is ready to move up to something more competitive. Can anybody provide a list of select/club/travel teams that are in the general area. From the Internet, I have read about Potomac Soccer, MSI, Damascus Soccer, MD Rush Montgomery, SAM Select. Are there others in the nearby area (not interested in going to Virginia). Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live near the SoccerPlex in Boyds MD (near Germantown MD). My 11 year old daughter plays rec there, and she is ready to move up to something more competitive. Can anybody provide a list of select/club/travel teams that are in the general area. From the Internet, I have read about Potomac Soccer, MSI, Damascus Soccer, MD Rush Montgomery, SAM Select. Are there others in the nearby area (not interested in going to Virginia). Thanks.

The problem for her right now is that all the travel teams are set for the year. I recommend signing up for a futsal program during the year, like an actual training program with a real coach, to get her foot skills up and then try out in the spring. Potomac isn't bad. They play in the CCL. It's a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

There are so many variants, so many factors that constantly change from year to year, from club to club. We know so many folks who hop from club to club and all they do is exchange one problem for another. Unless you really think your child is in the 0.1 percent to play professional and you need DA-level, the grass is never greener, all the clubs (and leagues) are basically the same.

AMEN

No. We left a toxic club. Annoying, political parents and bad mouthing players. No transparency. No consistency in coaches or training. Prima Donna bratty kids. Two years+ at new Club and still loving it. I am no longer tense and sick to my stomach on the sidelines. It’s a great environment.

I have a friend that played pro that thinks 2 years max for any club. Most top players have been at several by the age of 16. Exposure to new things creates growth.

But, just because a player leaves a Club does not mean their parents think they are a superstar. I’ve seen players leave big clubs for what is considered on this Board “inferior” clubs for better coaching/development, not because a player didn’t make a certain color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

There are so many variants, so many factors that constantly change from year to year, from club to club. We know so many folks who hop from club to club and all they do is exchange one problem for another. Unless you really think your child is in the 0.1 percent to play professional and you need DA-level, the grass is never greener, all the clubs (and leagues) are basically the same.

AMEN

No. We left a toxic club. Annoying, political parents and bad mouthing players. No transparency. No consistency in coaches or training. Prima Donna bratty kids. Two years+ at new Club and still loving it. I am no longer tense and sick to my stomach on the sidelines. It’s a great environment.

I have a friend that played pro that thinks 2 years max for any club. Most top players have been at several by the age of 16. Exposure to new things creates growth.

But, just because a player leaves a Club does not mean their parents think they are a superstar. I’ve seen players leave big clubs for what is considered on this Board “inferior” clubs for better coaching/development, not because a player didn’t make a certain color.

I've had several kids though in a few clubs. Yes, there is always some politics in every social situation including all the area clubs. No club has complete transparency, because that flies in the face of their mission, to make money. You can't do that if you piss off your clientele and the surest way to do that is to be transparent about their little Messi or Mia. If it makes you sick to your stomach, you are investing too much in it. The talented kids rise up regardless of who the team manager is or whom the current coach favors. Changing clubs isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's not without it's own risks. Sometimes it's better to stick with the devil you know over the devil you don't, as many parents have discovered after making a switch and then reversing course. I've seen that a number of times over the past 10 years too.

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen my kid flourish by changing Clubs. First 2 years was a kick-run club, but they really did a great job at ball skill training. Then, moved to a more possession-based Club for a different focus/style of training. Rondos and passing. Two years and moved to get better competition from teammates and games (harder league/team division).

Yet, other people will trash talk behind our backs and say can’t stay in one place. The fact is, I still get text messages and emails from former coaches (all the way back to U9 and kid is U15 now). They check in to see how my kid is doing. He trains with some of them.

Unhappy people judge others choices. They should only worry about their own kid. Some of them are loyalists that are flabbergasted when kid gets cut or demoted down the line. Often, the player didn’t develop appropriate skills because they were too focused on playing for a “name” or wins in the young ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve seen my kid flourish by changing Clubs. First 2 years was a kick-run club, but they really did a great job at ball skill training. Then, moved to a more possession-based Club for a different focus/style of training. Rondos and passing. Two years and moved to get better competition from teammates and games (harder league/team division).

Yet, other people will trash talk behind our backs and say can’t stay in one place. The fact is, I still get text messages and emails from former coaches (all the way back to U9 and kid is U15 now). They check in to see how my kid is doing. He trains with some of them.

Unhappy people judge others choices. They should only worry about their own kid. Some of them are loyalists that are flabbergasted when kid gets cut or demoted down the line. Often, the player didn’t develop appropriate skills because they were too focused on playing for a “name” or wins in the young ages.

It depends on the club and the people. Some people talk trash about others whether they stay or go. There are some real nasty people in this area. Sometimes people should remember these are young kids trying to do their best. As far as club decisions, moving around a little is fine. But make sure to get to know the new place real well before committing. A year is a long time to spend in a place where it doesn't work out the way you had hoped.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I've found the happiest kids in soccer are the ones who have grown close with their teammates.

In 10 years, unless they're playing in the pros, they will have forgotten most of the games and practices. They'll remember their friends.

But this is Northern Virginia, where every parent thinks DC should be playing for DC United -- unless they're REALLY good, in which case maybe Manchester United or Juventus. So we see players literally go in circles -- Club A, Club B, Club C and back to Club A. Accomplishing ... what?

Love this contribution to the thread. Short and sweet, while resonating of truth. Thanks!