http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/731027.page#13119325 "Umm, travel is always extra. Seriously? You think 3k gets you travel? Essentially FCB costs as much as most high end travel teams. Most teams training seems to hit about $2000-2500 for training any more. Then tack on team fees for tourneys, indoor facility the eventual "voluntary" futsal league etc. " |
Probably because they do so badly at them. Did you see some of the results in low brackets at the tournaments they played in? Don't want to call out any teams specifically, but some were really bad. |
| My son trained with a club that trains academy style this year. He absolutely hated not having a set team, or any particular assigned coach. We switched back to his old club for next year. I think how well it works for any one kid is going to be very personality dependent. |
You are completely missing the point. FCB is not interested in brackets and winning tournaments or producing pro players. It’s nice of course but inconsequential to measuring their success. They are following a blueprint that has been successful in dozens of escolas all over the world. They are teaching the Barça style of soccer to the letter as defined by the home office, and teaching a set of values in how they conduct it. That is the formula and it works for them. And, here, the definition of ‘works’ is not winning tournaments but filling seats and following their model. And spreading the Barcelona brand. There are new escolas opening in Ohio, Chicago, many more. It’s not some experiment it is scaling a franchise. I realize this doesn’t appeal to everyone. For some the current competitive landscape is fine. That’s ok. For others FCB is a welcome change. |
| so when does the "success" happen? |
| high school age? |
Several FCB teams have been winning tournaments from VA Beach, Cali, NCarolina, Potomac, etc. all spring. In fact, some FCB teams haven’t lost a single game since they started competing. Many of these teams are competing with younger kids on their teams. You know, there are many different teams/different levels with over 300 kids. The best success has been happening in the training sessions for us. There is nobody in the area that runs training better. It’s new. I get it. People that know nothing about it like to make inaccurate statements. I suggest they go out and watch some of the training and compare it to what they are getting elsewhere. Or, they can continue spewing negativity and false info just like they do on the other threads. Don’t send your kid there if you don’t like it. There is a lot of FOMO on these boards and a lot of false info and posters with agendas. |
| My son's team won every league game and did well in tournament play, but they still played like shit. No more than 2-3 passes before they went to goal. Punt and run American ball, if FCB was closer I'd be all over it. |
It’s already happening. Happy parents, happy kids returning for a second year. Over 90% returning. Many more added and some turned away due to not enough space. That is success. There has also been success on the soccer field which I guess is how you define success. Many teams have won tournaments. Yes, they aren’t in the top tier brackets yet. Many teams have shown rapid development by playing the same external team in friendlies and going from losing badly to competitive to dominating against the same team. Success is in HOW these teams are playing - using the style that is taught in training. That is success as FCB defines it. They expect it will take years for teams to master the concepts and there is a lot of patience. As a parent they have convinced me in this first year to trust the process and be patient too. The success is in the journey not the destination. |
The $3k also doesn't include uniforms. Those are additional as well. I'd estimate that you are looking at $4-5k next year, when uniforms and travel expenses are included if your child's team is one of the select tournament teams. Perhaps more if international travel is involved. |
This is what I was wondering, whether they actually said No to anyone willing to pay. We went to one of their open tryouts, our kid is still a baby (in my eyes) so our internal debate is whether the time (distance for us) and money (definitely more expensive than our local club) is worth it at such a young age. But it also makes sense that if you buy into FCB philosophy then the younger the start maybe the easier it becomes to be ingrained in that method/style of play. |
Yup, I’ll miss the free uniforms my kid always got at her other club :/ |
| Wow, free? We always had to shell out 400 bucks every 2 years. |
Travel is always extra so it is good advice to ask what the most ambiguous tourney schedule is before you sign up anywhere you are looking to play. |
You mean you’ve had to pay for your uniform? |