Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Being a community club is all that VYS strives to be. It has no aspiration of competing at high levels. So for the 90% that only want their child to get some exercise with their friends, learn some skills and compete at a level that might allow them to make their HS travel team, VYS is more than adequate. Those that want to take soccer more seriously should look somewhere else. There are plenty of neighboring clubs that will better meet that need.

It is a bummer that we cannot field more competitive teams locally. Take the Oakton HS team a few years back that was one of the best teams in the state - a number of those kids started in VYS but had left the club years back and played at various clubs like Annandale, BRYC, SYA etc. Given the congestion in this area, those are really not that close. They were all very good players but only a few will play D1 college soccer - maybe not even a few. But still they were into soccer and wanted to play at a high level. Would be good if the kids in our area could pursue that without driving 30-45 minutes to practice several times a week. And there are enough good players in our local area to form competitive teams.

But taking a a little broader perspective beyond VYS, I actually think the problem is structural - we have too many travel soccer clubs and travel teams in our area and the talent and resources (coaches, fields) are too fragmented as a result. If a few local clubs would combine travel resources we could have local teams that could consistently compete at a higher level. And that organization could have B teams that were pretty strong as well. But instead we have many clubs, all sub scale and then the kids feel the need to go off to megaclubs farther away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no, again, outside this message board, VYS has very little hostility.

This is not accurate. The whole reason why there was VYS' first ever contested board election this year, and for the huge turnout for the election, was because people were very upset over how things were being handled by VYS' professional staff and the lack of board oversight. Unfortunately, some of the new members who were elected to bring about change are not living up to their promises.

I was there. Even that wasn't a particularly contentious meeting. And the way it was described to me was that a couple of older board members had simply overstayed their welcome. The new board members have done a lot in a short time, but the big change may come when an executive director is hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no, again, outside this message board, VYS has very little hostility.

This is not accurate. The whole reason why there was VYS' first ever contested board election this year, and for the huge turnout for the election, was because people were very upset over how things were being handled by VYS' professional staff and the lack of board oversight. Unfortunately, some of the new members who were elected to bring about change are not living up to their promises.

I was there. Even that wasn't a particularly contentious meeting. And the way it was described to me was that a couple of older board members had simply overstayed their welcome. The new board members have done a lot in a short time, but the big change may come when an executive director is hired.

Your response indicates you don't really know what was going on. Do you know what triggered VYS having the NSCAA evaluation done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, can we hear about some other clubs, from the horse's mouth? Bethesda? McLean? Arlington? FPYC? PAC? Or do all the non-VYS parents and coaches and trainers out there have some kind of omertà about airing criticisms, constructive and otherwise?

Ok, I'll go. Moved over to McLean this year. So far happy, my son is happy and seems to enjoy the club as well as the opportunities it offers. Has improved some skills. I like the way the organization is structured, the communication between the parents and the coaches is something we've never experienced before, very open and willing to discuss my son's skills at anytime. The coaching staff is great! This is just my opinion and experience, I don't know what others have experienced.

This goes to show that every season and every kid is different. I'm glad your son is doing well. My kid had a nasty, abusive, not to mention unqualified, coach at McLean and we left. One the rosters swell to 35+ at McLean (happens in HS), your kid will only play if he is the best. But the best players are brought in from areas faaaar from McLean. I hope your son has a smoother road. Mine is playing in college now and we are so happy that we found a good program in HS. If your kid is miserable, he/she will quit the sport.

Mine played for McLean for 3 years in HS and had a good experience. There were definitely not any 35 player rosters - there were 3 teams in his age group and each had maybe 18? At least on our team (the Premier team) everyone got plenty of playing time. Agree that people came from all over, starting in about 9th grade. That's why we were there in fact. I think the other 2 teams in the age group were more dominated by McLean residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, can we hear about some other clubs, from the horse's mouth? Bethesda? McLean? Arlington? FPYC? PAC? Or do all the non-VYS parents and coaches and trainers out there have some kind of omertà about airing criticisms, constructive and otherwise?

Ok, I'll go. Moved over to McLean this year. So far happy, my son is happy and seems to enjoy the club as well as the opportunities it offers. Has improved some skills. I like the way the organization is structured, the communication between the parents and the coaches is something we've never experienced before, very open and willing to discuss my son's skills at anytime. The coaching staff is great! This is just my opinion and experience, I don't know what others have experienced.

This goes to show that every season and every kid is different. I'm glad your son is doing well. My kid had a nasty, abusive, not to mention unqualified, coach at McLean and we left. One the rosters swell to 35+ at McLean (happens in HS), your kid will only play if he is the best. But the best players are brought in from areas faaaar from McLean. I hope your son has a smoother road. Mine is playing in college now and we are so happy that we found a good program in HS. If your kid is miserable, he/she will quit the sport.

Mine played for McLean for 3 years in HS and had a good experience. There were definitely not any 35 player rosters - there were 3 teams in his age group and each had maybe 18? At least on our team (the Premier team) everyone got plenty of playing time. Agree that people came from all over, starting in about 9th grade. That's why we were there in fact. I think the other 2 teams in the age group were more dominated by McLean residents.

Some of the top-level teams -- ECNL, maybe DA while they were still in it -- had large rosters. Then they would bump some of those players down to the "B" teams, where they often weren't motivated. Not great chemistry.

It SHOULD work out OK to use club passes and move kids around, but parents and players can be awfully territorial about such things. Especially at McLean, where parents do not suffer perceived slights gladly. (Not that they really do anywhere in NoVa.)

You can get bad coaches anywhere. Or you can get parents that think they know more than the coach and therefore THINK the coach is a bad coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no, again, outside this message board, VYS has very little hostility.

This is not accurate. The whole reason why there was VYS' first ever contested board election this year, and for the huge turnout for the election, was because people were very upset over how things were being handled by VYS' professional staff and the lack of board oversight. Unfortunately, some of the new members who were elected to bring about change are not living up to their promises.

I was there. Even that wasn't a particularly contentious meeting. And the way it was described to me was that a couple of older board members had simply overstayed their welcome. The new board members have done a lot in a short time, but the big change may come when an executive director is hired.

Your response indicates you don't really know what was going on. Do you know what triggered VYS having the NSCAA evaluation done?

I think you've said this to me before, and here's the thing -- you probably heard one thing from one group of people, while I heard from other groups, including board members. (Of which I am not one.)

Some people said the new board members were going to go all-in on "elite" teams, shutting down programs for developmental teams and House. That was clearly wrong, I think we'd all agree.

So there was some misinformation going around, just as there's misinformation going around now on this thread. I'm inclined to think it was (and maybe still is) scare tactics by people close to the board members who were being pushed out, and if that's the case, it's pretty clear VYS parents made the right decisions in that board election.

I'm curious to know why VYS had the NSCAA evaluation, which is a fairly common thing to do. I have more of a sense of how the current board is using it, which is a blueprint for continuous improvement.

And that's a good thing. If your club isn't tinkering and isn't stressing development over winning, your club is going to be left behind. There are tidal waves coming through U.S. youth soccer, and every club has to be paying attention. My sense is that many clubs in NoVa are indeed doing so, but I can't speak to everyone. (There are SO many clubs! Little boutique clubs popping up in the in-between areas, the two Chantillys, small clubs pulling in people in PW and Loudoun, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no, again, outside this message board, VYS has very little hostility.

This is not accurate. The whole reason why there was VYS' first ever contested board election this year, and for the huge turnout for the election, was because people were very upset over how things were being handled by VYS' professional staff and the lack of board oversight. Unfortunately, some of the new members who were elected to bring about change are not living up to their promises.

I was there. Even that wasn't a particularly contentious meeting. And the way it was described to me was that a couple of older board members had simply overstayed their welcome. The new board members have done a lot in a short time, but the big change may come when an executive director is hired.

Your response indicates you don't really know what was going on. Do you know what triggered VYS having the NSCAA evaluation done?

I think you've said this to me before, and here's the thing -- you probably heard one thing from one group of people, while I heard from other groups, including board members. (Of which I am not one.)

Some people said the new board members were going to go all-in on "elite" teams, shutting down programs for developmental teams and House. That was clearly wrong, I think we'd all agree.

So there was some misinformation going around, just as there's misinformation going around now on this thread. I'm inclined to think it was (and maybe still is) scare tactics by people close to the board members who were being pushed out, and if that's the case, it's pretty clear VYS parents made the right decisions in that board election.

I'm curious to know why VYS had the NSCAA evaluation, which is a fairly common thing to do. I have more of a sense of how the current board is using it, which is a blueprint for continuous improvement.

And that's a good thing. If your club isn't tinkering and isn't stress -ing development over winning, your club is going to be left behind. There are tidal waves coming through U.S. youth soccer, and every club has to be paying attention. My sense is that many clubs in NoVa are indeed doing so, but I can't speak to everyone. (There are SO many clubs! Little boutique clubs popping up in the in-between areas, the two Chantillys, small clubs pulling in people in PW and Loudoun, etc.)

I'll let it drop after this, but it's strange that you continue to act that you know more about what's happening within VYS - you've talked to to a board member, wow - but yet it's clear you're clueless at what really was going on - hint, it's more than board members overstaying their time. Remind me not to buy your book when you write about this

[Anonymous]

Wow, you guys have board memebers....SYSA has one Donkey running the whole club, he is the president, treasurer and board member...dont think that is a conflit of interest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It seems like you have made many posts on this thread. Let me ask you a question - forgive me if it is a slightly pointed. What level does your son / daughter play at? From your posts I gather it is either on a low level travel team (ODSL) or on a house team. I think it goes a long way to explaining your perspective and probably those of VYS leadership. For example I believe the current Travel VP has a daughter who plays on an ODSL team. I think several others have kids who play soccer as a generic activity and not that well. Now these are good people and presumably they reflect the beliefs of the majority of VYS families. So fair enough. But it also IMO results in VYS not being particularly concerned with the kids learning and playing good, competitive soccer.

Dear Anonymous,

My name is Ryan, and I am the VP of Travel at VYS that you mention in your post. This is the first time that I have been made aware of and reviewed this thread and the last time that I intend to. But, since you reference both my daughter and myself personally in your posts, I do want to address three points.

First, if you have concerns about the direction of the VYS travel program, I would very much encourage you to express those views by emailing or calling me, coming to a Board or Travel Committee meeting, or otherwise joining in the productive dialogue that many people of good intention within the VYS travel program are currently having. If you did, I think you will find VYS officers, staff, and board members who are more than willing to listen. Indeed, we very much welcome open communication and honest feedback, rather than shying away from it, because we believe that it makes us stronger as a club and more responsive to our membership. That is why all of our meetings are open, why we have made so much use of surveys, and why I always pick up the phone whenever a concerned parent calls me. So, candidly, if you truly desire change within VYS, it is far more productive to join and engage in this healthy debate, as many others have done, instead of confining yourself to anonymous criticisms on Internet message boards from afar. I think that you might be surprised by what the response might be.

Second, while this is not the best forum for an extended debate about the philosophy of VYS travel soccer, I do want clarify one thing based on what I have seen in my quick perusal of this thread. Specifically, while I see a lot of discussion regarding whether VYS should aspire to be a “competitive” or a “community-based club,” the reality is that -- at least in my view -- we aspire to be both and do not think of those ideals as mutually exclusive. Does the VYS travel program have room for improvement in realizing that aspiration? Of course, it does. All clubs do. And, having just spent nearly seven hours working towards that end today before sitting down to read this thread, I can assure you that myself and others within VYS are working very, very hard to make sure that every VYS family, regardless of ability, is getting the experience they want and deserve here in Vienna. The truth is that we aren’t running a club for the 1% or the 99%. We are running a club for the 100%. As a former VYS officer once said, VYS is truly a “no child left behind” club, and that is always something that I have loved about it. There is nothing that makes me prouder than to go into the Giant on Maple Avenue on the weekends and to see all those smiling kids in their VYS travel and house shirts. It is why many of us do what we do. No matter whether you are a future national team player or a young kid who just wants to hang out with his or her friends playing a game they love, all that matters to us is that you are a kid from Vienna who wants to play soccer and, if you do, we aspire to have a top-notch program for you, regardless of your ability level.

Finally, I need to address one thing – I understand and accept that I will inevitably be subject to criticism by anonymous posters on message boards because of my volunteer position within the club. Fair enough. But, with all due respect, I do not understand why a grown man or woman would feel free to publicly identify and talk disparagingly (and inaccurately) about my nine-year-old daughter and the young children of other BOD members while simultaneously hiding behind the use of an anonymous email tag that shields his or her own identity. I may be a VYS officer and board member, but I am a dad first and foremost. And, as a dad, I find your comments regarding my daughter and the children of other VYS board members, and your decision to make them public, to be cowardly and despicable. You should feel free to call me and other board members any names you want. You can impugn our motives or criticize us to the nth degree. But I would hope that most DC urban moms and dads reading this thread would agree that there is a line that should not be crossed … and that you should leave our kids out of it. So, from one parent to another, I would ask you to please respect that line in the future.

With that said, I am more than happy to discuss your views and/or concerns at any time. While I do not intend to respond to or follow this thread further, I can assure you that I always pick up the phone and respond to emails from concerned parents, and I very much welcome constructive feedback and dialogue.

Sincerely,
Ryan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Finally, I need to address one thing – I understand and accept that I will inevitably be subject to criticism by anonymous posters on message boards because of my volunteer position within the club. Fair enough. But, with all due respect, I do not understand why a grown man or woman would feel free to publicly identify and talk disparagingly (and inaccurately) about my nine-year-old daughter and the young children of other BOD members while simultaneously hiding behind the use of an anonymous email tag that shields his or her own identity. I may be a VYS officer and board member, but I am a dad first and foremost. And, as a dad, I find your comments regarding my daughter and the children of other VYS board members, and your decision to make them public, to be cowardly and despicable. You should feel free to call me and other board members any names you want. You can impugn our motives or criticize us to the nth degree. But I would hope that most DC urban moms and dads reading this thread would agree that there is a line that should not be crossed … and that you should leave our kids out of it. So, from one parent to another, I would ask you to please respect that line in the future.

Sorry you are right - that was over the line (way over the line). I realized that almost immediately but didn't know any way to remove /edit posts.

[Anonymous]

In my years of VYS struggle, I have never heard such a constructive statement from one of the club's leaders. Kudos. Maybe there's hope that we'll turn the corner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It seems like you have made many posts on this thread. Let me ask you a question - forgive me if it is a slightly pointed. What level does your son / daughter play at? From your posts I gather it is either on a low level travel team (ODSL) or on a house team. I think it goes a long way to explaining your perspective and probably those of VYS leadership. For example I believe the current Travel VP has a daughter who plays on an ODSL team. I think several others have kids who play soccer as a generic activity and not that well. Now these are good people and presumably they reflect the beliefs of the majority of VYS families. So fair enough. But it also IMO results in VYS not being particularly concerned with the kids learning and playing good, competitive soccer.

Dear Anonymous,

My name is Ryan, and I am the VP of Travel at VYS that you mention in your post. This is the first time that I have been made aware of and reviewed this thread and the last time that I intend to. But, since you reference both my daughter and myself personally in your posts, I do want to address three points.

First, if you have concerns about the direction of the VYS travel program, I would very much encourage you to express those views by emailing or calling me, coming to a Board or Travel Committee meeting, or otherwise joining in the productive dialogue that many people of good intention within the VYS travel program are currently having. If you did, I think you will find VYS officers, staff, and board members who are more than willing to listen. Indeed, we very much welcome open communication and honest feedback, rather than shying away from it, because we believe that it makes us stronger as a club and more responsive to our membership. That is why all of our meetings are open, why we have made so much use of surveys, and why I always pick up the phone whenever a concerned parent calls me. So, candidly, if you truly desire change within VYS, it is far more productive to join and engage in this healthy debate, as many others have done, instead of confining yourself to anonymous criticisms on Internet message boards from afar. I think that you might be surprised by what the response might be.

Second, while this is not the best forum for an extended debate about the philosophy of VYS travel soccer, I do want clarify one thing based on what I have seen in my quick perusal of this thread. Specifically, while I see a lot of discussion regarding whether VYS should aspire to be a “competitive” or a “community-based club,” the reality is that -- at least in my view -- we aspire to be both and do not think of those ideals as mutually exclusive. Does the VYS travel program have room for improvement in realizing that aspiration? Of course, it does. All clubs do. And, having just spent nearly seven hours working towards that end today before sitting down to read this thread, I can assure you that myself and others within VYS are working very, very hard to make sure that every VYS family, regardless of ability, is getting the experience they want and deserve here in Vienna. The truth is that we aren’t running a club for the 1% or the 99%. We are running a club for the 100%. As a former VYS officer once said, VYS is truly a “no child left behind” club, and that is always something that I have loved about it. There is nothing that makes me prouder than to go into the Giant on Maple Avenue on the weekends and to see all those smiling kids in their VYS travel and house shirts. It is why many of us do what we do. No matter whether you are a future national team player or a young kid who just wants to hang out with his or her friends playing a game they love, all that matters to us is that you are a kid from Vienna who wants to play soccer and, if you do, we aspire to have a top-notch program for you, regardless of your ability level.

Finally, I need to address one thing – I understand and accept that I will inevitably be subject to criticism by anonymous posters on message boards because of my volunteer position within the club. Fair enough. But, with all due respect, I do not understand why a grown man or woman would feel free to publicly identify and talk disparagingly (and inaccurately) about my nine-year-old daughter and the young children of other BOD members while simultaneously hiding behind the use of an anonymous email tag that shields his or her own identity. I may be a VYS officer and board member, but I am a dad first and foremost. And, as a dad, I find your comments regarding my daughter and the children of other VYS board members, and your decision to make them public, to be cowardly and despicable. You should feel free to call me and other board members any names you want. You can impugn our motives or criticize us to the nth degree. But I would hope that most DC urban moms and dads reading this thread would agree that there is a line that should not be crossed … and that you should leave our kids out of it. So, from one parent to another, I would ask you to please respect that line in the future.

With that said, I am more than happy to discuss your views and/or concerns at any time. While I do not intend to respond to or follow this thread further, I can assure you that I always pick up the phone and respond to emails from concerned parents, and I very much welcome constructive feedback and dialogue.

Sincerely,
Ryan

Great post. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my years of VYS struggle, I have never heard such a constructive statement from one of the club's leaders. Kudos. Maybe there's hope that we'll turn the corner.

I completely agree. I am not a member of VYS but this response makes me want to consider it! After someone speaks poorly of not only children within VYS, but his own child, he responds in such a thoughtful manner inviting an unknown person into a dialogue??? Not too many BOD members I know in my club (or any organization for that manner) have the thoughtfulness embodied in this post and it reflects well on the efforts of a club striving to be the best that it can be for its members. This is after all people, YOUTH SPORTS!

[Anonymous]

I can understand why the VP was offended at the way this thread crossed a line and attacked his family. VYS itself has harmed my family, and damaged my kids' futures, so I know what it's like. I wouldn't wish that on him or anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my years of VYS struggle, I have never heard such a constructive statement from one of the club's leaders. Kudos. Maybe there's hope that we'll turn the corner.

I completely agree. I am not a member of VYS but this response makes me want to consider it! After someone speaks poorly of not only children within VYS, but his own child, he responds in such a thoughtful manner inviting an unknown person into a dialogue??? Not too many BOD members I know in my club (or any organization for that manner) have the thoughtfulness embodied in this post and it reflects well on the efforts of a club striving to be the best that it can be for its members. This is after all people, YOUTH SPORTS!

Too many lose sight of your last point!