What's going on with FCBEscola NOVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

This is pretty funny. Not true, but funny.

Glad you think it's funny. It's absolutely true and has been witnessed first hand by many who left after year one. But keep on pumping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

Wow, my kids were in the program from the beginning and I did not experience anything like what you've just described. Given the dire picture you've painted, I wonder why almost every family returned and they added many more players?

In terms of communication, I don't think that other soccer clubs in Northern Virginia come anywhere close. Whenever we emailed a question, we received a response within an hour or so. During the year, they had several meetings with parents of each team to explain their methodology, what they are trying to achieve and how each team is progressing. The meetings included video presentations, where the actual game and training footage was used to illustrate some of their points. I did not see any raving fanatics among the parents. As for politics, the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues. The program has a procedure for discussing player specific issues by requesting a meeting with the technical director. As for favoring more physical kids over smaller kids, I don't believe it is true. Their style of play is not based on brute force and physicality. Barca teams that play in the tournaments routinely include younger players that play up, sometimes in large numbers. This was my experience with the program and coming back for another year was an easy decision for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you whose children did Barca last year: are they teaching Tiki-Taka as the system of play or is it more generic, and just a general focus on possession play?

The methods they use are intended to get to Tika-Taka style. It is done in age appropriate fashion building upon lessons throughout the year and presumably from year to year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you whose children did Barca last year: are they teaching Tiki-Taka as the system of play or is it more generic, and just a general focus on possession play?

I am not sure if they actually use the term Tiki-Taka, but they use the same training approach/drills as in La Masia with lots of rondos. There is a big focus on teaching kids how to win and maintain possession. It is not random. There is a clear difference in the style of play when they play against other clubs. You can see it on the field, even with the younger age groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you whose children did Barca last year: are they teaching Tiki-Taka as the system of play or is it more generic, and just a general focus on possession play?

Barcelona doesn’t play a tiki-taka style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

Wow, my kids were in the program from the beginning and I did not experience anything like what you've just described. Given the dire picture you've painted, I wonder why almost every family returned and they added many more players?

In terms of communication, I don't think that other soccer clubs in Northern Virginia come anywhere close. Whenever we emailed a question, we received a response within an hour or so. During the year, they had several meetings with parents of each team to explain their methodology, what they are trying to achieve and how each team is progressing. The meetings included video presentations, where the actual game and training footage was used to illustrate some of their points. I did not see any raving fanatics among the parents. As for politics, the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues. The program has a procedure for discussing player specific issues by requesting a meeting with the technical director. As for favoring more physical kids over smaller kids, I don't believe it is true. Their style of play is not based on brute force and physicality. Barca teams that play in the tournaments routinely include younger players that play up, sometimes in large numbers. This was my experience with the program and coming back for another year was an easy decision for us.

I guess they had a different experience than you did. Like the posters who say they are happy in their current environment vs the ones who were unhappy and left. It's pretty clear at this point that there is no nirvana out there, positives and negatives in every environment. And, you can't take the politics out of humanity, it's just a fact of life. Especially here, in the land of lawyers and lobbyists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

Wow, my kids were in the program from the beginning and I did not experience anything like what you've just described. Given the dire picture you've painted, I wonder why almost every family returned and they added many more players?

In terms of communication, I don't think that other soccer clubs in Northern Virginia come anywhere close. Whenever we emailed a question, we received a response within an hour or so. During the year, they had several meetings with parents of each team to explain their methodology, what they are trying to achieve and how each team is progressing. The meetings included video presentations, where the actual game and training footage was used to illustrate some of their points. I did not see any raving fanatics among the parents. As for politics, the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues. The program has a procedure for discussing player specific issues by requesting a meeting with the technical director. As for favoring more physical kids over smaller kids, I don't believe it is true. Their style of play is not based on brute force and physicality. Barca teams that play in the tournaments routinely include younger players that play up, sometimes in large numbers. This was my experience with the program and coming back for another year was an easy decision for us.

I guess they had a different experience than you did. Like the posters who say they are happy in their current environment vs the ones who were unhappy and left. It's pretty clear at this point that there is no nirvana out there, positives and negatives in every environment. And, you can't take the politics out of humanity, it's just a fact of life. Especially here, in the land of lawyers and lobbyists.

“...the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

Wow, my kids were in the program from the beginning and I did not experience anything like what you've just described. Given the dire picture you've painted, I wonder why almost every family returned and they added many more players?

In terms of communication, I don't think that other soccer clubs in Northern Virginia come anywhere close. Whenever we emailed a question, we received a response within an hour or so. During the year, they had several meetings with parents of each team to explain their methodology, what they are trying to achieve and how each team is progressing. The meetings included video presentations, where the actual game and training footage was used to illustrate some of their points. I did not see any raving fanatics among the parents. As for politics, the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues. The program has a procedure for discussing player specific issues by requesting a meeting with the technical director. As for favoring more physical kids over smaller kids, I don't believe it is true. Their style of play is not based on brute force and physicality. Barca teams that play in the tournaments routinely include younger players that play up, sometimes in large numbers. This was my experience with the program and coming back for another year was an easy decision for us.

I guess they had a different experience than you did. Like the posters who say they are happy in their current environment vs the ones who were unhappy and left. It's pretty clear at this point that there is no nirvana out there, positives and negatives in every environment. And, you can't take the politics out of humanity, it's just a fact of life. Especially here, in the land of lawyers and lobbyists.

“...the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues.”

Yes. And, as far as size, that's laughable. The two teeny tiniest kids on the team are the starting Striker and Center mid on my kids team. They have zero problem against players much, much bigger. It's about as 'size-blind' as it gets--particularly because little guys are often even playing up with older groups (where they are even littler). Nobody has the Coaches contacts/numbers/email. There are no 'team' managers. There is ONE paid Central manager for the entire Academy who can set up appointments directly with the TD or handle questions about kits, report a kid's illness/absence, etc. She gives the messages to the training staff. The TD and all the coaches train every age group, clip boards out every session. The TD knows every kid in the program and watches development. The parents do not go down to the field. The kids are released and sent out to the parents after training sessions. So, it's fairly hard, for even the savviest a**-kisser to break through. But, many parents think that's what happening if they aren't happy with their child's progression. Take it all with a grain of salt. Nobody should be taking anyone's opinion for word (even this one) without going out to experience any Club for themselves. People fit different places, that's why there is choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

Wow, my kids were in the program from the beginning and I did not experience anything like what you've just described. Given the dire picture you've painted, I wonder why almost every family returned and they added many more players?

In terms of communication, I don't think that other soccer clubs in Northern Virginia come anywhere close. Whenever we emailed a question, we received a response within an hour or so. During the year, they had several meetings with parents of each team to explain their methodology, what they are trying to achieve and how each team is progressing. The meetings included video presentations, where the actual game and training footage was used to illustrate some of their points. I did not see any raving fanatics among the parents. As for politics, the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues. The program has a procedure for discussing player specific issues by requesting a meeting with the technical director. As for favoring more physical kids over smaller kids, I don't believe it is true. Their style of play is not based on brute force and physicality. Barca teams that play in the tournaments routinely include younger players that play up, sometimes in large numbers. This was my experience with the program and coming back for another year was an easy decision for us.

I guess they had a different experience than you did. Like the posters who say they are happy in their current environment vs the ones who were unhappy and left. It's pretty clear at this point that there is no nirvana out there, positives and negatives in every environment. And, you can't take the politics out of humanity, it's just a fact of life. Especially here, in the land of lawyers and lobbyists.

“...the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues.”

This is the norm at most European academies. Soccer related things are discussed between the player and the coach. Coaches coach, parents support. This may be hard for helicopter parents to accept.

[Anonymous]

As a former manager with a full-time day job, not having to volunteer for anything is well-worth the $ !!! The staff handles everything. We just pay and drop our kids off and pick them up in designated spot. FCB registers all the players, takes the players' photos for player cards, organizes/register for tournaments. It's so nice, seriously. And, it avoids the drama like the fight going on between a parent and the team manager in another recent thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former manager with a full-time day job, not having to volunteer for anything is well-worth the $ !!! The staff handles everything. We just pay and drop our kids off and pick them up in designated spot. FCB registers all the players, takes the players' photos for player cards, organizes/register for tournaments. It's so nice, seriously. And, it avoids the drama like the fight going on between a parent and the team manager in another recent thread.

Exactly. Again, if you don’t get it, you just don’t get it. You don’t have to send your player there, but why knock it by spreading misinformation? They focus exclusively on development, and anyone that says otherwise is lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former manager with a full-time day job, not having to volunteer for anything is well-worth the $ !!! The staff handles everything. We just pay and drop our kids off and pick them up in designated spot. FCB registers all the players, takes the players' photos for player cards, organizes/register for tournaments. It's so nice, seriously. And, it avoids the drama like the fight going on between a parent and the team manager in another recent thread.

Exactly. Again, if you don’t get it, you just don’t get it. You don’t have to send your player there, but why knock it by spreading misinformation? They focus exclusively on development, and anyone that says otherwise is lying.

This sounds like a case of pot, meet kettle. Of course, the guy on your side is telling the truth and the guy who is not is lying. It's the way of the world.

There was a serious question raised though. Do you believe that the TD (assuming that coaches really NEVER speak with parents on any level), or any staff member, is incorruptible? That they may not curry to favorities based on their biases? That sounds very naive to me. It's a very human flaw and I'm more inclined to believe a poster who says they have seen it than someone who insists the staff at a club (any club) are beyond reproach. It's just not a realistic belief, where human beings are concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are issues at Barca the same as other clubs. There is favoritism, including favoring more physical kids over smaller and more disciplined kids, dismissal of parent concerns, communication gaps, and politics, between parents as well as between parents and the staff. Those who take the plunge will find out on their own.

It is a great place for raving fanatics, though. This thread provides many, wonderful examples.

Wow, my kids were in the program from the beginning and I did not experience anything like what you've just described. Given the dire picture you've painted, I wonder why almost every family returned and they added many more players?

In terms of communication, I don't think that other soccer clubs in Northern Virginia come anywhere close. Whenever we emailed a question, we received a response within an hour or so. During the year, they had several meetings with parents of each team to explain their methodology, what they are trying to achieve and how each team is progressing. The meetings included video presentations, where the actual game and training footage was used to illustrate some of their points. I did not see any raving fanatics among the parents. As for politics, the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues. The program has a procedure for discussing player specific issues by requesting a meeting with the technical director. As for favoring more physical kids over smaller kids, I don't believe it is true. Their style of play is not based on brute force and physicality. Barca teams that play in the tournaments routinely include younger players that play up, sometimes in large numbers. This was my experience with the program and coming back for another year was an easy decision for us.

I guess they had a different experience than you did. Like the posters who say they are happy in their current environment vs the ones who were unhappy and left. It's pretty clear at this point that there is no nirvana out there, positives and negatives in every environment. And, you can't take the politics out of humanity, it's just a fact of life. Especially here, in the land of lawyers and lobbyists.

“...the parents are not even allowed to talk to coaches about training/playing issues.”

This is the norm at most European academies. Soccer related things are discussed between the player and the coach. Coaches coach, parents support. This may be hard for helicopter parents to accept.

International soccer, that paragon of ethics and morality! Oh, wait...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former manager with a full-time day job, not having to volunteer for anything is well-worth the $ !!! The staff handles everything. We just pay and drop our kids off and pick them up in designated spot. FCB registers all the players, takes the players' photos for player cards, organizes/register for tournaments. It's so nice, seriously. And, it avoids the drama like the fight going on between a parent and the team manager in another recent thread.

Exactly. Again, if you don’t get it, you just don’t get it. You don’t have to send your player there, but why knock it by spreading misinformation? They focus exclusively on development, and anyone that says otherwise is lying.

This sounds like a case of pot, meet kettle. Of course, the guy on your side is telling the truth and the guy who is not is lying. It's the way of the world.

There was a serious question raised though. Do you believe that the TD (assuming that coaches really NEVER speak with parents on any level), or any staff member, is incorruptible? That they may not curry to favorities based on their biases? That sounds very naive to me. It's a very human flaw and I'm more inclined to believe a poster who says they have seen it than someone who insists the staff at a club (any club) are beyond reproach. It's just not a realistic belief, where human beings are concerned.

What I would believe is that the disgruntled parent likely tried to curry favor for their kid and didn’t succeed.

I’m not really sure what favors a parent could have expected from Barca last year. There were no established teams. At one point or another during the week each coach worked with each player.

Players were placed in fluid groups and moved based on progress or need. I’m not really sure what influence the poster thinks any parent would either want or achieve by “corrupting” the coach. Perhaps you could get that cushy 10am game time for the internal friendly instead of 9am?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former manager with a full-time day job, not having to volunteer for anything is well-worth the $ !!! The staff handles everything. We just pay and drop our kids off and pick them up in designated spot. FCB registers all the players, takes the players' photos for player cards, organizes/register for tournaments. It's so nice, seriously. And, it avoids the drama like the fight going on between a parent and the team manager in another recent thread.

Exactly. Again, if you don’t get it, you just don’t get it. You don’t have to send your player there, but why knock it by spreading misinformation? They focus exclusively on development, and anyone that says otherwise is lying.

This sounds like a case of pot, meet kettle. Of course, the guy on your side is telling the truth and the guy who is not is lying. It's the way of the world.

There was a serious question raised though. Do you believe that the TD (assuming that coaches really NEVER speak with parents on any level), or any staff member, is incorruptible? That they may not curry to favorities based on their biases? That sounds very naive to me. It's a very human flaw and I'm more inclined to believe a poster who says they have seen it than someone who insists the staff at a club (any club) are beyond reproach. It's just not a realistic belief, where human beings are concerned.

What I would believe is that the disgruntled parent likely tried to curry favor for their kid and didn’t succeed.

I’m not really sure what favors a parent could have expected from Barca last year. There were no established teams. At one point or another during the week each coach worked with each player.

Players were placed in fluid groups and moved based on progress or need. I’m not really sure what influence the poster thinks any parent would either want or achieve by “corrupting” the coach. Perhaps you could get that cushy 10am game time for the internal friendly instead of 9am?

Or maybe that trip to Spain and other perks of being considered a top player. Oh, I forgot, there are no favorites in this program. I need to be more disciplined and stick to the propaganda points!