Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure you all have any idea what Bethesda South is.

Well then, enlighten us. You or someone else advertise try-outs and a goalie here, so please explain to us how they differ. Not saying that they aren't different but you clearly think that they are very different.

Someone else, but I'll try to explain ...

Bethesda South is only interested in elite teams, ideally producing players that will eventually cross the Potomac and become DA players at Bethesda proper.

I doubt they even have many Virginians on their board. I doubt they have many directors who cross the river that often.

It's not a community club. It's an *offshoot* of a community club that's specifically tasked with finding good players here from their Virginia partners or elsewhere.

They're not running rec programs here, so they don't have parents who've been ingratiating themselves with club management since their kids were U5s. I would imagine most parents don't meet anyone at the club until the first tryout (or at least when the first tryout is approaching).

So it just seems strange to impose all these stereotypes we have of community club soccer on this program.

My only tie to Bethesda South is that I know players who've left my club to go there. They're all outstanding players who were on the top teams at our club, and deservedly so. Mommy and Daddy weren't buying them a place on anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure you all have any idea what Bethesda South is.

Well then, enlighten us. You or someone else advertise try-outs and a goalie here, so please explain to us how they differ. Not saying that they aren't different but you clearly think that they are very different.

Someone else, but I'll try to explain ...

Bethesda South is only interested in elite teams, ideally producing players that will eventually cross the Potomac and become DA players at Bethesda proper.

I doubt they even have many Virginians on their board. I doubt they have many directors who cross the river that often.

It's not a community club. It's an *offshoot* of a community club that's specifically tasked with finding good players here from their Virginia partners or elsewhere.

They're not running rec programs here, so they don't have parents who've been ingratiating themselves with club management since their kids were U5s. I would imagine most parents don't meet anyone at the club until the first tryout (or at least when the first tryout is approaching).

So it just seems strange to impose all these stereotypes we have of community club soccer on this program.

My only tie to Bethesda South is that I know players who've left my club to go there. They're all outstanding players who were on the top teams at our club, and deservedly so. Mommy and Daddy weren't buying them a place on anything.

Well my view is not any different than what you state. I think some of us were disagreeing with the notion that $ could buy you a spot on BS for those same reasons.

[Anonymous]

^^yes. We checked them out last winter. It was my son's first choice as he was thrilled with the coach, level of play, etc. Great Falls is just way too far for us to drive for weeknight practices. I don't think they ended up not fielding a 2005 team.

The tryout was incredibly well-organized--not just crowded scrimmages for 90min. with pre-seeded/picked fields. Technical skills, juggling, ball control, 1 v 1, 2 v 2, etc.

The players attending were very high quality. It's not a BS, political club.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that poster said that BSC-South would take anyone with money. I think there were some general comments on how maybe that happens at some places...whether it's money or knowing people can affect who gets on certain teams. I didn't see anyone say that BSC-South does this. I think we can move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that poster said that BSC-South would take anyone with money. I think there were some general comments on how maybe that happens at some places...whether it's money or knowing people can affect who gets on certain teams. I didn't see anyone say that BSC-South does this. I think we can move on.

It doesn't even matter if it was pointed at a particular club or not, it is a tired and played out complaint. Money doesn't buy a spot on any team but money can buy training, lots and lots of training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that poster said that BSC-South would take anyone with money. I think there were some general comments on how maybe that happens at some places...whether it's money or knowing people can affect who gets on certain teams. I didn't see anyone say that BSC-South does this. I think we can move on.

It doesn't even matter if it was pointed at a particular club or not, it is a tired and played out complaint. Money doesn't buy a spot on any team but money can buy training, lots and lots of training.

I agree with you if that helps.. : )

[Anonymous]

So we're all in agreement that the only way money will get a kid to Bethesda South is if that money is spent on a lot of top-notch training, and even that is far from a guarantee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we're all in agreement that the only way money will get a kid to Bethesda South is if that money is spent on a lot of top-notch training, and even that is far from a guarantee?

Yes, we all agree. Now can we move along?

[Anonymous]

Curious. Has anyone had their kids move clubs (not team) after Fall season just because they weren't happy? Not because family moved. What caused the change? Was it hard to find another club with an opening? Were you still responsible for paying the remainder of the balance at the original club? How long did you stay at new club? Good or Bad decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

JohnnyFutbol wrote:Highly competitive U11 Boys team is in search of a dedicated goal keeper for Spring season. Player does not have to currently play travel soccer, but should have strong basic skill set (athleticism, ability to catch, etc.). PM me for more information. Team is based in Fairfax County.

Bethesda South, right?

They did indeed send out an email looking for a goalkeeper and field players. I have no idea how I wound up on their mailing list.

Another email receiver here. Also not sure how they got our email address. Wondering why Bethesda South is 2006 boys are looking for so many players mid year. Had heard that there tons of kids at spring tryouts.

They also have lost players mid-season. One of their best players, in fact, has already left. A few others as well left after bad experiences (from what I heard; not first-hand).

[Anonymous]

My comment on the last two posts is that no matter how good the training or the team, some parents always think the grass is greener elsewhere. It happens at many clubs, not just Bethesda South. In fact, it probably happens more at the top level because the expectations and intensity are that much higher. And just because a kid is one of the best players, it doesn't mean he is coachable or gets along with his teammates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My comment on the last two posts is that no matter how good the training or the team, some parents always think the grass is greener elsewhere. It happens at many clubs, not just Bethesda South. In fact, it probably happens more at the top level because the expectations and intensity are that much higher. And just because a kid is one of the best players, it doesn't mean he is coachable or gets along with his teammates.

Very, very true. Especially with the families of really good players. They have very high hopes, very high expectations for their little future Messi. They may be great players, but not necessarily great people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

JohnnyFutbol wrote:Highly competitive U11 Boys team is in search of a dedicated goal keeper for Spring season. Player does not have to currently play travel soccer, but should have strong basic skill set (athleticism, ability to catch, etc.). PM me for more information. Team is based in Fairfax County.

Bethesda South, right?

They did indeed send out an email looking for a goalkeeper and field players. I have no idea how I wound up on their mailing list.

Another email receiver here. Also not sure how they got our email address. Wondering why Bethesda South is 2006 boys are looking for so many players mid year. Had heard that there tons of kids at spring tryouts.

They also have lost players mid-season. One of their best players, in fact, has already left. A few others as well left after bad experiences (from what I heard; not first-hand).

what were those experiences? were they released without having to pay the remainder of the financial obligation. Probably not hard to find a team coming from BS but it may be harder for those players that are not the best from a good program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious. Has anyone had their kids move clubs (not team) after Fall season just because they weren't happy? Not because family moved. What caused the change? Was it hard to find another club with an opening? Were you still responsible for paying the remainder of the balance at the original club? How long did you stay at new club? Good or Bad decision?

This question is not based on the BS comments, it's just a general question to understand such situations and how different players or clubs handled them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious. Has anyone had their kids move clubs (not team) after Fall season just because they weren't happy? Not because family moved. What caused the change? Was it hard to find another club with an opening? Were you still responsible for paying the remainder of the balance at the original club? How long did you stay at new club? Good or Bad decision?

This question is not based on the BS comments, it's just a general question to understand such situations and how different players or clubs handled them.

We've had kids join after the Fall season. In one instance the same kid left after the following fall season.

In all cases the players/families were not happy with their situation so greener grass was the reason. I do not know financially what the hit was for moving. I don't know if they paid out at the club they left and were giving a price break upon arriving. Either way, players cards were not a problem.