Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am pretty pleased with the BRYC refund. Having managed teams at various clubs (both local and in other states, albeit at a younger age groups), much of what parents paid up front go to leagues and for fields; if those aren’t refunded by the leagues and county, it is difficult for the club to refund. Same thing goes for tournaments, many of them may not have refunded much of the registration fee to teams, which can climb into the thousands of dollars for major showcase tournaments. Just my two cents.

Much of what parents pay for is salaries for directors and coaches. Roughly 65-75% is going to salaries at most clubs. Teams are paying $1K-$2K per season for most leagues, which is a small percentage of the $30K~ that is getting collected per team.

Probably another $1k-$2k for tournaments. So maybe 10% goes to leagues and tournaments. $10K-$15K for the coach or about 40-50%. The rest 40%-50% is all about administrative costs with the lion’s share going to full-time, non-coaching staff. Clubs that are smart about managing that administrative cost are better able to return more money. As we’re seeing across many clubs, they have been adding a lot of overhead with very little to measure if this actually adds value. In the 10 years I’ve been involved in youth soccer, I’ve seen fees grow 400%. I have not seen 400% growth in quality nor in participation. Hopefully, this crisis will get boards and communities thinking hard about what makes sense. It’s probably time go back and make soccer about the kids and not the clubs and their personalities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

the refund or credit seems pretty fair to me- much more than many clubs are doing


OP here. I don't agree at all. We had a kid join my child's team in the spring. That child's family paid half of the year's fees. The family got almost nothing out of the season.


And yet you are complaining about YOUR situation where you played all fall. Not the new kid (whose parents I am sure can take that up with the club). Unless the leagues that Alexandria plays in and the fields they rent gave them a refund, there are sunk costs that have nothing to do with paying coaches.

You can be mad at Alexandria but their refund is far better than any other club in this area so your beef seems misplaced.

The whole concept of 'services rendered' is obsolete here for all but a certain portion of the fee (which is probably what you are getting back). Consider that the Falls season absorbs most of the cost of your travel fee (call it 65/70). Then you have a spring season with 30%--a portion of that is sunk cost, so the refund you are seeing accounts for that.

Unless you work for them, I am not sure how you know how their costs are allocated, or why you are so intent on attacking me on being concerned for the family of my child's teammate, as well as my own family. If you do, the club should have provided an explanation to parents (e.g., tournaments did not refund, the city still made us pay for fields, more costs allocated to fall).

No, I don't work for them--never even seen them play. I just have a general understanding of finance and how businesses run, and our club was a bit more transparent with the 'why' --calling out the payments they had to make for which they are getting no refund. I agree your club did a disservice by not explaining how they arrived at their number. And I agree the new kid, who got nothing, should be able to request an exception (not sure what other clubs are doing about that as Spring joiners tend to be more the exception), but for all other players who had a fall season, the Alexandria refund for the lighter spring season is decent relative to other clubs and is fair given the bills they still likely had to pay.....

[Anonymous]

No, I don't work for them--never even seen them play. I just have a general understanding of finance and how businesses run, and our club was a bit more transparent with the 'why' --calling out the payments they had to make for which they are getting no refund.

If you are in the DMV area and involved in soccer, how could you never have seen any Alexandria play? I have two kids who play for another club, and we've definitely seen them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No, I don't work for them--never even seen them play. I just have a general understanding of finance and how businesses run, and our club was a bit more transparent with the 'why' --calling out the payments they had to make for which they are getting no refund.

If you are in the DMV area and involved in soccer, how could you never have seen any Alexandria play? I have two kids who play for another club, and we've definitely seen them.

There are a lot of clubs in the DMV. I haven’t seen Alexandria play in years, but they seem to be upsetting people lately.

[Anonymous]

If you are in the DMV area and involved in soccer, how could you never have seen any Alexandria play? I have two kids who play for another club, and we've definitely seen them.


There are a lot of clubs in the DMV. I haven’t seen Alexandria play in years, but they seem to be upsetting people lately.

OP here. I am no longer upset. Just concerned about whether I should give them more money for the fall. This season's refund is water under the bridge, but I don't want the same thing to happen again.

[Anonymous]

At least you know about your refund. Learned last night we're still in "wait and see" mode.

When are tryouts for Alexandria Soccer?

[Anonymous]

At least you know about your refund. Learned last night we're still in "wait and see" mode.

When are tryouts for Alexandria Soccer?

There are none planned. Everyone who played last year gets a spot if they want it, and they'll take new people as they have space. Here is the process for getting placed: https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/academy/academy-tryouts/

[Anonymous]

I am shocked we actually were offered any refund at all.

I have 2 kids that play for Alexandria, one on a red team, one on a white team. The red team coach has been completely checked out this entire quarantine time. We have had only ONE zoom session that is only our team, and a handful of others (maybe 4) that are combined with either other age groups or all teams for several age groups so there are sometimes almost 100 kids on the call. It's a total waste of time. It's some kind of a joke. What is the coach doing all this time? It's his full time job to work for ASA.

My other kid on white has had semi-regular zoom session of just the team. Weekly check in with the coach. And the coach has a full-time job somewhere else, yet he manages to make an effort.

I hear from my friends with kids in Arlington ASA that they have had regular zoom practices all along.

I am so upset with the red team coach, he has zero fs to give and takes all our money. I don't understand how in some other job that would be permissible. UGH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am shocked we actually were offered any refund at all.

I have 2 kids that play for Alexandria, one on a red team, one on a white team. The red team coach has been completely checked out this entire quarantine time. We have had only ONE zoom session that is only our team, and a handful of others (maybe 4) that are combined with either other age groups or all teams for several age groups so there are sometimes almost 100 kids on the call. It's a total waste of time. It's some kind of a joke. What is the coach doing all this time? It's his full time job to work for ASA.

My other kid on white has had semi-regular zoom session of just the team. Weekly check in with the coach. And the coach has a full-time job somewhere else, yet he manages to make an effort.

I hear from my friends with kids in Arlington ASA that they have had regular zoom practices all along.

I am so upset with the red team coach, he has zero fs to give and takes all our money. I don't understand how in some other job that would be permissible. UGH.

Sorry to hear that. Child is on a different red team. We've had two zoom training sessions per week as well as another social zoom session weekly. Coach has been intensely engaged with everybody on team and has given a lot of thought to this fall. I am sure the club is aware of what happened with your coach, but if they are not, you should express your views directly to Jennie Orloff or others. I have heard a lot of grousing about the use of Techne Futbol elsewhere, including Arlington. I don't know if you are referring to that as a practice or something else, but interesting intel nonetheless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought they had been over charging for years in order to build up the sustainability fund. It seems like this is the time they should be using those funds to give proper refunds .... maybe that fund is more subterfuge from the board and club.

I had two in Alexandria this year (one is graduating), and they each have played for other top area clubs. Alexandria's fees are not out of line with anybody else. As for playing in house tournaments, my younger kid was slated to play three outside tournaments and the ASK, same as Arlington for that age group (theirs is the ASIST). My older kid was slated for four outside tournaments, plus State Cup, two CCL showcases, the Alexandria showcase, and the EDP spring conference. Seems in line with everyone competing at that level.

Don't forget, regardless of not-for-profit status, this is a business not some city service. There is overhead, bonding, field and facility rentals. I'll be none of that was prorated.

There is plenty of room for improvement -- I would like to see top teams move into ECNL and pursue more regional/national competition, and have the white teams pursue state-wide prominence and compete in second tier competitions such as President’s Cup -- but as for the cost, it’s the going rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am shocked we actually were offered any refund at all.

I have 2 kids that play for Alexandria, one on a red team, one on a white team. The red team coach has been completely checked out this entire quarantine time. We have had only ONE zoom session that is only our team, and a handful of others (maybe 4) that are combined with either other age groups or all teams for several age groups so there are sometimes almost 100 kids on the call. It's a total waste of time. It's some kind of a joke. What is the coach doing all this time? It's his full time job to work for ASA.

My other kid on white has had semi-regular zoom session of just the team. Weekly check in with the coach. And the coach has a full-time job somewhere else, yet he manages to make an effort.

I hear from my friends with kids in Arlington ASA that they have had regular zoom practices all along.

I am so upset with the red team coach, he has zero fs to give and takes all our money. I don't understand how in some other job that would be permissible. UGH.

Sorry to hear that. Child is on a different red team. We've had two zoom training sessions per week as well as another social zoom session weekly. Coach has been intensely engaged with everybody on team and has given a lot of thought to this fall. I am sure the club is aware of what happened with your coach, but if they are not, you should express your views directly to Jennie Orloff or others. I have heard a lot of grousing about the use of Techne Futbol elsewhere, including Arlington. I don't know if you are referring to that as a practice or something else, but interesting intel nonetheless.

I definitely plan on discussing with Jennie, but ONLY after I have in writing what team my children are slated for for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought they had been over charging for years in order to build up the sustainability fund. It seems like this is the time they should be using those funds to give proper refunds .... maybe that fund is more subterfuge from the board and club.

I had two in Alexandria this year (one is graduating), and they each have played for other top area clubs. Alexandria's fees are not out of line with anybody else. As for playing in house tournaments, my younger kid was slated to play three outside tournaments and the ASK, same as Arlington for that age group (theirs is the ASIST). My older kid was slated for four outside tournaments, plus State Cup, two CCL showcases, the Alexandria showcase, and the EDP spring conference. Seems in line with everyone competing at that level.

Don't forget, regardless of not-for-profit status, this is a business not some city service. There is overhead, bonding, field and facility rentals. I'll be none of that was prorated.

There is plenty of room for improvement -- I would like to see top teams move into ECNL and pursue more regional/national competition, and have the white teams pursue state-wide prominence and compete in second tier competitions such as President’s Cup -- but as for the cost, it’s the going rate.

I have a very good understanding of how soccer clubs operate. While it is a business, in this case it is first a non-profit than a business. Either through a lack of knowledge or something else, this club has demonstrated that it is not following the laws for non-profits. Maybe they hope they won’t get caught, but they probably don’t realize the personal penalties involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought they had been over charging for years in order to build up the sustainability fund. It seems like this is the time they should be using those funds to give proper refunds .... maybe that fund is more subterfuge from the board and club.

I had two in Alexandria this year (one is graduating), and they each have played for other top area clubs. Alexandria's fees are not out of line with anybody else. As for playing in house tournaments, my younger kid was slated to play three outside tournaments and the ASK, same as Arlington for that age group (theirs is the ASIST). My older kid was slated for four outside tournaments, plus State Cup, two CCL showcases, the Alexandria showcase, and the EDP spring conference. Seems in line with everyone competing at that level.

Don't forget, regardless of not-for-profit status, this is a business not some city service. There is overhead, bonding, field and facility rentals. I'll be none of that was prorated.

There is plenty of room for improvement -- I would like to see top teams move into ECNL and pursue more regional/national competition, and have the white teams pursue state-wide prominence and compete in second tier competitions such as President’s Cup -- but as for the cost, it’s the going rate.

I have a very good understanding of how soccer clubs operate. While it is a business, in this case it is first a non-profit than a business. Either through a lack of knowledge or something else, this club has demonstrated that it is not following the laws for non-profits. Maybe they hope they won’t get caught, but they probably don’t realize the personal penalties involved.

I encourage you to explore some of the other area options. If you find an better deal, come back and let us all know will you?

There is nothing at Arlington that you aren't going to find here (except ECNL for the top teams). LMVSC chases away all of its best coaches every three years, SYC doesn’t have the players because the go to BRYC's ECNL teams. But BRYC isn't giving anything away for free, and its lower teams are poor. McLean? They are more expensive and anything below the ECNL team and you are just revenue. PAC doesn’t have the facilities or the players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought they had been over charging for years in order to build up the sustainability fund. It seems like this is the time they should be using those funds to give proper refunds .... maybe that fund is more subterfuge from the board and club.

I had two in Alexandria this year (one is graduating), and they each have played for other top area clubs. Alexandria's fees are not out of line with anybody else. As for playing in house tournaments, my younger kid was slated to play three outside tournaments and the ASK, same as Arlington for that age group (theirs is the ASIST). My older kid was slated for four outside tournaments, plus State Cup, two CCL showcases, the Alexandria showcase, and the EDP spring conference. Seems in line with everyone competing at that level.

Don't forget, regardless of not-for-profit status, this is a business not some city service. There is overhead, bonding, field and facility rentals. I'll be none of that was prorated.

There is plenty of room for improvement -- I would like to see top teams move into ECNL and pursue more regional/national competition, and have the white teams pursue state-wide prominence and compete in second tier competitions such as President’s Cup -- but as for the cost, it’s the going rate.

I have a very good understanding of how soccer clubs operate. While it is a business, in this case it is first a non-profit than a business. Either through a lack of knowledge or something else, this club has demonstrated that it is not following the laws for non-profits. Maybe they hope they won’t get caught, but they probably don’t realize the personal penalties involved.

I encourage you to explore some of the other area options. If you find an better deal, come back and let us all know will you?

There is nothing at Arlington that you aren't going to find here (except ECNL for the top teams). LMVSC chases away all of its best coaches every three years, SYC doesn’t have the players because the go to BRYC's ECNL teams. But BRYC isn't giving anything away for free, and its lower teams are poor. McLean? They are more expensive and anything below the ECNL team and you are just revenue. PAC doesn’t have the facilities or the players.

Even for top teams on the boys side, ECNL or USYS and/or Acela League for top Alexandria boys teams in addition to CCL? The latter, no contest, at least in younger groups.

[Anonymous]

I am shocked we actually were offered any refund at all.

I have 2 kids that play for Alexandria, one on a red team, one on a white team. The red team coach has been completely checked out this entire quarantine time. We have had only ONE zoom session that is only our team, and a handful of others (maybe 4) that are combined with either other age groups or all teams for several age groups so there are sometimes almost 100 kids on the call. It's a total waste of time. It's some kind of a joke. What is the coach doing all this time? It's his full time job to work for ASA.

My other kid on white has had semi-regular zoom session of just the team. Weekly check in with the coach. And the coach has a full-time job somewhere else, yet he manages to make an effort.

I hear from my friends with kids in Arlington ASA that they have had regular zoom practices all along.

I am so upset with the red team coach, he has zero fs to give and takes all our money. I don't understand how in some other job that would be permissible. UGH.

Wow, I am sorry to hear that. We are on a lower-level Alexandria team, and our coach has had regular zoom training sessions, plus a few hangout sessions for the kids.