Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yeah, I fail to see how this would really change anything except that kids born January-March will have an advantage instead of the kids born August-October.

It's kind of a pity because the current system usually lets kids play with their classmates.

The August-October kids don't really have a advantage right now. All the higher level teams are by birth year. If August-October play "on age" through house and local travel they then need to try out "playing up" for the higher level teams and all the early years played with a physical advantage are detrimental. The problem right now is that US Youth Soccer is using two age cutoffs (Aug 1st and Birth Year). We should converge on one consistent age cutoff - does not matter which one. But since international standard is Birth Year that is the only one that is possible to converge on.

For travel teams the playing with classmates is not that relevant. These teams draw from multiple schools. For example my kid only has a few other kids from his elementary school in the entire multi team squad. And Aug 1st does not align exactly with school cutoff anyway - there is already a couple month gap in many states.

For house teams, I agree that it could make some difference. I have seen some house teams where most of the team is from the same grade of the same school.

You must be talking about boys soccer and DAs. No higher level girls team I know of uses birth year.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to ask: Is the switch to the birth-year system really going to happen across the U.S. (and thus in Northern Virginia)? I didn't hear that an official or "binding" USSF mandate had been announced, only allusions to rumors about its inevitability. Are the commenters here saying it's been decided but not implemented yet? Sorry to be dense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to ask: Is the switch to the birth-year system really going to happen across the U.S. (and thus in Northern Virginia)? I didn't hear that an official or "binding" USSF mandate had been announced, only allusions to rumors about its inevitability. Are the commenters here saying it's been decided but not implemented yet? Sorry to be dense.

I was under the impression it was a done deal-just not implemented yet.

But I haven't heard our Club mention it--so no idea.

I realize this was useless!

[Anonymous]

I don't know, but it's hard to believe that it has been mandated for this to be done in 2017 for all age groups and we have heard virtually nothing about it, other than a blast by a California association.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yeah, I fail to see how this would really change anything except that kids born January-March will have an advantage instead of the kids born August-October.

It's kind of a pity because the current system usually lets kids play with their classmates.

The August-October kids don't really have a advantage right now. All the higher level teams are by birth year. If August-October play "on age" through house and local travel they then need to try out "playing up" for the higher level teams and all the early years played with a physical advantage are detrimental. The problem right now is that US Youth Soccer is using two age cutoffs (Aug 1st and Birth Year). We should converge on one consistent age cutoff - does not matter which one. But since international standard is Birth Year that is the only one that is possible to converge on.

For travel teams the playing with classmates is not that relevant. These teams draw from multiple schools. For example my kid only has a few other kids from his elementary school in the entire multi team squad. And Aug 1st does not align exactly with school cutoff anyway - there is already a couple month gap in many states.

For house teams, I agree that it could make some difference. I have seen some house teams where most of the team is from the same grade of the same school.

You must be talking about boys soccer and DAs. No higher level girls team I know of uses birth year.

Not sure where PP lives but all the higher level boys and girls travel teams in this area -- except ODP (and perhaps DA) -- are definitely NOT currently by birth year.

[Anonymous]

those crazy Moms and Dads with kids with Jul and Aug birthdays will find away around it! they have already invested an extra year in pre school so there baby can be the oldest in the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know, but it's hard to believe that it has been mandated for this to be done in 2017 for all age groups and we have heard virtually nothing about it, other than a blast by a California association.

I heard about this at your NOVA club. Here's a Maryland club that's changing their age groups now -

http://www.locomotivefc.com/lfc-to-adopt-birth-year-calendar/

While not yet formally announced by the United States Soccer Federation (“USSF”) we have been assured by sources close to the USSF and within our state association that the change is expected to take place nationwide beginning with the 2016-2017 Soccer Year. Already, there are state associations, leagues, and clubs nationwide making the change.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP - Interesting. If anyone hears something about this, formally or informally, from a local NOVA club, can you please share?

[Anonymous]

Found this from the North Carolina youth soccer message board - a poster named "Clinton" who's listed as the President of the NC youth soccer association posted this on 7/30:

Here's what I have. The U S Youth Soccer Board of Directors will meet late August for their scheduled BOD meeting. It is expected they will address the 91% support from the State Associations at the USYS AGM this past weekend for beginning in the 2016/2017 year. Assuming they were listening, this will roll out for the beginning/Fall of the 2016/2017 year. The intent will be to have all details completed by Thanksgiving 2015, allowing substantial time for the State Associations to digest and roll out for their members in time for the 2016/2017 year. As already stated in this forum, NCYSA, with its members, will have to evaluate the whole slot issue as well as other issues. There's no way to speculate at this time how that will be done. Need the details first. Can only speculate about how difficult it could be to iron out at the state level. It's certainly my hope that we will be able to put a plan together that will be as painless as possible. As more is shared with us, we will share with you.

Earlier "Clinton" posted this:

NCYSA will not be voting on anything. This is a Federation Mandate. All Federation Members will be required to go birth year. USSF Hoping it will be in place for 2016 but will be Mandatory in 2017. The USYS AGM was this past weekend and 91% of all state associations support making it mandatory for 2016. Hard to make it work if some do it and some do not.

I would expect the whole u13, u14, u15 etc structure to go away. Will only be designated by calendar year. Tryouts will still be in May. Fall Season and Spring Season will make up the year of play and State cup in the spring. There will not be a phase in process. All calendar years at one time. That's the latest. Always subject to change. As we learn more, we'll get the information out.

http://www.nc-soccer.net/forum/viewthread.php?tid=36991&page=2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be a big change in terms of having to pull apart current teams, but once tryouts are done everything will go back to normal. We will stop call teams "u whatever" and start with the birth year (e.g. 2005s) It might be a pain for college coaches who need to recruit based on graduation date, but they will get over it.

I can't wait. It will equalize some of the wrong 'political' picks.

Goodness gracious, you folks are so bitter. It will be unfortunate for my kid, who has a late December birthday. But oh well; it's just kids' soccer.

You are way too level-headed to be on this board

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any opinions on the new regime at VYS since Eddie Lima left? Better? Worse?

Different. I think Eddie was good and so is this guy.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone else surprised that Reston and Great Falls are fielding so many U9 boys teams this year? They typically have 2-3 teams per age group. This year, Reston has four and Great Falls has FIVE.

PAC struggled to fill out a second U9 team but managed to get that one plus a new second team at U10 and a couple of third teams in older groups.

Is this a growth in demand, or are some other clubs getting more selective? I know VYS did five teams one year but decided they couldn't do that for future age groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else surprised that Reston and Great Falls are fielding so many U9 boys teams this year? They typically have 2-3 teams per age group. This year, Reston has four and Great Falls has FIVE.

PAC struggled to fill out a second U9 team but managed to get that one plus a new second team at U10 and a couple of third teams in older groups.

Is this a growth in demand, or are some other clubs getting more selective? I know VYS did five teams one year but decided they couldn't do that for future age groups.

PAC managed to get a third U10 boys team and they may be getting a second U10 girls team. Quite a few of them were targeted recruits from McLean's Rec/All-Stars, with several former coaches' kids on the roster. The McLean Rec league may be hurting this Fall due to a lack of returning coaches. I think the rec coaches are tired of getting limited club support, last pick of fields, and team parents who don't help, with no option to quit coaching because the club pressures them to keep going. In McLean, the families can afford to be on a bad travel team but one that gets them more field priority and solid coaching even if they aren't playing in a top league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else surprised that Reston and Great Falls are fielding so many U9 boys teams this year? They typically have 2-3 teams per age group. This year, Reston has four and Great Falls has FIVE.

PAC struggled to fill out a second U9 team but managed to get that one plus a new second team at U10 and a couple of third teams in older groups.

Is this a growth in demand, or are some other clubs getting more selective? I know VYS did five teams one year but decided they couldn't do that for future age groups.

Arlington has SIX teams at the U-9 level.

I think this is absolutely ridiculous and just about $.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else surprised that Reston and Great Falls are fielding so many U9 boys teams this year? They typically have 2-3 teams per age group. This year, Reston has four and Great Falls has FIVE.

PAC struggled to fill out a second U9 team but managed to get that one plus a new second team at U10 and a couple of third teams in older groups.

Is this a growth in demand, or are some other clubs getting more selective? I know VYS did five teams one year but decided they couldn't do that for future age groups.

Arlington has SIX teams at the U-9 level.

I think this is absolutely ridiculous and just about $.

If a kid is at the bottom team of 6 there's no moving up from there. Go to a smaller club.