Ihatedumbsoccerparents wrote:

soccermum79 wrote:

FGDaddio wrote:Yes, one of the offers is BRYC. I know they didn't do well in regular ECNL this year, but next year they will do BRAVE for ECNL. We were offered ECNL-R. It seems that ECNL-R is more competetive than NCSL, yes? Most of the area clubs who have multiple teams seem to have their C teams in NCSL 1. My son is seeking a more challenging play environment, but again we don't have any familiarity with the coaches at either club with offers. He was also offered to stay on the current team next year, but there will be a new coach for that team too, that we don't know. So no matter what it's a new coach for him.

Yes, ECNL-RL is more competitive that NCSL, but for how long? VPSL keeps adding clubs to NOVA's ECNL-RL. Looks like a lot of former CCL clubs are moving to ECNL-RL.

I agree with your assessment, ECNL-R looks like a lot like CCL. Mostly small clubs best teams against big clubs 2nd best team. To me the only point of ECNL-R is to allow VA schools to continue to play high school soccer during the spring instead of the fall like 95% of the USA 😎

soccer_dc wrote:Saw a social media post by FCV about tryouts this week, and the link went to Barca Academy's registration system https://barcaacademynv.sportngin.com/register/form/650284179 with this message:

"Please note that for the 2022-2023 season all Barça Academy teams are converting to FCV United teams"

So, Barca is still running it but under the FCV name now? Seems a little odd that there are no public announcements or the typical press release with positive spin. Anyone have more info on this worst kept secret?

FGDaddio wrote:Yes, one of the offers is BRYC. I know they didn't do well in regular ECNL this year, but next year they will do BRAVE for ECNL. We were offered ECNL-R. It seems that ECNL-R is more competetive than NCSL, yes? Most of the area clubs who have multiple teams seem to have their C teams in NCSL 1. My son is seeking a more challenging play environment, but again we don't have any familiarity with the coaches at either club with offers. He was also offered to stay on the current team next year, but there will be a new coach for that team too, that we don't know. So no matter what it's a new coach for him.

ProRel wrote:

soccermum79 wrote:

Lasso_FC_Girls wrote:

L0ud0unParent wrote:

Lasso_FC_Girls wrote:4 year old? Which ever club beats ball skills to death until they go to 9v9. I honestly don’t know what club that is though. Probably not the clubs that care about winning at early ages. Definitely not Loudoun though.

Why not Loudoun? Just curious.

At that young of an age, a smaller atmosphere is usually better so the coach/trainer interact more with the player. My DD is now 13, plays in ECNL and is excelling. She started in our area's town club at ages 4 to 9. Was trained in ball skills only till age 7 and then the coach added in some IQ work through age 9. Game results were ignored. While that can be painful for a parent, it was certainly the best approach looking back now. I should also say the only reason to move your player to a larger and more competitive is if they are excelling so much that they are not being challenged by those around them.

Worry less about the club at early ages and more about the coach/trainer. Most will be parents at the young ages anyway. If you think Loudoun will train heavily on skills at a young age, than Loudoun is fine, however, Loudoun is not known for a technical style of play at later ages. At U9 though U13, it's more like put our fastest and strongest players up top, kick it long and hope the forwards get there.

THIS is 1000% true! The parent volunteer coaches are fine for U-Little. U8 Academy is excellent, U9 depends on the coach and what skills they reinforce, after that its a draw depending on your coach. Would not recommend Loudoun for any technical or skilled player, ECNL or not. There are much better clubs around, even smaller ones, who have excellent conditioning and training programs for U9 and older.

Good luck!

OP: obviously you should shop around to find the best fit for your child, but the narrative here that Loudoun does not produce "technical or skilled players" is curious, at best. There is a reason that Loudoun has ECNL and that their 3rd or 4th teams compete against the top teams from "much better clubs."

socacoach88 wrote:I am a phd student in human and sports performance and work with a lot of soccer players at my gym..I would suggest taking the summer off from playing soccer and focus on building physical qualities of the game this will for sure reduce the likely hood of injuries as long as you work with a professional that understand how to properly program for an athlete age.

Lasso_FC_Girls wrote:

L0ud0unParent wrote:

Lasso_FC_Girls wrote:4 year old? Which ever club beats ball skills to death until they go to 9v9. I honestly don’t know what club that is though. Probably not the clubs that care about winning at early ages. Definitely not Loudoun though.

Why not Loudoun? Just curious.

At that young of an age, a smaller atmosphere is usually better so the coach/trainer interact more with the player. My DD is now 13, plays in ECNL and is excelling. She started in our area's town club at ages 4 to 9. Was trained in ball skills only till age 7 and then the coach added in some IQ work through age 9. Game results were ignored. While that can be painful for a parent, it was certainly the best approach looking back now. I should also say the only reason to move your player to a larger and more competitive is if they are excelling so much that they are not being challenged by those around them.

Worry less about the club at early ages and more about the coach/trainer. Most will be parents at the young ages anyway. If you think Loudoun will train heavily on skills at a young age, than Loudoun is fine, however, Loudoun is not known for a technical style of play at later ages. At U9 though U13, it's more like put our fastest and strongest players up top, kick it long and hope the forwards get there.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been through the entire process and have a scholarship athlete.

1. You are the biggest advocate for your kid. Your 15-17 year old player has no real world experience. Understand your kids talent level and have real conversations with them to identify the approopraite program where they may want to go to school and play. Only YOU and your KID can answer that question.

2. ECNL is the top league for girls. What it shows the college is that you're kid is able to compete at a level that acts as the main player pool for D1 players. It allows colleges to properly evaluate you player.

3. However, ECNL will not get your kid recruited. Your kid will get themselves recruited by contacting the appropriate school and performing well info front of them when the spotlight is on.

4. The college coach will contact your club coach before the reach out you. If your coach doesn't vouch for your kid (behavior issues, etc.) it's over.

In summary - most important thing to do is have an HONEST conversation based on Academic and Athletic talent and then start emailing the coaches. Get on their radar staring 8th and 9th grade.



3.

Thank you! that is helpful. Even in the 8th grade? Are the ID camps at targeted schools worth it?

I ever felt that random ID camps got my kid on anyones radar. - it may be fun to attend for experience - but to get recruited, your player needs to be evaluated multiple times to show their true level.

The only ID camps I thought were meaningful where the ones where the college coaches reached out to our club coach and showed interest. That meant that they saw my kid at a showcase (or highlight video) and liked what they saw. I then used the ID camp as a second opportunity to be seen and evaluated.

Her 8th grade year - I put together a highlight video and emailed it to every college we identified based on her academic and athletic talent level.
Her 9th grade year - I emailed them a new highlight video and showcase schedule
Her 10th grade year - I did the same thing and attend the ID camps of schools interested
Her 11th grade year - Committed

We emailed and showed interest to over 40 schools. We made at least 4 highlight videos

Cast a big net. But first and foremost - Have an HONEST discussion and identify the schools! It has to start there. Then stay in constant contact with updates. You want them to know your kids name.

Good stuff! I''l be using this as a blueprint!

This is not a blueprint, it's very helpful but 100% POV of a parent vs. player. The Juxtaposition between 'her' vs. I is cringy.

Adults using the word "Gringy" is "Gringy" - log off your TicTok account and rejoin the rest of us.

Parents - take a very active role behind the scenes to assist in getting your kid recruited. Do not rely on anyone else.

So at what point in the process did your kid actually do herself? What did she actually learn about composing and sending emails and maintaining communication with coaches?

Will you do this for her jobs too?

Glad you asked -

Here is what I did to assist my teenager in the process:

1. I taught her about colleges and the many different options available
2. I learned about her interest and life desires
4. I helped build a list of colleges
5. I helped gather a list of emails
6 I helped draft an introductory letter
7. I helped make the highlight video
8. I taught her about debt
9. I paid The club fees
10. I drove her to practices and games
11. I made showcases the family vacations.

Here is What she did -

1. Play soccer since the age of 6
2. Train 4 times a week since the age of 9
3. Play ten months out of the year since 13
4. Batltle and overcome injuries and stress
5. Miss out on activities
6. Balance a school load with a high GPA
7. Perform in front of 60 coaches at showcases
8. Battle kids who were bigger,faster, stronger
9. Deal with being cut from a top team at a young age
10. Spark college interest
11. Have hour long conversations with college coaches in her room.
12. Deal with a recruiter staring at her knowing she's not playing well.
13. Get lectured by her coach
14. Weigh offers that could impact the next 60 years of her life.
15. Make a choice and commit

My kid got herself recruited - I just helped in the facilitation.

Parents - there is nothing wrong with helping your kids - just don't get in the way and try to take over. Coaches are recruting the player - not you - if you send off bad vibes you can hurt your kids chances.

Who wrote the emails and made the videos?

We did - it's called teamwork. You have a lot to learn - but I'm sure you got it all figured out

You can see the confusion here can't you?:

Her 8th grade year - I put together a highlight video and emailed it to every college we identified based on her academic and athletic talent level.
Her 9th grade year - I emailed them a new highlight video and showcase schedule
Her 10th grade year - I did the same thing and attend the ID camps of schools interested
Her 11th grade year - Committed

Perhaps you misunderstood the fact that I'm not trying to convince you - do what you want - how you want - when you want - with whomever you want. That's your businesss - not mine.

I will end with this - everyone is helped by someone at some point - to include you. Parents must take an active role in recruting.

The recruting process is like a job search - identify the companies - prepare and submit the resume - wait be contacted

The applicant then needs to walk in on their own and showcase at the interview.

But it all starts with adults showing them how to get their foot in the door.

This isn't the 80s - a random college degree is no longer a ticket to upward mobility - helping your kid obtain a marketable degree with little to no debt is important so they can achieve finacial independence and stability. Sometimes soccer is a tool to help them achieve that goal.

There is a lot of money out there. Play your cards right and maybe you can grab a big chuck of your financial responsibility. Maybe you can take those savings and apply it to grad school.

Or maybe you will pay 120,000 out of pocket for an undergraduate degree and then another 50,000 for a masters and pay 300 a month for the next 20 years.

I've worked with many young adults in massive debt who all wish they received better guidance.

College must be an asset and not a liability.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

NVA-Soccer wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CCL and ECNL Regional League will be merging for the Fall 2022 season. Who will get in? Who will be left out is still up in the air. Sounds like everyone is leaving VYSA and heading toward US Club soccer in Virginia. NPL will be making its way back to Virginia in some capacity. 16-19 age groups will have a unique promotion and relegation platform. What clubs will be merging together next? This might be the only way to get into the RL unless you know someone as it’s never about your performance on the field. We all know that certain clubs won’t deserve the ECNL status but it’s only a matter of time until we have another new league. MLS Next, DPL, or the Im pissed off league.

Merger? Wouldn't it really just go: CCL folds, ECNL absorbs clubs?

Seems like ECNL has been picking off CCL clubs to join the ECNL RL one by one.

Which clubs have gone so far?