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runrmom wrote:To ECNLDD: this is why people don’t want to play ECNL. The parent arrogance is really astounding.
Each responder has provided answers that you have not accepted. The common theme: YOU NEED to do some WORK in contacting the clubs and scheduling trainings for your daughter. Most parents at this point in the year do not know what next season's roster looks like or if there are open spots. Generally one can assume that there are 1-2 spots available. If your daughter is that really special player that you think she is, she will be offered a spot. We don't know your kid nor do we know what team she might qualify for (Top, second, or lower). Every parent thinks their kid is the next great fill_in_blank. The reality is often different than our parental assessments.
It will take you 10-15 minutes and a couple emails to reach out to the respective coaches. I went through this when my daughter trained with / tried out for two new clubs this spring prior to their official tryouts. The process wasn't difficult at all. It took 10 minutes of my time to figure out who to contact and then craft emails. But if you want to continue to wait for the exact info you want, rather than what has been provided, carry on....
This summer, find a good training group for your player. As a previous poster mentioned, NexStar does well with boys and girls. The better trainers in the area generally have relationships with the local clubs and will help steer you to them.
ECNLDD wrote:runrmom wrote:Ok, this is all quite general but the question was actually really specific. Is anyone able to name any clubs that are open to tryouts? Clubs that are done as far as I know: Bethesda. Potomac. PPA.
Am I missing any top clubs or top teams on large club that are still open in the MontCo area?
Oh ok, now I understand your question. DC Soccer club is still holding "tryouts" they have an open spot. I told the coach you would be coming to their training, ehh tryouts, tomorrow at 6:30pm field 5.
ECNLDD wrote:runrmom wrote:In normal season yes, but right now I think the timing is bad. The season is over, summer is starting, I don’t know any teams holding practices over the summer. Also this assumes that I know the coaches to reach out to, which I don’t; hence the post.
Season is not over if they are a really good 2010 team. At least 4 of those 2010 teams are going to SD, so they are practicing. It's not hard to figure out who the coach is, may take about 15 minutes of your time. Most clubs also do Super Y in the summer, so that is another option for you.
Agreed. May take some effort on your part, but most clubs have 23-24 coaches' contact information online. Also, many clubs are conducting supplemental tryouts now.
soKarmami wrote:We have decided to join a new team for the fall season for various reason. When should I let my current team know? I was thinking of emailing them after our last game (June 11) or should I tell them before? They are requesting deposit for next year by May 31. I am not going to submit a deposit, so should I explain before or wait until they contact me? I just don't want the last few games left of the season to be awkward? Am I overthinking this? Why do I feel so guilty about it?
Unless you feel there will some push back from the coach/club (less playing time, mistreatment of your player, etc), probably better to do it sooner than later. Like shortly after registering with the new team. Just remember the #1 rule of breakups - do it in a public place
Sorry to hear about this situation. They should have limited the number of players for the team. At U8-U9, players should play at least half the game, to encourage enjoyment and camaraderie. Who cares about wins and losses at that age (I know, I know...) ? It should be 100% about player development. If a kid gets 5-10 mins of playing time, he/she isn't developing. Starting at U12-13, the playing time disparity is real but it is part of the program.
The club happily cashed your check but is not delivering on what they should be providing. Find another club that believes in youth player development and will appropriately roster their travel teams.
The club happily cashed your check but is not delivering on what they should be providing. Find another club that believes in youth player development and will appropriately roster their travel teams.
dohickey1234 wrote:akindc wrote:The simple answer... yes, this is the norm, especially in the bigger clubs.
Thank you. What if it’s a small/newer club? In bigger clubs, there seems to be more stability and resources, so even if it’s the norm, it seems like there is some consistency or at least other coaches. This is a small club so I fear it could be a frustrating.
Also keep in mind that for most, coaching at the club level is a part-time job. So, to attract and retain good coaches, clubs have coaches work with least 2 teams to ensure it is worth their time & effort. With this in mind, many travel directors attempt to schedule game so that there aren't conflicts. Also, many tournaments schedule games to assist in limiting conflicts if coaches work with more than 1 team.
With 6 years on the travel level, my daughter's coaches have always had at least 2 teams.
I can't imagine a smaller club could retain (good) coaches if they only had 1 team.
Agree with the above responses. ECNL play is a HUGE step from where your daughter may play this year and will not occur in a year. Bethesda's girls' program had major turnover last year and (from what I hear) even more attrition this year (except for the '06 girls). My daughter joined another ENCL club because she needed a more positive environment and structure. Some of their ENCL and RL teams are losing 8-10 players because the culture has become unhealthy. Watch one of their ENCL games (coached by their ECNL director) and you will understand. If a team rebuilds every year, how can they be competitive? Bethesda doesn't seem to care as their model is built around bringing in outside players to "develop" teams; advancement within the club rarely happens and their funnel of new players is full.
I wish your daughter the best, but she will need practice, plenty of outside training, and perhaps a growth spurt to compete at higher levels.
I would go with the PSA offer.
I wish your daughter the best, but she will need practice, plenty of outside training, and perhaps a growth spurt to compete at higher levels.
I would go with the PSA offer.
Unfortunately, this is another example of adults who can't handle business appropriately (and play nicely) adversely affecting our youth. The club has not been competitive since joining GA, except for the current U19 team. From what I've heard, the Alexandria "merger" hasn't been the answer and next year they are joining the USYS National League.
Sucks for the players and their families. Id sessions and tryouts will be busy this spring.
Sucks for the players and their families. Id sessions and tryouts will be busy this spring.
SoccerCzar wrote:Only one type of cleats...Firm Ground. You don't need anything special for turf. Use your grass cleats on turf fields.
Agreed. For outdoor play, standard, firm ground cleat are the only type needed.
Working as a ref is quite challenging, especially when dealing with parents who "know" the rules of the game. Teams should have parents that routinely debate calls work at least one pre-season/intra-club scrimmage; they will be humbled quickly.
I recall working a game when my daughter was U11/12. I put in about 4 miles that day; I needed to be "right there" to make the call. Fortunately, both sides of parents were very understanding and kind.
I recall working a game when my daughter was U11/12. I put in about 4 miles that day; I needed to be "right there" to make the call. Fortunately, both sides of parents were very understanding and kind.
[quote=Amazon22][quote=anonimouswon]This is interesting that no numbers were used. Just don't know how they would track who a player is? Are tryouts a mandatory process for clubs to conduct and they just do it cause they have to? Maybe they already know who they want from prior ID sessions?[/quote]
Guess they sent the invites out to players who showed up for two tryouts. We were only able to do 1 and were supposed to do the second one today but couldnt due to the rain.[/quote]
Emails and texts were sent to registrants about the cancellation today because of weather. In that same communication, it stated "if you would like to attend one of the upcoming training days, reach out to the club". If your child impressed the coaches, one day of a tryout was all that was needed.
Personally, I would rather my kid attend a normal training environment than a tryout with a large number of guests.
Guess they sent the invites out to players who showed up for two tryouts. We were only able to do 1 and were supposed to do the second one today but couldnt due to the rain.[/quote]
Emails and texts were sent to registrants about the cancellation today because of weather. In that same communication, it stated "if you would like to attend one of the upcoming training days, reach out to the club". If your child impressed the coaches, one day of a tryout was all that was needed.
Personally, I would rather my kid attend a normal training environment than a tryout with a large number of guests.
This change is Metro trying to save itself from itself. Over the years, they have partnered with Potomac, DCSC, Herndon, Great Falls Reston and VA Revolution, but the teams have not been competitive. A sample of records thus far, (W-L-T):
U13: 5-6-3
U14: 1-9-4
U15: 4-9-1
U16: 0-14
U17: 0-13-1
No player gets excited about playing, knowing they will lose. There will definitely be changes with the teams, with the better players trying out for McLean, Loudoun, FCV, Bethesda, etc., but unfortunately Alexandria girls won't magically allow them to compete. The teams will continue to be at best below average.
U13: 5-6-3
U14: 1-9-4
U15: 4-9-1
U16: 0-14
U17: 0-13-1
No player gets excited about playing, knowing they will lose. There will definitely be changes with the teams, with the better players trying out for McLean, Loudoun, FCV, Bethesda, etc., but unfortunately Alexandria girls won't magically allow them to compete. The teams will continue to be at best below average.