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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]GFR needs their leadership and parents to realize the type of club that they are and to stop pressing to compete with the bigger clubs. Unless GFR is capable of pulling off a merger with a club like Sterling and/or Herndon, GFR will never be able to compete with the MLSNext and ECNL-N clubs. But that is not a bad thing.

If GFR puts its time, energy and resources (like hiring good coaching, developing players at young ages, and stop pressuring teams below U14 for wins), they could create a club that players would like to play at. The GFR leadership and parents have to realize that the higher-level players will always leave around U14 or U15 for clubs with the MLSNext or ECNL-N badges. GFR can chase that dream, but I don't think it will ever come true. Plus, GFR just does not have the depth of talent at the older, high school ages to really press for those higher leagues.

So, re-brand the academy as a destination club for players who want to "learn how to play" and are "taught the right way". How many times do you see posts on this board from parents asking who good coaches are? And the responses that they get are about different individual coaches at different clubs, but never about an academy with a clear vision and teaching method for teaching soccer. If a player is taught how to play and to have a love for the game, they will always be accepted on those MLSNext or ECNL-N teams if they have the talent. But not all players have that talent, so realize that a team of players taught the right way and that play together for years, will do extremely well in ECNL-R.

Realize that if you can stop pressuring for wins, let the kids play, create an atmosphere that the kids and parents enjoy soccer, then improvement will occur and teams will do well. And for those parents and players who want to chase the dream of playing D1 soccer or playing professionally, they can get a good foundation at GFR, but GFR was just where they got their start on their soccer journey.[/quote]

Couldn't agree more.  My kid is now a U17 and we have always known GFR was *our* final destination as our kid has no desire to play in college.  It was RP that pushed the idea that GFR was a place for kids to develop into college players but that always seemed very far fetched to most of us.  We have watched players come and go over the years, and wished those who landed at ECNL clubs good luck and welcomed those who just wanted to play for a solid team.  The idea that GFR will ever compete with those higher level clubs is just silly and I agree, parents and leadership need to make that clear.  I don't see them ever merging with Sterling (different counties) or Herndon (bad relationships with them and NM) so GFR needs to just stand up for what they are and (likely) always will be and be proud of it. [/quote]

Just to add me 2 cents. I agree with both of you. Why not concentrate on making the best U7-U14 players and teams that you can? Families that GFR pulls from have the money so the clubs should be able to pay and retain coaches. Make it a destination club for people who want their kids to learn soccer. Let the other clubs and parents chase the MLS or ECNL-N badges. I bet if you did this, GFR would find people lined up to sign-up with the club. And in the long run, it will be more sustainable. [/quote]

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