My thought would be to sign up for both (if you can spare an extra couple of hundred bucks for challenge) and take advantage of what each has to offer - in VRSC’s case, it will be more training and very likely a better focus on development and with Challenge it will be better in terms of the games, being part of a team, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd go watch an academy practice for your age group at VRSC. You'll notice a big difference right away.

OP here, thank you. I did this today. We'll be doing VRSC.

I think you will be pleased with your decision!!

Anonymous wrote:I'd go watch an academy practice for your age group at VRSC. You'll notice a big difference right away.

OP here, thank you. I did this today. We'll be doing VRSC.

Challenge = Rec soccer, with a volunteer coach.

Revolution Academy = Rec soccer, with a professional coach.

Pick the place you want to play for. If you want to get into Loudoun Travel from Challenge, make sure you do All Star's.

I have had 2 very different experiences with Loudoun challenge. When my daughter joined we got a coach who knew how to run practices and help the girls improve. My son joined this year - many of the boys on his team should not be in challenge, and the coach doesn’t really know what to do to help them move forward.

In the end, it’s really just rec soccer with a volunteer coach and kids who have played a few years.

I'd go watch an academy practice for your age group at VRSC. You'll notice a big difference right away.

If you're ok with your kid learning from a volunteer parent who may not have any soccer experience, choose Loudoun; otherwise, take the opportunity to learn from semi-pro soccer players or licensed coaches at VRSC. The smaller program can focus more on development rather than trying to win every week to satisfy parents.

My son played Loudoun Challenge and yes he played a wide pool of players but it was still just a dad volunteer coach so no real direct training.

Revolution academy has actual coaches with licenses coaching the kids. Also some of the academy coaches are some of their pro players. The kids are getting real skills training and being prepared to move up to their travel teams.

Their games are on Saturdays and yes they are against the other academy teams but their numbers are growing so there is a larger pool of players each season. If my child was in that age group now I would totally go with Revolution academy.

Anonymous wrote:If your kid (U11) has experience but doesn't get picked up to play travel, would you put them in Loudoun Challenge or Revolution Academy?

On one hand, Revolution rec has coaches. On the other Loudoun Challenge is supposed to be experienced kids.

I don't really want to roll the dice on volunteer coaches. I'm sure there are lovely volunteer coaches but that isn't guaranteed. But I just haven't heard anyone's experience with Revolution's rec program.

Which would help better prepare for travel while being fun?

100% Loudoun. Their player pool is just so large. It’ll be a challenging and new experience each week.

I’m sure revolution is fine but you’ll be playing against the same kids every week. It’s just too small.

If your kid (U11) has experience but doesn't get picked up to play travel, would you put them in Loudoun Challenge or Revolution Academy?

On one hand, Revolution rec has coaches. On the other Loudoun Challenge is supposed to be experienced kids.

I don't really want to roll the dice on volunteer coaches. I'm sure there are lovely volunteer coaches but that isn't guaranteed. But I just haven't heard anyone's experience with Revolution's rec program.

Which would help better prepare for travel while being fun?