Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 14:45     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:We have been hearing really good things about Coach Stevie at Valor (U11 Girls and Boys) who joined this year after being at GFR. He has a really good track record and runts the Pre ECNL age group for boys and girls, so lots of influence on the direction of the program.


Time will tell with Valor. That 2013G team was an embarrassment last year.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 14:24     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Small clubs that only do ball work and in-house scrimmages, and lots of Futsal. So not a big club which defies what you are probably looking for cause wins will not be part of the equation early on. Be different, get developed.


Does this exist in our area? It would be good to hear a couple of examples.


This is what we’re looking for as well for our U10 daughter.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 13:24     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:Small clubs that only do ball work and in-house scrimmages, and lots of Futsal. So not a big club which defies what you are probably looking for cause wins will not be part of the equation early on. Be different, get developed.


Does this exist in our area? It would be good to hear a couple of examples.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 13:22     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:why don't you try out at Arlington or Loudon, have fun


What do you like about those teams? How is the coaches?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 12:31     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any recs or advice on good Pre-ECNL girls teams in the NOVA area? Our daughter is a top team player and we're looking for a team with solid coaching that can nurture and help her take it to the next level (whether that be ECNL, ECNL-RL or GA). She's shy and quiet but very talented (I know our opinion is biased ), so we want a coach who still recognizes that and not just push players to the side simply because they play some sort of weird favoritism. I find that sometimes more importantly than the coach is that the other players also be strong and committed to the the program. Being a good player on a mediocre team just to shine is not helpful. I know that is a lot to absorb but any thoughts or information about the various programs in the nova area is helpful.


Are you looking for a new team now? It’s September. Rosters are set.


Yes, the rosters are set, but nothing is ever written in stone especially if your DD is at Pre-ECNL age (U11 or U12). Assuming you are on a team now, they do not own you or your daughter. You are always free to explore other teams and options. As others have said, you should start emailing coaches of teams you are interested in and see if there is opportunity and interest on their part. 99 times out of 100 they will ALWAYS be interested especially if your DD is on a top team as you stated. Good luck and don't let bad coaching and inexplicable favoritism hold your child hostage to a inferior program/coach.


I agree with what everyone here is saying about talking to other coaches. That should be a good indication of the kind of person leading the team and their philosophy. It's important that the coach is engaged with you the parent as well as your child. Many times coaches not only show favoritism towards players but also to their favorite parents as well. Does the coach talk to everyone or just a select few? If they can't do the simple things like say "hello", "hi", or tell you a little something about your kid week to week, then that should clue you in. Coaches should try their best to click with all players and parents. We all pay the same amount of money after all.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 12:18     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
We have been hearing really good things about Coach Stevie at Valor (U11 Girls and Boys) who joined this year after being at GFR. He has a really good track record and runts the Pre ECNL age group for boys and girls, so lots of influence on the direction of the program.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 12:07     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any recs or advice on good Pre-ECNL girls teams in the NOVA area? Our daughter is a top team player and we're looking for a team with solid coaching that can nurture and help her take it to the next level (whether that be ECNL, ECNL-RL or GA). She's shy and quiet but very talented (I know our opinion is biased ), so we want a coach who still recognizes that and not just push players to the side simply because they play some sort of weird favoritism. I find that sometimes more importantly than the coach is that the other players also be strong and committed to the the program. Being a good player on a mediocre team just to shine is not helpful. I know that is a lot to absorb but any thoughts or information about the various programs in the nova area is helpful.


Are you looking for a new team now? It’s September. Rosters are set.


Yes, the rosters are set, but nothing is ever written in stone especially if your DD is at Pre-ECNL age (U11 or U12). Assuming you are on a team now, they do not own you or your daughter. You are always free to explore other teams and options. As others have said, you should start emailing coaches of teams you are interested in and see if there is opportunity and interest on their part. 99 times out of 100 they will ALWAYS be interested especially if your DD is on a top team as you stated. Good luck and don't let bad coaching and inexplicable favoritism hold your child hostage to a inferior program/coach.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 11:42     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Small clubs that only do ball work and in-house scrimmages, and lots of Futsal. So not a big club which defies what you are probably looking for cause wins will not be part of the equation early on. Be different, get developed.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 11:35     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any recs or advice on good Pre-ECNL girls teams in the NOVA area? Our daughter is a top team player and we're looking for a team with solid coaching that can nurture and help her take it to the next level (whether that be ECNL, ECNL-RL or GA). She's shy and quiet but very talented (I know our opinion is biased ), so we want a coach who still recognizes that and not just push players to the side simply because they play some sort of weird favoritism. I find that sometimes more importantly than the coach is that the other players also be strong and committed to the the program. Being a good player on a mediocre team just to shine is not helpful. I know that is a lot to absorb but any thoughts or information about the various programs in the nova area is helpful.


Interested in hearing about the best developmental coaches at the U11 level as well.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 11:30     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
We were in this situation a few years ago with a similarly shy kid. What worked for us was to spend the late fall and winter emailing top team coaches or TDs and asking if my daughter could come check out a couple practices. It took some courage from my kid but it also helped her think about what she wanted in a team and coach while putting her on those clubs radars. She ended up with a few opportunities in the next tryout season that were a significant step up and has been happy since
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 11:26     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone here will say, “Our coach is amazing, come to our pre-ECNL team and take my kid’s spot.” I’m on a pre-ga team and it’s hard to get into. There is a line of kids on the 2nd team that are all trying to get on the team when the time comes.

Coaches do play favorites, some coaches prefer certain traits over equal playing/ starting time. No way to get around that. I think the only advice is to just come out to a practice at a pre-ECNL club. E-mail the coaching staff and get the time/ location of practice and come out. They usually will let you know if they would like to invite you back or not.

Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 10:39     Subject: Re:Pre ECNL Girls Teams
I’m curious about this as well. We are with a team that is pretty bad and are considering leaving after the fall season.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 10:16     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any recs or advice on good Pre-ECNL girls teams in the NOVA area? Our daughter is a top team player and we're looking for a team with solid coaching that can nurture and help her take it to the next level (whether that be ECNL, ECNL-RL or GA). She's shy and quiet but very talented (I know our opinion is biased ), so we want a coach who still recognizes that and not just push players to the side simply because they play some sort of weird favoritism. I find that sometimes more importantly than the coach is that the other players also be strong and committed to the the program. Being a good player on a mediocre team just to shine is not helpful. I know that is a lot to absorb but any thoughts or information about the various programs in the nova area is helpful.


Are you looking for a new team now? It’s September. Rosters are set.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 10:07     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
why don't you try out at Arlington or Loudon, have fun
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 09:58     Subject: Pre ECNL Girls Teams
Anyone have any recs or advice on good Pre-ECNL girls teams in the NOVA area? Our daughter is a top team player and we're looking for a team with solid coaching that can nurture and help her take it to the next level (whether that be ECNL, ECNL-RL or GA). She's shy and quiet but very talented (I know our opinion is biased ), so we want a coach who still recognizes that and not just push players to the side simply because they play some sort of weird favoritism. I find that sometimes more importantly than the coach is that the other players also be strong and committed to the the program. Being a good player on a mediocre team just to shine is not helpful. I know that is a lot to absorb but any thoughts or information about the various programs in the nova area is helpful.