Anonymous wrote:To answer the question about favoritism -
Some coaches put 99% of their effort into their top players, and little to none into everyone else. Backups start to feel like nobodies, and feel very disenfranchised.
A smart coach plays the best players, and gives them plenty of attention, but is sure to also teach and get the other players to grow. Makes everyone feel like part of the team.
I'll let you guess which one Visi is (IMHO!).

I am sorry your DD has had that experience. I agree that would be upsetting. My DD's experience with KM has been the former of the two you describe. Knowing KM as I do, I would recommend that you have your DD talk to KM directly and calmly and tell her how she feels. You, as a parent, should not be involved though as this is high school and it should be between your DD and her coach. Help her with role playing and phrasing and then have her e-mail KM before the season starts this year and ask for a face to face meeting. I do know that KM greatly respects hard work and grit and directness. Stress this with your DD.

To answer the question about favoritism -
Some coaches put 99% of their effort into their top players, and little to none into everyone else. Backups start to feel like nobodies, and feel very disenfranchised.
A smart coach plays the best players, and gives them plenty of attention, but is sure to also teach and get the other players to grow. Makes everyone feel like part of the team.
I'll let you guess which one Visi is (IMHO!).

OP here. Wasn’t expecting DD to make varsity as a freshmen but she would want to play varsity at some point. She is good enough to start on her travel team but I am not expecting her to play in college (unless she walks on) and it sounds like the Visi starters all have college recruitment offers.

We are not from here so I never know the politics behind anything. Just trying to understand what the likely situation will be. Anecdotally, I have watched a few girls who played travel in other sports not make their respective freshmen teams and it has really thrown me for a loop.

Thank you for those helpful responses and for the info on where coaches work elsewhere.

I wouldn't worry about it until you know she's been accepted. I think if you are a Freshman who would be playing Varsity you would already have a really good idea how you stack up to those girls, you've been playing in the same clubs etc. through the years. They have a JV team though, so if she really likes the school she could still play and move up to Varsity in following years.

I have a child who loves a sport, but odds are against them making it at certain schools because of the roster size, physical requirements and overall national prestige. I'll find a school that is a better overall fit and where sports and academics align.

What club does she coach?

How does she "play favorites"? If you watch the team play she plays the best players - the girls who are committed to top college programs and have the best skills. That is how you win. How is that favoritism?

This seems like an odd post after they won the championship and before the new season starts. Do you have details to support your statement?

I would disagree with coaching. Head coach is a disorganized mess who absolutely plays favorites. Does she win...yes! But she is spread too thin with her club teams and coaching Visi.

Yeah, you just have to be good enough, that is the only criteria. The coaches are fantastic and its always a very competitive team. Few freshmen make Varsity and they do make cuts but if she is good, she will make it.

If good enough will play. There is no favoritism

Does Visi lax draw from one club only?

My daughter would love to go there and play lax but it feels like a big gamble with tryouts in the spring. She wants to play lax in HS and would rather go to another school than attend Visi and not make the team.

Thanks for your advice!