Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 10:01     Subject: Try outs
Anonymous wrote:It is sad to watch these clubs begin to fold. I personally feel that we have way too many clubs and leagues. Should NoVA really have five clubs (Arlington, BRYC, FCV, Loudoun, McLean and VDA) playing in elite leagues?


So you want one elite team for northern Virginia? That would be horrible for the kids but great for one club. Who really cares about the club?
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 09:54     Subject: Try outs
Anonymous wrote:It is sad to watch these clubs begin to fold. I personally feel that we have way too many clubs and leagues. Should NoVA really have five clubs (Arlington, BRYC, FCV, Loudoun, McLean and VDA) playing in elite leagues?


Yes they should.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 09:54     Subject: Try outs
Anonymous wrote:It is sad to watch these clubs begin to fold. I personally feel that we have way too many clubs and leagues. Should NoVA really have five clubs (Arlington, BRYC, FCV, Loudoun, McLean and VDA) playing in elite leagues?


To be honest, yes (population, demand). Happens all the time in most industries; Mom and Pops initiate it and the bigger ones swallow. Banks, media companies, tech, communications, etc. Soccer is, and will continue, to grow given the societal demand. Now, some of the 'elite' won't always stay elite, either. But the days of all sorts of clubs having some success in some age groups will continue to shrink.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 09:49     Subject: Try outs
It is sad to watch these clubs begin to fold. I personally feel that we have way too many clubs and leagues. Should NoVA really have five clubs (Arlington, BRYC, FCV, Loudoun, McLean and VDA) playing in elite leagues?
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 09:04     Subject: Re:Try outs
I think if a club established a system where you only pay for what you actually get they would do really well in the current environment. Maybe they could send you a monthly bill after the fact based on how many practices/games team had. No charge for emails and zoom calls.


I'm not sure what you're talking about. We didn't get "charged" for emails or zoom calls. We continued to subsidize coaches' salaries during the pandemic, but I'm ok with that. At first I was frustrated about the refund we received, but I emailed the club and their further explanation was reasonably satisfactory. When we are not in a pandemic, we routinely have three practices per week and games, as represented. Again, I am not happy with the amount that the ED is paid, but I'm not seeing the other issues you refer to.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 08:43     Subject: Re:Try outs
Anonymous wrote:
We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.


Bring your checkbook. With their academy system, you have to keep buying supplemental training and extra programs to get any meaningful development. All in cost will get you well up to $3-$4k before you even take into account travel costs.


I didn't find that to be the case. My son did a few of the supplemental training programs, but certainly not all of them. He's made progress and moved up teams as he improved. YMMV.


OP here--thank you. We're a little worried to switch this late, but we're not hesitant (not settled on Alexandria but we are moving). A real eye-opener these past few weeks. I've been talking with other parents looking to leave (or have already left) and the rumor is that Lee-Mt. Vernon won't be playing CCL. We already moved our white teams out of CCL2 last year, and with all the missing teams/inability to compete, the fear is that CCL won't schedule us and will find a club that's not having issues. CCL might not even have to look for a filler given COVID. No word from the club, last time we heard anything was when asked "will there be a 2003 team? will there be a 2004 team?". Both were answered "we are doing what we can, every club is having issues". That's not true. DD is too old, can't wait for club to figure it out.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 08:38     Subject: Re:Try outs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.


Bring your checkbook. With their academy system, you have to keep buying supplemental training and extra programs to get any meaningful development. All in cost will get you well up to $3-$4k before you even take into account travel costs.


I didn't find that to be the case. My son did a few of the supplemental training programs, but certainly not all of them. He's made progress and moved up teams as he improved. YMMV.


I think if a club established a system where you only pay for what you actually get they would do really well in the current environment. Maybe they could send you a monthly bill after the fact based on how many practices/games team had. No charge for emails and zoom calls.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 08:38     Subject: Re:Try outs
Anonymous wrote:
We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.


Bring your checkbook. With their academy system, you have to keep buying supplemental training and extra programs to get any meaningful development. All in cost will get you well up to $3-$4k before you even take into account travel costs.


I didn't find that to be the case. My son did a few of the supplemental training programs, but certainly not all of them. He's made progress and moved up teams as he improved. YMMV.


I think if a club established that a system where you only pay for what you actually get they would do really well in the current environment. Maybe they could send you a monthly bill after the fact based on how many practices/games team had. No charge for emails and zoom calls.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 08:09     Subject: Re:Try outs
We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.


Bring your checkbook. With their academy system, you have to keep buying supplemental training and extra programs to get any meaningful development. All in cost will get you well up to $3-$4k before you even take into account travel costs.


I didn't find that to be the case. My son did a few of the supplemental training programs, but certainly not all of them. He's made progress and moved up teams as he improved. YMMV.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 08:07     Subject: Re:Try outs
We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.


Here is the info on the age groups that are looking: https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/academy/academy-tryouts/

Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 07:25     Subject: Try outs
Anonymous wrote:We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.


Bring your checkbook. With their academy system, you have to keep buying supplemental training and extra programs to get any meaningful development. All in cost will get you well up to $3-$4k before you even take into account travel costs.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 06:51     Subject: Try outs
We are desperately short (Lee-Mt. Vernon); there's 25 or so girls showing up for 06-02 age groups. I understand it's really only 06-03, but that's four age groups. I understand COVID, but we should still have two teams per age group. Every age group will be half "playing up" or half "previously white team". There's no way there is an 06 team again this year. I haven't seen the ones younger than 06s, but 07 and 08 didn't even play CCL last season.

If Alexandria is still having tryouts we're going to check them out.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 06:22     Subject: Try outs
Alexandria is having tryouts, come if you are interested. People on this board slam Alexandria, and although I strongly disagree with some of their $ decisions, my son has been happy playing there and developed a lot.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 05:44     Subject: Try outs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Most clubs are short on players, particularly in the younger age groups.


Yes this is true. Parents are rightfully concerned.


I agree. Only the covidiots are letting their kids play sports at the moment.


I don't know about other teams but at this point we are only doing 1 on 1 coach training. Our season doesn't start until September. We are just watching from afar and can make any decision depending on the numbers. I'm fine if they stay in stage 2 with practices with restrictions.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2020 05:41     Subject: Try outs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Most clubs are short on players, particularly in the younger age groups.


Yes this is true. Parents are rightfully concerned.


Big clubs have same number of teams at younger ages. Some may have more in certain age groups. Probably fewer players and perhaps teams at older ages. Might be a health concern, but given the downturn and uncertainty, there is likely an economic impact as well.


Two of my kids at a big club have only 2 subs on each of their teams. One has 13 players on a team that is transitioning to 11v11!


+1. Saw our team roster and I think it's 1 sub.