Anonymous wrote:Can’t complain about climate change and be upset a pointless soccer trip doesn’t happen anymore

Take your off topic rant to another forum. Wanker.

Yes the former Joga coach is still doing this and yes he has had some kids looked at. Two to three have signed. He has a good reputation. Not all but some top talent still had to pay to get to Europe to be scouted. It is happening as we speak with a player that did well in TX at the Cup. He is paying to go over to be seen.

Bottom line for original poster is go and have fun. Learn, experience a different culture and style of play.

The guy who used to run Joga here in Northern VA now runs a soccer club in the Netherlands. He still takes kids over from this area fairly regularly and plays games and tournaments against European clubs. He does get scouts attending his events, and I am aware of at least a handful that have ended up getting trials at European clubs, and I think he may have even got a kid or two actually signed to European academies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not expecting my kid to be scouted but just want to know if it is a worthwhile experience. we could add some extra days in Europe and have fun.

Every family I know who did this says it was a great experience. If your kid loves to play soccer and you have the bucks, what’s not to like about a soccer themed trip to Europe?

This. I think people are just trying to flag that your kid is not necessarily a prodigy if they get an invite. It's a money-making business. If you go into it aware of that and just want a fun experience that's not cheap, go for it.

Anonymous wrote:I have seen several camps advertise- train with our European players for camo (Dutch, italian, Spanish) and you might get selected to play in tournament in Europe. Has anyone's kid been selected and experienced the playing in the tournament part? It seems sort of scam-ish but would be a cool experience.

An older kid at our club was selected/invited to train in Europe. He went for couple of weeks, I'm sure he played a tournament there.

Scammish because you have to pay for the "invitation". $$$

Anonymous wrote:I am not expecting my kid to be scouted but just want to know if it is a worthwhile experience. we could add some extra days in Europe and have fun.

Every family I know who did this says it was a great experience. If your kid loves to play soccer and you have the bucks, what’s not to like about a soccer themed trip to Europe?

I am not expecting my kid to be scouted but just want to know if it is a worthwhile experience. we could add some extra days in Europe and have fun.

Anonymous wrote:you DO know that these clubs scout extremely poor areas in africa for raw talent... and then pay their way at 100% expenses paid. those are the kids they sign into their academy, not your soccer tourism for little Jimmy.

Yes, that is why I said you have to take it for what it is. It is soccer tourism, but there is nothing wrong with that. As long as the parents know what they are getting into. Maybe that is the disconnect for them. This happens in the US too. You pay for an experience. which I don't have a problem with as long as the experience provides value.

Anonymous wrote:Can’t complain about climate change and be upset a pointless soccer trip doesn’t happen anymore

Who is complaining about climate change?

you DO know that these clubs scout extremely poor areas in africa for raw talent... and then pay their way at 100% expenses paid. those are the kids they sign into their academy, not your soccer tourism for little Jimmy.

I know a couple of kids who went with their families to Barcelona after the camps. They said it was a good experience. They had solid soccer training and a lot of it. They actually wished there had been more down time to see the sights while they were in Spain. Yes it costs some bucks, but you have to take it for what it is. I think they just want the kids they "identify" to go to the camp to be able to at least not be totally embarrassed by the level of play and training. Fit kids with some level of technical ability is what they want.