Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"for years VLC was the only legitimate team this side of the river" - I guess by definition ML is not "legitimate"? (cue Cabell hate)

The trolling on this site is ponderous. ML is a legitimate program but its not really on this side of the river - it attracts kids from the entire DMV and has at least half of its practices at Landon (in Md.) VLC for years was the only real option for quality kids with parents who didn't want to spend hours in the car every week. Again - my only point is that VLC has to get its act together or face relegation to B club status.

I think what you are really getting at is that there aren't enough players for all the clubs to field teams - at least in NOVA. There are lots of options for kids and there are plenty of pros and cons to all these clubs. Lastly, good players can be found in all these programs. Yes, more will be in the ML, NL, etc. level and it drops off from there. The chances your kid is that one stud player that everyone wants is extremely small so the goal is to have your kid play (regardless of the level of program) and sitting on the sideline is usually not a good idea.

Anonymous wrote:"for years VLC was the only legitimate team this side of the river" - I guess by definition ML is not "legitimate"? (cue Cabell hate)

The trolling on this site is ponderous. ML is a legitimate program but its not really on this side of the river - it attracts kids from the entire DMV and has at least half of its practices at Landon (in Md.) VLC for years was the only real option for quality kids with parents who didn't want to spend hours in the car every week. Again - my only point is that VLC has to get its act together or face relegation to B club status.

"for years VLC was the only legitimate team this side of the river" - I guess by definition ML is not "legitimate"? (cue Cabell hate)

Anonymous wrote:There will be continuous churn in the younger teams as kids figure out if they are good enough to have a starting spot. By 8th or 9th grade it’s clear who the starters are. Travel teams play to win. Parents moving their kids to the up and coming “hot team” may regret that decision. Unless you are the best player at that position you will be standing on the sideline most of the time. The following season the churn will start again as kids look for more PT. You can only switch clubs so many times before you start looking desperate.

Thank you Captain Obvious!

There will be continuous churn in the younger teams as kids figure out if they are good enough to have a starting spot. By 8th or 9th grade it’s clear who the starters are. Travel teams play to win. Parents moving their kids to the up and coming “hot team” may regret that decision. Unless you are the best player at that position you will be standing on the sideline most of the time. The following season the churn will start again as kids look for more PT. You can only switch clubs so many times before you start looking desperate.

Anonymous wrote:Look what I’m saying isn’t conjecture- I’m not dismissing available evidence. The dynamic I am describing is happening right now. The VLC 2027 team just folded. One of the 2029 teams folded. The 2028 tryouts attracted very few new players and none of note. I don’t see any reason why this dynamic won’t continue without a serious course correction. What is your explanation for what is happening with VLC’s youth teams?

Bottom line - for years VLC was the only legitimate team this side of the river but now Top Caliber is getting kids going to Madison and oakton and true is getting kids going to Yorktown. Hardlax is going to be a real draw for the boys further out. VLC still has the brand name but that advantage will not last much longer with out some changes

For the even younger teams below 2029, the dynamic is even more interesting. True isn't attracting talent, lots of Top Caliber is leaving for the new St James program, and Hammers is growing to some extent. VLC is doing ok but alot of former Cavs players that don't really belong there.

I meant hammers not hardlax

Look what I’m saying isn’t conjecture- I’m not dismissing available evidence. The dynamic I am describing is happening right now. The VLC 2027 team just folded. One of the 2029 teams folded. The 2028 tryouts attracted very few new players and none of note. I don’t see any reason why this dynamic won’t continue without a serious course correction. What is your explanation for what is happening with VLC’s youth teams?

I’ve been around Virginia lacrosse for 20 years and I am telling you there are not hundreds of high quality lax players in NOVA. Why would the few quality players sign up for brand new teams? My experience is that they don’t - they go to established teams with good records. Instead of insults and Adam Sandler quotes, why don’t you tell me your explanation for the trouble with VLC’s youth teams?

Bottom line - for years VLC was the only legitimate team this side of the river but now Top Caliber is getting kids going to Madison and oakton and true is getting kids going to Yorktown. Hardlax is going to be a real draw for the boys further out. VLC still has the brand name but that advantage will not last much longer with out some changes

Anonymous wrote:
1. I’m clearly saying that Madlax and next level are putting out much higher quality teams than VLC. Check the rankings. - Wow

2. I am not interested in what was the case was historically I’m interested in what the reality is now. - Usually past performance is a good tool for predicting future success

3. My post is primarily a warning and prediction - without major changes to the organization and the way they Recruit and retain players VLC will be reduced to a third tier program comparable to top caliber.

- Recruit? If you’re a public school kid in VA or even private school in VA that wants to play in college, you play for VLC. Period end of story. How many MadLax or even NL or DCX kids that play in college are from VA. It’s gotta be less then 10%.

The fact that you said ‘rankings’ tells all us reading what we need to know about how ‘informed’ you (believe) are.

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award your no points, and may god have mercy on your soul

1. I’m clearly saying that Madlax and next level are putting out much higher quality teams than VLC. Check the rankings.

2. I am not interested in what was the case was historically I’m interested in what the reality is now.

3. My post is primarily a warning and prediction - without major changes to the organization and the way they Recruit and retain players VLC will be reduced to a third tier program comparable to top caliber.

Anonymous wrote:VLC has a couple of top coaches and tends to get the Kids who could make a NL or ML team but wouldn’t see much playing time. The real problem has always been the organization and communication with parents and kids is not great and considerably worse since the merger. IMHO if VLC doesn’t get its act together right quick DCE and True Va will reduce VLC to a third rate program.

On the 27 team a core group of boys went to DCE and that caused a critical number of the other boys to jump on other teams. This could have been avoided if the club had told the families that they were committed to improving the team with better coaching, more practices and more skill development.

NOVA does not have enough high quality lax players to feild two or three teams that would be competitive at the top tournaments. My prediction is that NOVA based clubs will occupy the lower levels for the foreseeable future

Are you saying that VLC kids, regardless of class and/or location, are undoubtedly second tier to ML or NL?

I hope you realize that historically people chose VLC bc it’s a quality program and their coaches/leadership were class acts that didn’t have rap sheets like DCX or ML leaders. From what I’m reading, it appears the younger generations see things differently or have different goals/motivations. I’d love to be told I’m wrong.

Another 2023 commit on social media. 15 total for THIS season. This sort of makes the PP sound incorrect.

VLC has a couple of top coaches and tends to get the Kids who could make a NL or ML team but wouldn’t see much playing time. The real problem has always been the organization and communication with parents and kids is not great and considerably worse since the merger. IMHO if VLC doesn’t get its act together right quick DCE and True Va will reduce VLC to a third rate program.

On the 27 team a core group of boys went to DCE and that caused a critical number of the other boys to jump on other teams. This could have been avoided if the club had told the families that they were committed to improving the team with better coaching, more practices and more skill development.

NOVA does not have enough high quality lax players to feild two or three teams that would be competitive at the top tournaments. My prediction is that NOVA based clubs will occupy the lower levels for the foreseeable future

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop saying “what does that say about….”. Just say it, no one is picking up what you are putting down!

I’m not sure why people are so upset by this question. If VLC does not have a 2027 team, rising 8th graders, then how will that impact this age group at the high school level? No one is saying that VLC isn’t a great club and doesn’t have wonderful high school teams. However if I’m thinking of joining the club in high school I will want to know how they did the year before.

That is a fair point. Considering they are not having a 2027 team I would say the outlook for the 2027 team is not great. If they do get a team in the future, 2027 will most likely be a weaker year unless they merge with a Hardlax team or Top Caliber or something ala how they formed DC Dogs after Madlax had a weak 2023 team. I think overall the club is just fine.

Anonymous wrote:Please stop saying “what does that say about….”. Just say it, no one is picking up what you are putting down!

I’m not sure why people are so upset by this question. If VLC does not have a 2027 team, rising 8th graders, then how will that impact this age group at the high school level? No one is saying that VLC isn’t a great club and doesn’t have wonderful high school teams. However if I’m thinking of joining the club in high school I will want to know how they did the year before.