Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:33     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:These clubs were notified in November / December timeframe. Don’t get fooled, people.

Union also tried to merge with several other clubs and then settled on Brave because VDA and NVA weren’t having it. Brave and Union did not have to merge together, they just both got put into the same boat.


What proof do you have of this? Sounds like a bunch of speculation.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:30     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Every Mclean and Brave family has lost confidence in this merger at this point, given the way it's been handled. I don't really care who is at fault. Show, be grown-ups, get over your ego, get a coaching slate, and get it out. The mismanagement is shocking. At this point, ECNL should just come in and take it all over.


Can I get an idea of what was mismanaged, other than not putting out their coaching slate yet? I mean the timing sucks, but don't know what all happened behind the scenes to affect that.


Well, that’s a pretty big one to begin. Tomorrow is 3/1 and we have no slates, no ID sessions, which puts them behind by design. Dumb move for clubs that were told to improve. All reports are that the delays are due to infighting on the boys side. At least get the girls slate out. On the boys side, get it together. There has been NO communication to BRAVE families, and the communication from MYS have been lacking to say the least. The kids who want to stay are going to be left with no option but to leave since they can’t wait and forego other opportunities while this works itself out.

What would have been well-managed? They announce it, follow quickly with coaching slates and ID sessions, and keep promoting it as a new club with the strength of the best players from 3 feeders and the area. Instead they have managed the story negatively and look incompetent.


Well said
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:21     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:These clubs were notified in November / December timeframe. Don’t get fooled, people.

Union also tried to merge with several other clubs and then settled on Brave because VDA and NVA weren’t having it. Brave and Union did not have to merge together, they just both got put into the same boat.


Every pro sports league has a trade deadline and offseason periods where administrative things can and can't happen. ECNL has timelines too for tryouts - March 1 - and other things. For the purpose of caring about the kids that you pretend to care about, suggestion is that nothing like this should be allowed to happen for 45 days before tryout windows open. If its true that McLean was notified in November, then they should have had time to work it out. Get it done by 1/15 or risk being kicked out by ECNL. If ECNL is going to kick you out, that should happen by 1/15 also. If new clubs are joining ECNL or GA or whatever - all that needs to be done by 1/15.



Sounds like someone is trying to go into damage control. Who is trying to save face? ECNL or the clubs? Sad part is, nobody will do what's right and let the public know how it played out. Why? Because the truth will cause some ripple of negative PR for them, whether it's the league or the club however you shake it.


ECNL doesn’t look bad. Just the directors of the clubs. Is gfr affiliated yet?
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:14     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:These clubs were notified in November / December timeframe. Don’t get fooled, people.

Union also tried to merge with several other clubs and then settled on Brave because VDA and NVA weren’t having it. Brave and Union did not have to merge together, they just both got put into the same boat.


Every pro sports league has a trade deadline and offseason periods where administrative things can and can't happen. ECNL has timelines too for tryouts - March 1 - and other things. For the purpose of caring about the kids that you pretend to care about, suggestion is that nothing like this should be allowed to happen for 45 days before tryout windows open. If its true that McLean was notified in November, then they should have had time to work it out. Get it done by 1/15 or risk being kicked out by ECNL. If ECNL is going to kick you out, that should happen by 1/15 also. If new clubs are joining ECNL or GA or whatever - all that needs to be done by 1/15.



Sounds like someone is trying to go into damage control. Who is trying to save face? ECNL or the clubs? Sad part is, nobody will do what's right and let the public know how it played out. Why? Because the truth will cause some ripple of negative PR for them, whether it's the league or the club however you shake it.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:00     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership

I feel I have seen this movie before, oh yes, two years ago when BRYC got ECNL notice and tried "union" with VYS.
The whole drama is the same.

Hmm, does this mean whatever BRYC touched....

What is next target in 2 years around 2026?
Herndon, Valor?

BRYC21 is very contagious.


Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:43     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
please share the second email while I pop my popcorn

At least MYS is getting some form of communication. Brave side and 2012 boys/girls side for BRYC/VYS it's crickets.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:39     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:These clubs were notified in November / December timeframe. Don’t get fooled, people.

Union also tried to merge with several other clubs and then settled on Brave because VDA and NVA weren’t having it. Brave and Union did not have to merge together, they just both got put into the same boat.


Every pro sports league has a trade deadline and offseason periods where administrative things can and can't happen. ECNL has timelines too for tryouts - March 1 - and other things. For the purpose of caring about the kids that you pretend to care about, suggestion is that nothing like this should be allowed to happen for 45 days before tryout windows open. If its true that McLean was notified in November, then they should have had time to work it out. Get it done by 1/15 or risk being kicked out by ECNL. If ECNL is going to kick you out, that should happen by 1/15 also. If new clubs are joining ECNL or GA or whatever - all that needs to be done by 1/15.

Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:36     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:There is a mass Mclean parent email going around this am sayinf that the merger was done w/o discussions with Mclean's Boys Technical Director (JW) and implies that the BOD was not aware of this when they voted. This is better than my favorite telenovela.

Would the Board have voted to lose ECNL for both sides and ECNL R because the boys technical director was not happy?
The letter made it sound like McLean had no options. And if it’s really the Boys ECNL coaches on the McLean side holding this all up then that’s a huge problem!
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:33     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do players who don't play on a large roster accept this because they can still say they are on an ECNL team for recruiting? They still have to make it through the college tryout process on merit but maybe just saying that you're on an ECNL team helps? Especially for a D3 school this could help right? Sincerely asking.



This is what I hear is happening. Girls join Union in their recruiting years because Union coaches will help them get into schools even if they are bench players and never play a regular season game. They get in at showcases and the Union coaches use their connections and make calls. At U16/17/18, the girls are being developed through private coaches and training, they don't need playing time. What they want is to get into a college or play in college. The players and parents are not being tricked. They know there are big rosters. What shouldn't be happening is big rosters at younger ages where kids do need to develop and aren't necessarily getting private training.



Be creative with the 06/07 large pool of players the new club could roster 2 teams within the team, arrange and agree with each of the rostered players, half of the league games. Sign this age for more showcases and take each of the teams to a different event. Players would like to hear that there is a spot for them at least for 1/2 of the league games, and for a couple or more of showcases.


Yeah in theory we were at a club who did this "academy-style" pool of players as we had 30+ girls on ONE team. So they split it into two. Guess what? The top players (mine included) were selected for both games in different leagues each weekend. I felt bad for the parents who were paying the same $$ and overpromised games that never happened! The sad part is they weren't bad players either. The coaches had their picks and that's who they consistently played. Its also a big reason why we never went the ECNL or GA route since we saw the roster sizes and decided that ball touches were more important to player over the guessing game on a larger team to gamble whether or not she would ever step foot on the field or get decent playing minutes.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:30     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Every Mclean and Brave family has lost confidence in this merger at this point, given the way it's been handled. I don't really care who is at fault. Show, be grown-ups, get over your ego, get a coaching slate, and get it out. The mismanagement is shocking. At this point, ECNL should just come in and take it all over.


Can I get an idea of what was mismanaged, other than not putting out their coaching slate yet? I mean the timing sucks, but don't know what all happened behind the scenes to affect that.


Well, that’s a pretty big one to begin. Tomorrow is 3/1 and we have no slates, no ID sessions, which puts them behind by design. Dumb move for clubs that were told to improve. All reports are that the delays are due to infighting on the boys side. At least get the girls slate out. On the boys side, get it together. There has been NO communication to BRAVE families, and the communication from MYS have been lacking to say the least. The kids who want to stay are going to be left with no option but to leave since they can’t wait and forego other opportunities while this works itself out.

What would have been well-managed? They announce it, follow quickly with coaching slates and ID sessions, and keep promoting it as a new club with the strength of the best players from 3 feeders and the area. Instead they have managed the story negatively and look incompetent.


I have no dog in this fight, but it has to be said that given all the shake-up, could being last have some advantages? Not saying this is the McBrave strategy just saying that maybe they may stumble into some good fortune. Pretty sure there will still be a swarm of people at Lewinsburg the day these ID's are annouced, which realistically will be the same practice times you already have give or take 30mins, so don't get your panties in such a bunch. Prepare to be flexible next week with other commitments, its ultimatly a week maybe two. Most everyone else has scheduled their IDs or completed ID's already. Players who have already signed commitments will show up out of curiosity and then you never know. Consumers will move with their feet then their wallets. McLean fading for sure, always has plenty of feet lining up for their brand it has to be said.

Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:26     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
It is telling that the MYS Board has held NO meetings and/or town hall for the families and players. Just blathering emails (2 so far).

At this point, sounds like the cake is baked. At least tell us what the frosting is, so we can spit out the cake and move on. Or cautiously try this recipe that is at best, a blend of ingredients that is tasteless and likely to decay in 2 to 3 years.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:26     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
These clubs were notified in November / December timeframe. Don’t get fooled, people.

Union also tried to merge with several other clubs and then settled on Brave because VDA and NVA weren’t having it. Brave and Union did not have to merge together, they just both got put into the same boat.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:25     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
There is a mass Mclean parent email going around this am sayinf that the merger was done w/o discussions with Mclean's Boys Technical Director (JW) and implies that the BOD was not aware of this when they voted. This is better than my favorite telenovela.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:22     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Every Mclean and Brave family has lost confidence in this merger at this point, given the way it's been handled. I don't really care who is at fault. Show, be grown-ups, get over your ego, get a coaching slate, and get it out. The mismanagement is shocking. At this point, ECNL should just come in and take it all over.


Can I get an idea of what was mismanaged, other than not putting out their coaching slate yet? I mean the timing sucks, but don't know what all happened behind the scenes to affect that.


If the merger was unavoidable then the bare minimum would be to clearly communicate as much as you can to your membership and respect the fact that the timing is terrible for everyone involved. Clubs should have cared about that more and worked with ECNL on a solution and rollout that was fair to their membership. Get off your high horse and care about the kids and families that you always claim to care about. You all are doing a terrible job.

Parents talk. Almost 100 percent of families from all 3 clubs are unhappy about this and no one knows anything other than the initial statement from the clubs and one email sent to McLean families. Most people are getting their info from this thread, where half the posts are probably written by SYC coaches.

No specifics from me but those are the outward signs of mismanagement.


I have a different take. If what has been communicated on here is accurate (the letter), I think that's about as honest as a club can and should be. I'm sure having to put together the legal and logistics of a merger without little to no notice from ECNL has been a herculean task. The March 1st tryout window is 1) crappy and way too early, and 2) something ECNL should have taken into consideration before notifying the clubs in early February.

That said, I don't have the emotions or stress of a kid involved, so I know intertwining those things makes it feel like the most stressful thing in the world.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:21     Subject: ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Every Mclean and Brave family has lost confidence in this merger at this point, given the way it's been handled. I don't really care who is at fault. Show, be grown-ups, get over your ego, get a coaching slate, and get it out. The mismanagement is shocking. At this point, ECNL should just come in and take it all over.


Can I get an idea of what was mismanaged, other than not putting out their coaching slate yet? I mean the timing sucks, but don't know what all happened behind the scenes to affect that.


Well, that’s a pretty big one to begin. Tomorrow is 3/1 and we have no slates, no ID sessions, which puts them behind by design. Dumb move for clubs that were told to improve. All reports are that the delays are due to infighting on the boys side. At least get the girls slate out. On the boys side, get it together. There has been NO communication to BRAVE families, and the communication from MYS have been lacking to say the least. The kids who want to stay are going to be left with no option but to leave since they can’t wait and forego other opportunities while this works itself out.

What would have been well-managed? They announce it, follow quickly with coaching slates and ID sessions, and keep promoting it as a new club with the strength of the best players from 3 feeders and the area. Instead they have managed the story negatively and look incompetent.


The kids aren’t the priority and never has been. It’s the preservation and the increasing of salaries that has always been priority one for these gatekeepers.