Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only caveat is that clubs have started behaving like universities. They have figured out that uninformed and insecure parents: are ready to pay limitless amount for what they consider best for their kids; and consider that more expensive means better.
Accordingly, clubs are happy to increase fees year after year, knowing in NOVA, if a parent balks at the increase, 1000 others will line up to get into the « elite » team. The multiplication of  « travel » teams that are just glorified rec also reflects this.

Yep. And any parent that realizes that is called a "NOOB" by the lemmings...man, that made me laugh. National Youth Championship and NCAA National title and all. I'm a NOOB. Well, maybe, since I just learned from pps that the majority of current soccer parents thinks it is perfectly normal to have to resort to calling and emailing coaches to get their kids moved around---I am a NOOB.

Good lord, if my parents ever contacted my youth, HS, or college coaches to tell them I was misplaced I would have been absolutely mortified. And, if I had to routinely do that to get my kids a spot in a particular training group or on a team---then I am going to know that my kids just aren't that good.

Wow. That one took me by surprise--ha! My kids are going to be banished to the lowest groups forever because I don't politic. Got it. Well, I guess it would be better than be surrounded by kids that didn't get there on their own merit.

Anonymous wrote:It’s that time of year. Tryouts and change get everyone in a tizzy.

I thought the board was relatively mild for tryout season.

There are usually bashings about placements and Club picks, team assignments, etc..

I guess there are so many “elite” teams now every kid can find a spot on one so less people griping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only caveat is that clubs have started behaving like universities. They have figured out that uninformed and insecure parents: are ready to pay limitless amount for what they consider best for their kids; and consider that more expensive means better.
Accordingly, clubs are happy to increase fees year after year, knowing in NOVA, if a parent balks at the increase, 1000 others will line up to get into the « elite » team. The multiplication of  « travel » teams that are just glorified rec also reflects this.

Yep. And any parent that realizes that is called a "NOOB" by the lemmings...man, that made me laugh. National Youth Championship and NCAA National title and all. I'm a NOOB. Well, maybe, since I just learned from pps that the majority of current soccer parents thinks it is perfectly normal to have to resort to calling and emailing coaches to get their kids moved around---I am a NOOB.

Good lord, if my parents ever contacted my youth, HS, or college coaches to tell them I was misplaced I would have been absolutely mortified. And, if I had to routinely do that to get my kids a spot in a particular training group or on a team---then I am going to know that my kids just aren't that good.

Wow. That one took me by surprise--ha! My kids are going to be banished to the lowest groups forever because I don't politic. Got it. Well, I guess it would be better than be surrounded by kids that didn't get there on their own merit.

Wow, cool story, bro. Soccer NCAA. So, who did you play for and what year did you win the title? Any business interest in the Escola? It sure sounds that way from the past few pages.

So we have ECNL guy, DA guy, now FCB guy, each spewing one-sided nonsense to support their agendas. What entertainment

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only caveat is that clubs have started behaving like universities. They have figured out that uninformed and insecure parents: are ready to pay limitless amount for what they consider best for their kids; and consider that more expensive means better.
Accordingly, clubs are happy to increase fees year after year, knowing in NOVA, if a parent balks at the increase, 1000 others will line up to get into the « elite » team. The multiplication of  « travel » teams that are just glorified rec also reflects this.

Yep. And any parent that realizes that is called a "NOOB" by the lemmings...man, that made me laugh. National Youth Championship and NCAA National title and all. I'm a NOOB. Well, maybe, since I just learned from pps that the majority of current soccer parents thinks it is perfectly normal to have to resort to calling and emailing coaches to get their kids moved around---I am a NOOB.

Good lord, if my parents ever contacted my youth, HS, or college coaches to tell them I was misplaced I would have been absolutely mortified. And, if I had to routinely do that to get my kids a spot in a particular training group or on a team---then I am going to know that my kids just aren't that good.

Wow. That one took me by surprise--ha! My kids are going to be banished to the lowest groups forever because I don't politic. Got it. Well, I guess it would be better than be surrounded by kids that didn't get there on their own merit.

Wow, cool story, bro. Soccer NCAA. So, who did you play for and what year did you win the title? Any business interest in the Escola? It sure sounds that way from the past few pages.

So we have ECNL guy, DA guy, now FCB guy, each spewing one-sided nonsense to support their agendas. What entertainment

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only caveat is that clubs have started behaving like universities. They have figured out that uninformed and insecure parents: are ready to pay limitless amount for what they consider best for their kids; and consider that more expensive means better.
Accordingly, clubs are happy to increase fees year after year, knowing in NOVA, if a parent balks at the increase, 1000 others will line up to get into the « elite » team. The multiplication of  « travel » teams that are just glorified rec also reflects this.

Yep. And any parent that realizes that is called a "NOOB" by the lemmings...man, that made me laugh. National Youth Championship and NCAA National title and all. I'm a NOOB. Well, maybe, since I just learned from pps that the majority of current soccer parents thinks it is perfectly normal to have to resort to calling and emailing coaches to get their kids moved around---I am a NOOB.

Good lord, if my parents ever contacted my youth, HS, or college coaches to tell them I was misplaced I would have been absolutely mortified. And, if I had to routinely do that to get my kids a spot in a particular training group or on a team---then I am going to know that my kids just aren't that good.

Wow. That one took me by surprise--ha! My kids are going to be banished to the lowest groups forever because I don't politic. Got it. Well, I guess it would be better than be surrounded by kids that didn't get there on their own merit.

Wow, cool story, bro. Soccer NCAA. So, who did you play for and what year did you win the title? Any business interest in the Escola? It sure sounds that way from the past few pages.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only caveat is that clubs have started behaving like universities. They have figured out that uninformed and insecure parents: are ready to pay limitless amount for what they consider best for their kids; and consider that more expensive means better.
Accordingly, clubs are happy to increase fees year after year, knowing in NOVA, if a parent balks at the increase, 1000 others will line up to get into the « elite » team. The multiplication of  « travel » teams that are just glorified rec also reflects this.

Yep. And any parent that realizes that is called a "NOOB" by the lemmings...man, that made me laugh. National Youth Championship and NCAA National title and all. I'm a NOOB. Well, maybe, since I just learned from pps that the majority of current soccer parents thinks it is perfectly normal to have to resort to calling and emailing coaches to get their kids moved around---I am a NOOB.

Good lord, if my parents ever contacted my youth, HS, or college coaches to tell them I was misplaced I would have been absolutely mortified. And, if I had to routinely do that to get my kids a spot in a particular training group or on a team---then I am going to know that my kids just aren't that good.

Wow. That one took me by surprise--ha! My kids are going to be banished to the lowest groups forever because I don't politic. Got it. Well, I guess it would be better than be surrounded by kids that didn't get there on their own merit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Spain, they can still tell you to take a hike if you start complaining. Here in the US, they are only here for the money anyway, so they aren't going to tell every parent that complains or ask questions about training groups to take a hike. That's like signing up for a little league baseball program run by the Yankees and then complaining about your kid. They will tell you look we're the Yankees we don't care about your special snowflake so take a hike.

https://fcb-escola.fcbarcelona.com/international-fcbescola/location

This is a for-profit business so let's say that the $ is more important than developing players for free out of good will.
If they wanted to do that, set up an Escola in Iraq and Afghanistan and develop players for free.

Well, they actually did tell one kid and his annoying, meddling parents to take a hike...

They also have a '3 strikes rule' for bad behavior. 3 strikes, good-bye.

Anonymous wrote:In Spain, they can still tell you to take a hike if you start complaining. Here in the US, they are only here for the money anyway, so they aren't going to tell every parent that complains or ask questions about training groups to take a hike. That's like signing up for a little league baseball program run by the Yankees and then complaining about your kid. They will tell you look we're the Yankees we don't care about your special snowflake so take a hike.

https://fcb-escola.fcbarcelona.com/international-fcbescola/location

This is a for-profit business so let's say that the $ is more important than developing players for free out of good will.
If they wanted to do that, set up an Escola in Iraq and Afghanistan and develop players for free.

Anonymous wrote:The only caveat is that clubs have started behaving like universities. They have figured out that uninformed and insecure parents: are ready to pay limitless amount for what they consider best for their kids; and consider that more expensive means better.
Accordingly, clubs are happy to increase fees year after year, knowing in NOVA, if a parent balks at the increase, 1000 others will line up to get into the « elite » team. The multiplication of  « travel » teams that are just glorified rec also reflects this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and that's the difference between the real thing and the "Escola" where it's pay-to-play. At the real thing, you're given a once in a lifetime opportunity to train in one of the best academies in the world, and you do what they tell you to do. If you don't like it, take a hike, there are 1,000 other kids lining up to take your spot.

On the other hand, when parents are paying for it, they and their kids now have a "say" in things and have to be kept happy... otherwise they walk and no more $ to pay all those staff coaches. So some "customer service" has to be part of the program here because the participants are paying customers at the end of the day.

Nope. Wrong. Try again.

The FCBescola in Barcelona only goes from 6-12 year olds. It's a school to teach the Barca methodology. Local kids, relaxed environment at the fields across from the Miniestadi. Two days per week. Games Saturdays.

Introduction (6 to 8 years)
Pre-training (8 to 10 years)
Training (10 to 12 years)

The FCBescolas have branches around the World. Outside of Barcelona, the FCBEscolas train/teach players ages are 6-18 years old.

La Masia is what you are thinking of, not the Escola. The minimum age for La Masia the youth program is six years; each year, more than 1,000 boys from the ages of six to eight try out for admittance. The best 200 are selected. The club also actively seeks for prospective students; it employs a system in which 15 scouts are deployed in Catalonia, 15 in the rest of Spain and 10 scattered throughout the world. To alleviate the expenses of this scouting, the club has an agreement with 15 local clubs for them to train players who are not ready for entry into the youth academy. In return, FC Barcelona gives money, coaching and technical advice to these clubs for their services. While expanding its operations abroad, the club established five schools in Mexico and one in Egypt; successful applicants to these schools become full-time students, receiving academic education and football training.

But, the difference is in either place in Spain the parents are contacting the Coaches to tell them their kid has been put in the wrong training group.

We have been to both facilities in Spain and never for a second did we even remotely think the Escola was equivalent to La Masia when we signed up for FCB last summer. Obviously, there are some that are a bit confused on the entire premise of a development, teaching school. There is a residential FCB Academy in Arizona that plays in the US DA league. Again, different from the Escolas--but by the same people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and that's the difference between the real thing and the "Escola" where it's pay-to-play. At the real thing, you're given a once in a lifetime opportunity to train in one of the best academies in the world, and you do what they tell you to do. If you don't like it, take a hike, there are 1,000 other kids lining up to take your spot.

On the other hand, when parents are paying for it, they and their kids now have a "say" in things and have to be kept happy... otherwise they walk and no more $ to pay all those staff coaches. So some "customer service" has to be part of the program here because the participants are paying customers at the end of the day.

Nope. Wrong. Try again.

The FCBescola in Barcelona only goes from 6-12 year olds. It's a school to teach the Barca methodology. Local kids, relaxed environment at the fields across from the Miniestadi. Two days per week. Games Saturdays.

Introduction (6 to 8 years)
Pre-training (8 to 10 years)
Training (10 to 12 years)

The FCBescolas have branches around the World. Outside of Barcelona, the FCBEscolas train/teach players ages are 6-18 years old.

La Masia is what you are thinking of, not the Escola. The minimum age for La Masia the youth program is six years; each year, more than 1,000 boys from the ages of six to eight try out for admittance. The best 200 are selected. The club also actively seeks for prospective students; it employs a system in which 15 scouts are deployed in Catalonia, 15 in the rest of Spain and 10 scattered throughout the world. To alleviate the expenses of this scouting, the club has an agreement with 15 local clubs for them to train players who are not ready for entry into the youth academy. In return, FC Barcelona gives money, coaching and technical advice to these clubs for their services. While expanding its operations abroad, the club established five schools in Mexico and one in Egypt; successful applicants to these schools become full-time students, receiving academic education and football training.

But, the difference is in either place in Spain the parents are contacting the Coaches to tell them their kid has been put in the wrong training group.

We have been to both facilities in Spain and never for a second did we even remotely think the Escola was equivalent to La Masia when we signed up for FCB last summer. Obviously, there are some that are a bit confused on the entire premise of a development, teaching school. There is a residential FCB Academy in Arizona that plays in the US DA league. Again, different from the Escolas--but by the same people.

Anonymous wrote:and that's the difference between the real thing and the "Escola" where it's pay-to-play. At the real thing, you're given a once in a lifetime opportunity to train in one of the best academies in the world, and you do what they tell you to do. If you don't like it, take a hike, there are 1,000 other kids lining up to take your spot.

On the other hand, when parents are paying for it, they and their kids now have a "say" in things and have to be kept happy... otherwise they walk and no more $ to pay all those staff coaches. So some "customer service" has to be part of the program here because the participants are paying customers at the end of the day.