Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for such an articulate, intelligent, we'll laid out post. People will berate you because of whatever personal agenda they may have, but this is well said and frames the heart of everything I myself have on my mind.

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you have totally missed the point and are looking to pick a fight just because these are anonymous posts. The roster size and lack of communication are the largest concerns of the parents on the 04 Spirit team followed by the lack of training space and coaches on Monday nights.

The first WS 04 game is in 2 1/2 days and there has been zero communication on the roster. The roster currently stands at 28 when we were specifically told a max of 18-20. The contract that was signed specifically says Washington Spirit Development Academy. Nowhere in the commitment letter does it say your daughter may play EDP. A prior email mentioned it, but the contract specifically states Washington Spirit Development Academy. Ironically no one even has a uniform yet. Now they still have 2 1/2 days, but the recent track record makes this concerning as well. I have to think every other club has delivered uniforms to their players by now. So maybe this becomes a non issue and doesn't need to be harped on, but is more systemic of the overall problems throughout the club.

Concerning field space - if you aren't there to see it, you honestly have no right to provide an opinion. It isn't a 'small amount of space' and we aren't asking for a full field or a half field. But for the first 30+ minutes it is almost a non existent space with ZERO coaches because they are coaching the other teams. The girls on their own decided to do rondo's in a very small space where only a small percentage even participated because there was no coach there. And it wouldn't be an issue if 2-3 teams split half a field. But when each team has 25+ players, it makes it that much more crowded as you get over 70 kids on half a field. We are not against small sided drills and no one is looking for kickball. But when you don't have a coach or a significant patch of grass, it isn't fair to the players and not what everyone signed up for.

And to the parent that said their daughter did not sit out for 1/3rd of the practice, you obviously either weren't there or you are incorrect. If a team plays 8x8 games with 25 players, you have to have 1/3rd sitting out unless your daughter is a goalie. That fact really can't be disputed as it is simple math. So if the practice is supposed to be 90 minutes of touches and the first 30 minutes are wasted, and you sit out for 15 minutes of the 40 minute scrimmage, you end up with 1/2 of the practice getting touches on the ball. I don't think any parent would consider this acceptable for player development.

And I understand people that say complaining here isn't going to solve anything and you are absolutely correct. But communication with the club does not provide any clarity to the questions and concerns. And I thought the idea of a message board was to vent freely on the issues you face and to educate other parents on the positives and negatives of a specific club so that it could help them make an education decision for their child. I know I would have appreciated a parent posting this type of information last year so I would have been more informed going into this season.

Ok, now I get it. So what is happening is that all those A and B licensed coaches are running a practice session that wouldn't have let them pass the D course. No wonder people are upset.

As the parent of a daughter who will be eligible next year, thank you.

FWIW I highly doubt complaining to the TD wiould do any good, and in your shoes I probably wouldn't for fear it would hurt my daughter. He obviously knows about the field space issue but feels there's no better options, and the other complaints are tantamount to saying "you suck at your job." Those conversations generally don't go to well.

Good luck. Hope they get it sorted out.

Any FCV or Arlington parents want to chime in to give us a comparison?

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for such an articulate, intelligent, we'll laid out post. People will berate you because of whatever personal agenda they may have, but this is well said and frames the heart of everything I myself have on my mind.

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you have totally missed the point and are looking to pick a fight just because these are anonymous posts. The roster size and lack of communication are the largest concerns of the parents on the 04 Spirit team followed by the lack of training space and coaches on Monday nights.

The first WS 04 game is in 2 1/2 days and there has been zero communication on the roster. The roster currently stands at 28 when we were specifically told a max of 18-20. The contract that was signed specifically says Washington Spirit Development Academy. Nowhere in the commitment letter does it say your daughter may play EDP. A prior email mentioned it, but the contract specifically states Washington Spirit Development Academy. Ironically no one even has a uniform yet. Now they still have 2 1/2 days, but the recent track record makes this concerning as well. I have to think every other club has delivered uniforms to their players by now. So maybe this becomes a non issue and doesn't need to be harped on, but is more systemic of the overall problems throughout the club.

Concerning field space - if you aren't there to see it, you honestly have no right to provide an opinion. It isn't a 'small amount of space' and we aren't asking for a full field or a half field. But for the first 30+ minutes it is almost a non existent space with ZERO coaches because they are coaching the other teams. The girls on their own decided to do rondo's in a very small space where only a small percentage even participated because there was no coach there. And it wouldn't be an issue if 2-3 teams split half a field. But when each team has 25+ players, it makes it that much more crowded as you get over 70 kids on half a field. We are not against small sided drills and no one is looking for kickball. But when you don't have a coach or a significant patch of grass, it isn't fair to the players and not what everyone signed up for.

And to the parent that said their daughter did not sit out for 1/3rd of the practice, you obviously either weren't there or you are incorrect. If a team plays 8x8 games with 25 players, you have to have 1/3rd sitting out unless your daughter is a goalie. That fact really can't be disputed as it is simple math. So if the practice is supposed to be 90 minutes of touches and the first 30 minutes are wasted, and you sit out for 15 minutes of the 40 minute scrimmage, you end up with 1/2 of the practice getting touches on the ball. I don't think any parent would consider this acceptable for player development.

And I understand people that say complaining here isn't going to solve anything and you are absolutely correct. But communication with the club does not provide any clarity to the questions and concerns. And I thought the idea of a message board was to vent freely on the issues you face and to educate other parents on the positives and negatives of a specific club so that it could help them make an education decision for their child. I know I would have appreciated a parent posting this type of information last year so I would have been more informed going into this season.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you have totally missed the point and are looking to pick a fight just because these are anonymous posts. The roster size and lack of communication are the largest concerns of the parents on the 04 Spirit team followed by the lack of training space and coaches on Monday nights.

The first WS 04 game is in 2 1/2 days and there has been zero communication on the roster. The roster currently stands at 28 when we were specifically told a max of 18-20. The contract that was signed specifically says Washington Spirit Development Academy. Nowhere in the commitment letter does it say your daughter may play EDP. A prior email mentioned it, but the contract specifically states Washington Spirit Development Academy. Ironically no one even has a uniform yet. Now they still have 2 1/2 days, but the recent track record makes this concerning as well. I have to think every other club has delivered uniforms to their players by now. So maybe this becomes a non issue and doesn't need to be harped on, but is more systemic of the overall problems throughout the club.

Concerning field space - if you aren't there to see it, you honestly have no right to provide an opinion. It isn't a 'small amount of space' and we aren't asking for a full field or a half field. But for the first 30+ minutes it is almost a non existent space with ZERO coaches because they are coaching the other teams. The girls on their own decided to do rondo's in a very small space where only a small percentage even participated because there was no coach there. And it wouldn't be an issue if 2-3 teams split half a field. But when each team has 25+ players, it makes it that much more crowded as you get over 70 kids on half a field. We are not against small sided drills and no one is looking for kickball. But when you don't have a coach or a significant patch of grass, it isn't fair to the players and not what everyone signed up for.

And to the parent that said their daughter did not sit out for 1/3rd of the practice, you obviously either weren't there or you are incorrect. If a team plays 8x8 games with 25 players, you have to have 1/3rd sitting out unless your daughter is a goalie. That fact really can't be disputed as it is simple math. So if the practice is supposed to be 90 minutes of touches and the first 30 minutes are wasted, and you sit out for 15 minutes of the 40 minute scrimmage, you end up with 1/2 of the practice getting touches on the ball. I don't think any parent would consider this acceptable for player development.

And I understand people that say complaining here isn't going to solve anything and you are absolutely correct. But communication with the club does not provide any clarity to the questions and concerns. And I thought the idea of a message board was to vent freely on the issues you face and to educate other parents on the positives and negatives of a specific club so that it could help them make an education decision for their child. I know I would have appreciated a parent posting this type of information last year so I would have been more informed going into this season.

The problem, you are not venting as "freely" as you believe you are. In none of your posts have ever mentioned talking with a coach or the TD to resolve the problem. You have never asked the forum for suggestions regarding how to solve the problem. When challenged on your motives and intent you have repeatedly claimed that you are merely "sharing information that is important" claiming sharing is the purpose of the boards. AND now you just state your full intent, which is what you have been accused of over the last several pages when you just stated " I thought the idea of a message board was to vent freely on the issues".

You are not interested in a solution, you want to vent, to smear and to be angry. And in so doing you are representing the other parents, kids and families at the club in very poor light, people who may never know how you have portrayed them while you just casually "freely vented" so that you could just get it off your chest. But those are the people who may never visit this board, but as is evidence there are people here who you likely have to sit next for the coming season. And now you may have ruined your ability to actually speak freely with them, the affected people who actually care about the situation.

For your own happiness you probably should leave the club because you will not be happy and you will only drag others down with you. If you are not honestly and earnestly interested in fixing the problem you should layoff the board and walk away.

My two cents

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you have totally missed the point and are looking to pick a fight just because these are anonymous posts. The roster size and lack of communication are the largest concerns of the parents on the 04 Spirit team followed by the lack of training space and coaches on Monday nights.

The first WS 04 game is in 2 1/2 days and there has been zero communication on the roster. The roster currently stands at 28 when we were specifically told a max of 18-20. The contract that was signed specifically says Washington Spirit Development Academy. Nowhere in the commitment letter does it say your daughter may play EDP. A prior email mentioned it, but the contract specifically states Washington Spirit Development Academy. Ironically no one even has a uniform yet. Now they still have 2 1/2 days, but the recent track record makes this concerning as well. I have to think every other club has delivered uniforms to their players by now. So maybe this becomes a non issue and doesn't need to be harped on, but is more systemic of the overall problems throughout the club.

Concerning field space - if you aren't there to see it, you honestly have no right to provide an opinion. It isn't a 'small amount of space' and we aren't asking for a full field or a half field. But for the first 30+ minutes it is almost a non existent space with ZERO coaches because they are coaching the other teams. The girls on their own decided to do rondo's in a very small space where only a small percentage even participated because there was no coach there. And it wouldn't be an issue if 2-3 teams split half a field. But when each team has 25+ players, it makes it that much more crowded as you get over 70 kids on half a field. We are not against small sided drills and no one is looking for kickball. But when you don't have a coach or a significant patch of grass, it isn't fair to the players and not what everyone signed up for.

And to the parent that said their daughter did not sit out for 1/3rd of the practice, you obviously either weren't there or you are incorrect. If a team plays 8x8 games with 25 players, you have to have 1/3rd sitting out unless your daughter is a goalie. That fact really can't be disputed as it is simple math. So if the practice is supposed to be 90 minutes of touches and the first 30 minutes are wasted, and you sit out for 15 minutes of the 40 minute scrimmage, you end up with 1/2 of the practice getting touches on the ball. I don't think any parent would consider this acceptable for player development.

And I understand people that say complaining here isn't going to solve anything and you are absolutely correct. But communication with the club does not provide any clarity to the questions and concerns. And I thought the idea of a message board was to vent freely on the issues you face and to educate other parents on the positives and negatives of a specific club so that it could help them make an education decision for their child. I know I would have appreciated a parent posting this type of information last year so I would have been more informed going into this season.

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you have totally missed the point and are looking to pick a fight just because these are anonymous posts. The roster size and lack of communication are the largest concerns of the parents on the 04 Spirit team followed by the lack of training space and coaches on Monday nights.

The first WS 04 game is in 2 1/2 days and there has been zero communication on the roster. The roster currently stands at 28 when we were specifically told a max of 18-20. The contract that was signed specifically says Washington Spirit Development Academy. Nowhere in the commitment letter does it say your daughter may play EDP. A prior email mentioned it, but the contract specifically states Washington Spirit Development Academy. Ironically no one even has a uniform yet. Now they still have 2 1/2 days, but the recent track record makes this concerning as well. I have to think every other club has delivered uniforms to their players by now. So maybe this becomes a non issue and doesn't need to be harped on, but is more systemic of the overall problems throughout the club.

Concerning field space - if you aren't there to see it, you honestly have no right to provide an opinion. It isn't a 'small amount of space' and we aren't asking for a full field or a half field. But for the first 30+ minutes it is almost a non existent space with ZERO coaches because they are coaching the other teams. The girls on their own decided to do rondo's in a very small space where only a small percentage even participated because there was no coach there. And it wouldn't be an issue if 2-3 teams split half a field. But when each team has 25+ players, it makes it that much more crowded as you get over 70 kids on half a field. We are not against small sided drills and no one is looking for kickball. But when you don't have a coach or a significant patch of grass, it isn't fair to the players and not what everyone signed up for.

And to the parent that said their daughter did not sit out for 1/3rd of the practice, you obviously either weren't there or you are incorrect. If a team plays 8x8 games with 25 players, you have to have 1/3rd sitting out unless your daughter is a goalie. That fact really can't be disputed as it is simple math. So if the practice is supposed to be 90 minutes of touches and the first 30 minutes are wasted, and you sit out for 15 minutes of the 40 minute scrimmage, you end up with 1/2 of the practice getting touches on the ball. I don't think any parent would consider this acceptable for player development.

And I understand people that say complaining here isn't going to solve anything and you are absolutely correct. But communication with the club does not provide any clarity to the questions and concerns. And I thought the idea of a message board was to vent freely on the issues you face and to educate other parents on the positives and negatives of a specific club so that it could help them make an education decision for their child. I know I would have appreciated a parent posting this type of information last year so I would have been more informed going into this season.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please just stop. This is going badly for you. Just call Tom and talk to him about your 45 minute overlap issue one day a week. Or leave the club with your sophisticated daughter. You aren't making progress of any kind here

That you really think only one person has complained on this forum about this issue is pathetic. But if you quit being Spirit's lawyer, it will stop on its own. It only keeps going because you keep trying to sweep things under the rug. I've never seen anything like it.

And people do need to know these things about the club. I'd love to also know more about the otherclubs. Helps with evaluating

Nothing has been "swept under the rug." People have expressed different opinions over this issue ad nauseum. It will never end; you have a bone to pick.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine does. She says Monday night practices are a joke. It's the one day she hates.

Thank you for sharing your daughter's opinion.

Personally, I did not think that one day a week of working in a compressed space would be too problematic, because there are plenty of very productive activities that could (and should) be done in small spaces, and I figured the coaches would just adjust their training plans to use more of those types of activities on Mondays, and compensate by using more of the activities that require additional space on the other days. Like for example, if they were going to scrimmage for 20 minutes at the end of every practice, maybe they don't scrimmage at all on Monday, but they scrimmage for 40 minutes on Wednesday. Something like that.

That is my opinion, but it doesn't in any way invalidate your daughter's opinion, or yours for that matter. So I'm curious, since I don't think anyone else has actually asked you, would you mind sharing some of the reasons your daughter doesn't like Monday's practices? Is she a player who is comfortable using speed to her advantage and therefore prefers activities with more space, while smaller spaces challenge her technical ability and speed of play and therefore make her uncomfortable? Or is it perhaps that the coaches haven't really figured out how to make it all work on those nights. It is challenging to design sessions with good organization and flow to them, keeping everyone engaged and moving, when you have a lot of players and not too much space to work with. Doing it right would also require some coordination between the coaches. Even simple things like orientation of playing areas are important, to avoid or at least minimize the number of balls flying into other teams' training areas. If the coaches are struggling with all of this, I could see how it might all feel very chaotic and unproductive to a player. I'm sure there are other possible reasons I haven't thought of, but I would be interested in hearing your daughter's perspective.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please just stop. This is going badly for you. Just call Tom and talk to him about your 45 minute overlap issue one day a week. Or leave the club with your sophisticated daughter. You aren't making progress of any kind here

That you really think only one person has complained on this forum about this issue is pathetic. But if you quit being Spirit's lawyer, it will stop on its own. It only keeps going because you keep trying to sweep things under the rug. I've never seen anything like it.

And people do need to know these things about the club. I'd love to also know more about the otherclubs. Helps with evaluating

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine does. She says Monday night practices are a joke. It's the one day she hates.

other than field size, how different is Mondays from other weekdays? In addition to Mondays,!Are you sure she doesnt hate lasagna too?

Or maybe she's a sophisticated enough player to know the differenbetween a good practice and a crappy one. Not all players do, depending on their soccer background and what coaches they had before.

Anonymous wrote:Please just stop. This is going badly for you. Just call Tom and talk to him about your 45 minute overlap issue one day a week. Or leave the club with your sophisticated daughter. You aren't making progress of any kind here

Anonymous wrote:Mine does. She says Monday night practices are a joke. It's the one day she hates.