Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 14:06     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:I'm kind of curious what people think about the leadership and management staff of clubs around NOVA from the perspective of running a customer focused business. Perhaps this is stereotyping, but clubs seem to be populated by people who have profiles of being ex-athletes who often played soccer at a higher that average level and then pursued coaching credentials out the wazuu to position themselves in places of management. I don't see a lot of people running the show who possess basic competencies or experience in communications or business skills.

How often are your club's communications confusing (frequently, infrequently, never)? Are people particularly content with the role and performance of their team managers? Does your team consistently provide game footage (e.g., VEO)? What does your travel experience look like in terms of hotel arrangements and team building activities when you are traveling to competitions? What types of investments does your club make in college recruiting? What platform does you team rely on for calendaring practices and games - does it function flawlessly or change regularly? Does your club pursue corporate sponsorships? When was the last time your club sent out a survey to learn about its core constituents' needs? Are you aware of whether your club does basic business analysis on business activities and investments (e.g., advertising, equipment, coaching performance)?


+1000000
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 13:09     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Most clubs are managed by volunteers with maybe a paid executive to help manage things full time for the very large clubs.

Most of them probably have or had kids in the program and do the best they can with the time they have available.

There are a lot of demands, and not enough volunteers and despite some folks willing to pay for extra or professional services to handle these things, I'm not sure that's the majority.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 12:58     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
We are at Arlington. Team manager is great. Communication from the top is ok- frequent but very generic. I don't get the feeling it's a well run club. But it's not terrible either. Coach is a great communicator. But not the best coach- one of the few they got from DC Soccer last year. The age group director is completely non-existent. No one knows who he is or what he does. But, the director of coaching has shown up a few times to support which I am pleasantly surprised at given the number of teams he has.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:25     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:I'm kind of curious what people think about the leadership and management staff of clubs around NOVA from the perspective of running a customer focused business. Perhaps this is stereotyping, but clubs seem to be populated by people who have profiles of being ex-athletes who often played soccer at a higher that average level and then pursued coaching credentials out the wazuu to position themselves in places of management. I don't see a lot of people running the show who possess basic competencies or experience in communications or business skills.

How often are your club's communications confusing (frequently, infrequently, never)? Are people particularly content with the role and performance of their team managers? Does your team consistently provide game footage (e.g., VEO)? What does your travel experience look like in terms of hotel arrangements and team building activities when you are traveling to competitions? What types of investments does your club make in college recruiting? What platform does you team rely on for calendaring practices and games - does it function flawlessly or change regularly? Does your club pursue corporate sponsorships? When was the last time your club sent out a survey to learn about its core constituents' needs? Are you aware of whether your club does basic business analysis on business activities and investments (e.g., advertising, equipment, coaching performance)?


Short and long answer: No.

Communication at our club is abysmal, infrequent, and never there when it needs to be. We have been at a few clubs and with the exception of a larger one, it seems to be the smaller ones who need the most help for obvious reasons. Smaller staff with too much to do. Regarding surveys, not in recent years have I seen one.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:24     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of parents are afraid to do much if they aren't popular, very knowledgeable in soccer, have a lot of time or don't have a strong player. In the baseball little league world everyone is a volunteer and it's easier to step up. In travel programs there is an expectation that it should be run completely as a business even if you are a volunteer.


To be a parent volunteer for a team staff you need zero and I mean zero knowledge of soccer. So, this excuse is 100% BS. You're just being lazy.

I work full time and don’t want to spend what little free time I have dealing with pita parents. I’d much rather pay someone else to do it even if it means paying more. It’s the same reason I don’t clean my own house, have my groceries delivered and have a landscaping service.


The underlying issue you completely missed is this isn't a chore. This is about your children. You are so lazy you won't even be more involved with your children. That's the sad part. Do you hire someone to drop them off and pick them up too? Do you hire someone to cheer for them during games as well?

Imagine a parent comparing being involved in their kid's sport's activity to cleaning the house or shopping for food. WTF is wrong with you lazy people. Feel sorry for your kid for having such a horrible parent.

Oh get off your high horse. Kids club soccer is just another paid activity we buy for our kids. Like going to Disney. Does Disney ask me to volunteer and wash my own dishes? But it’s for the kids!


So instead of actually being involved with your kids you third party them out. Got it. Don't make excuses. Just admit and move on.

You must be a lot of fun to be around for anybody working with your kids. Are you the "involved" parent telling teachers how to teach? I'll bet you were the "involved" parent standing next to their kid as they got their hair cut telling the person how to do their job. Were you "involved" with setting up lots of playdates for your kids?
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:23     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:Our club uses team snap for scheduling and basic messaging. Overall it works fine. The tech is getting better year after year.

Our team manager does a lot of the updates and really goes above and beyond.

The VEO was inconsistent, but one parent decided to take ownership and got their own license and most of the parents just sent money and now we have every game and some practices each time.

I think the main issue is that we're NoVA parents and all a little insane/demanding and for 3k ish in dues we have high expectations. But as several people pointed out these are non-profits, run like mom and pop shops, where most employees are doing more out of love than any salary.

Imo, if you like the current coach, you're probably happier with the club.


Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:13     Subject: Re:Are clubs being run by the right people?
Any club with a current/former coach making business decisions is being mismanaged.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:11     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of parents are afraid to do much if they aren't popular, very knowledgeable in soccer, have a lot of time or don't have a strong player. In the baseball little league world everyone is a volunteer and it's easier to step up. In travel programs there is an expectation that it should be run completely as a business even if you are a volunteer.


To be a parent volunteer for a team staff you need zero and I mean zero knowledge of soccer. So, this excuse is 100% BS. You're just being lazy.

I work full time and don’t want to spend what little free time I have dealing with pita parents. I’d much rather pay someone else to do it even if it means paying more. It’s the same reason I don’t clean my own house, have my groceries delivered and have a landscaping service.


The underlying issue you completely missed is this isn't a chore. This is about your children. You are so lazy you won't even be more involved with your children. That's the sad part. Do you hire someone to drop them off and pick them up too? Do you hire someone to cheer for them during games as well?

Imagine a parent comparing being involved in their kid's sport's activity to cleaning the house or shopping for food. WTF is wrong with you lazy people. Feel sorry for your kid for having such a horrible parent.

Oh get off your high horse. Kids club soccer is just another paid activity we buy for our kids. Like going to Disney. Does Disney ask me to volunteer and wash my own dishes? But it’s for the kids!


So instead of actually being involved with your kids you third party them out. Got it. Don't make excuses. Just admit and move on.


What in god's name are you talking about? Being overly involved and invested in your child's youth sports team is now an essential part of parenting? You are the epitome of the completely backwards value system that has ruined youth sports, and youth soccer in particular. Unless you are coaching the team - or there is some sort of blatant abuse taking place - stay out of it. Let your child play the sport. Honestly, given the posts you've already made on this topic, this is clearly a waste of time. But I feel it's important to let you know that YOU are the problem here, and it's amazing that someone like you is branding someone else a "horrible parent." You are the worst. You.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:01     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of parents are afraid to do much if they aren't popular, very knowledgeable in soccer, have a lot of time or don't have a strong player. In the baseball little league world everyone is a volunteer and it's easier to step up. In travel programs there is an expectation that it should be run completely as a business even if you are a volunteer.


To be a parent volunteer for a team staff you need zero and I mean zero knowledge of soccer. So, this excuse is 100% BS. You're just being lazy.

I work full time and don’t want to spend what little free time I have dealing with pita parents. I’d much rather pay someone else to do it even if it means paying more. It’s the same reason I don’t clean my own house, have my groceries delivered and have a landscaping service.


The underlying issue you completely missed is this isn't a chore. This is about your children. You are so lazy you won't even be more involved with your children. That's the sad part. Do you hire someone to drop them off and pick them up too? Do you hire someone to cheer for them during games as well?

Imagine a parent comparing being involved in their kid's sport's activity to cleaning the house or shopping for food. WTF is wrong with you lazy people. Feel sorry for your kid for having such a horrible parent.

Oh get off your high horse. Kids club soccer is just another paid activity we buy for our kids. Like going to Disney. Does Disney ask me to volunteer and wash my own dishes? But it’s for the kids!


So instead of actually being involved with your kids you third party them out. Got it. Don't make excuses. Just admit and move on.


He pays someone to stand in express pass line with them
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 11:01     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Our club uses team snap for scheduling and basic messaging. Overall it works fine. The tech is getting better year after year.

Our team manager does a lot of the updates and really goes above and beyond.

The VEO was inconsistent, but one parent decided to take ownership and got their own license and most of the parents just sent money and now we have every game and some practices each time.

I think the main issue is that we're NoVA parents and all a little insane/demanding and for 3k ish in dues we have high expectations. But as several people pointed out these are non-profits, run like mom and pop shops, where most employees are doing more out of love than any salary.

Imo, if you like the current coach, you're probably happier with the club.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 10:50     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:
If the club charges player $3k for 10 months (or 6 months for U15 above), you should not expect works done by volunteers.

Different level for competition. (REC, low level travel, high level travel, then ECNL, young ages, old ages).
you cannot mix things together.



If every travel team had a paid team manager, tournament director, and treasurer each family would be looking at $5,000 a season instead of $2k-$3k. Plus, there isn't even enough work to hire a team manager. It's a freaking team manager. Are you serious? LOL. Some of you parents are so lazy.

One mom I know drives 30 minutes to and from practice four times a week. And it's a solid 30 minute drive each way. You guys would probably send your children off in an Uber.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 10:47     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of parents are afraid to do much if they aren't popular, very knowledgeable in soccer, have a lot of time or don't have a strong player. In the baseball little league world everyone is a volunteer and it's easier to step up. In travel programs there is an expectation that it should be run completely as a business even if you are a volunteer.


To be a parent volunteer for a team staff you need zero and I mean zero knowledge of soccer. So, this excuse is 100% BS. You're just being lazy.

I work full time and don’t want to spend what little free time I have dealing with pita parents. I’d much rather pay someone else to do it even if it means paying more. It’s the same reason I don’t clean my own house, have my groceries delivered and have a landscaping service.


The underlying issue you completely missed is this isn't a chore. This is about your children. You are so lazy you won't even be more involved with your children. That's the sad part. Do you hire someone to drop them off and pick them up too? Do you hire someone to cheer for them during games as well?

Imagine a parent comparing being involved in their kid's sport's activity to cleaning the house or shopping for food. WTF is wrong with you lazy people. Feel sorry for your kid for having such a horrible parent.

Oh get off your high horse. Kids club soccer is just another paid activity we buy for our kids. Like going to Disney. Does Disney ask me to volunteer and wash my own dishes? But it’s for the kids!


So instead of actually being involved with your kids you third party them out. Got it. Don't make excuses. Just admit and move on.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 09:54     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
No they are not. They are all terrible, but from time to time an age group is run by competent people and there are good coaches within it. Find that club.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 09:51     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?

If the club charges player $3k for 10 months (or 6 months for U15 above), you should not expect works done by volunteers.

Different level for competition. (REC, low level travel, high level travel, then ECNL, young ages, old ages).
you cannot mix things together.

Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 09:48     Subject: Are clubs being run by the right people?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of parents are afraid to do much if they aren't popular, very knowledgeable in soccer, have a lot of time or don't have a strong player. In the baseball little league world everyone is a volunteer and it's easier to step up. In travel programs there is an expectation that it should be run completely as a business even if you are a volunteer.


To be a parent volunteer for a team staff you need zero and I mean zero knowledge of soccer. So, this excuse is 100% BS. You're just being lazy.

I work full time and don’t want to spend what little free time I have dealing with pita parents. I’d much rather pay someone else to do it even if it means paying more. It’s the same reason I don’t clean my own house, have my groceries delivered and have a landscaping service.


The underlying issue you completely missed is this isn't a chore. This is about your children. You are so lazy you won't even be more involved with your children. That's the sad part. Do you hire someone to drop them off and pick them up too? Do you hire someone to cheer for them during games as well?

Imagine a parent comparing being involved in their kid's sport's activity to cleaning the house or shopping for food. WTF is wrong with you lazy people. Feel sorry for your kid for having such a horrible parent.

Oh get off your high horse. Kids club soccer is just another paid activity we buy for our kids. Like going to Disney. Does Disney ask me to volunteer and wash my own dishes? But it’s for the kids!