Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.

Well, that stated then I don't think it's a big issue at all. Someone playing out of their depth, up a group will not progress and will only hurt themselves. I haven't seen it, but it could happen anywhere. Again, not seeing big or even subtle signs of politics. That said, human beings are human, and the kind of politics you are implying could happen at any club in the area.....or world. It's not anything that I'm overly worried about.

Agreed that it doesn’t and won’t help their DD, but it does drag down the quality of the practice for the group such players join some so to be fair, it’s not totally harmless either. It’s waters down the quality. However, as we can both agree, parents try to meddle like that all the time, so Spirit certainly doesn’t have the market cornered on politics.

But you are quite correct: nothing to be over worried about. Just a nuisance that I had hoped Spirit might have been able to void as a start up.

I hear what you are saying, but start-up or not, no organization can avoid "politics." It's a fact of life no matter where you are in life, forget about soccer for a minute. Even the club represented on this board with the great PR and damage controil operation is not immune.

There really is minimal politics as WS, as even you have admitted, and that's the best that any organization can do. Chasing unicorns will not bring you hapiness.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.

Well, that stated then I don't think it's a big issue at all. Someone playing out of their depth, up a group will not progress and will only hurt themselves. I haven't seen it, but it could happen anywhere. Again, not seeing big or even subtle signs of politics. That said, human beings are human, and the kind of politics you are implying could happen at any club in the area.....or world. It's not anything that I'm overly worried about.

Agreed that it doesn’t and won’t help their DD, but it does drag down the quality of the practice for the group such players join some so to be fair, it’s not totally harmless either. It’s waters down the quality. However, as we can both agree, parents try to meddle like that all the time, so Spirit certainly doesn’t have the market cornered on politics.

But you are quite correct: nothing to be over worried about. Just a nuisance that I had hoped Spirit might have been able to void as a start up.

I think mixed bag is a pretty good way to phrase it. WS parents aren’t stupid. They see that sort of parental manipulation, but right now at least, overall, this year has seen an improvement in the overall quality of players and teams.

There really isn't much parental manipulation. It would be great for you to post specific examples of such, which you can't seem to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.

Well, that stated then I don't think it's a big issue at all. Someone playing out of their depth, up a group will not progress and will only hurt themselves. I haven't seen it, but it could happen anywhere. Again, not seeing big or even subtle signs of politics. That said, human beings are human, and the kind of politics you are implying could happen at any club in the area.....or world. It's not anything that I'm overly worried about.

Agreed that it doesn’t and won’t help their DD, but it does drag down the quality of the practice for the group such players join some so to be fair, it’s not totally harmless either. It’s waters down the quality. However, as we can both agree, parents try to meddle like that all the time, so Spirit certainly doesn’t have the market cornered on politics.

But you are quite correct: nothing to be over worried about. Just a nuisance that I had hoped Spirit might have been able to void as a start up.

I think mixed bag is a pretty good way to phrase it. WS parents aren’t stupid. They see that sort of parental manipulation, but right now at least, overall, this year has seen an improvement in the overall quality of players and teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.

Well, that stated then I don't think it's a big issue at all. Someone playing out of their depth, up a group will not progress and will only hurt themselves. I haven't seen it, but it could happen anywhere. Again, not seeing big or even subtle signs of politics. That said, human beings are human, and the kind of politics you are implying could happen at any club in the area.....or world. It's not anything that I'm overly worried about.

Agreed that it doesn’t and won’t help their DD, but it does drag down the quality of the practice for the group such players join some so to be fair, it’s not totally harmless either. It’s waters down the quality. However, as we can both agree, parents try to meddle like that all the time, so Spirit certainly doesn’t have the market cornered on politics.

But you are quite correct: nothing to be over worried about. Just a nuisance that I had hoped Spirit might have been able to void as a start up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.

Well, that stated then I don't think it's a big issue at all. Someone playing out of their depth, up a group will not progress and will only hurt themselves. I haven't seen it, but it could happen anywhere. Again, not seeing big or even subtle signs of politics. That said, human beings are human, and the kind of politics you are implying could happen at any club in the area.....or world. It's not anything that I'm overly worried about.

Agreed that it doesn’t and won’t help their DD, but it does drag down the quality of the practice for the group such players join some so to be fair, it’s not totally harmless either. It’s waters down the quality. However, as we can both agree, parents try to meddle like that all the time, so Spirit certainly doesn’t have the market cornered on politics.

But you are quite correct: nothing to be over worried about. Just a nuisance that I had hoped Spirit might have been able to void as a start up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And that’s all I will say on it. This thread isn’t the place to fix such things, but I won’t pretend Spirit is perfect. Some parents post here like it’s all rainbows and unicorns, and that’s when they get reamed because it’s laughable and dishonest.

Uh-huh. Give up the ghost man. Your PR campaign needs to end already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.

Well, that stated then I don't think it's a big issue at all. Someone playing out of their depth, up a group will not progress and will only hurt themselves. I haven't seen it, but it could happen anywhere. Again, not seeing big or even subtle signs of politics. That said, human beings are human, and the kind of politics you are implying could happen at any club in the area.....or world. It's not anything that I'm overly worried about.

Anonymous wrote:And that’s all I will say on it. This thread isn’t the place to fix such things, but I won’t pretend Spirit is perfect. Some parents post here like it’s all rainbows and unicorns, and that’s when they get reamed because it’s laughable and dishonest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of an older WS player, I’m also curious to hear more about what issues you’re experiencing. I’ve seen nothing to suggest parent politics, and the amount of field space assigned to her team is at least as good as my DD’s prior club.

Monday’s are the problem day. There is too much player congestion when all 4 teams overlap at Lake Fairfax. Read back through this thread and you will see upset parents posting about it.

As for politics, it started some last year and worsened this year. It’s only mild right now, but it is clear some train up and play up decisions - not all to be fair, but some - are from parental pressure. It’s so glaring that several parents noticed it this year again and have commented at practice. Again, not all but people are smart enough to know whcich is which. I won’t get more specific than that because it’s not the girls’ fault. Shame on those parents that do it, and Spirit parents know which families demand concessions and which are being asked or have other circumstances.

Monday's haven't been an issue for our age group. The field space is fine. The only time there is crowding is during shift change between age groups at the end of practice. I don't see that as a problem.

On the one or two play-ups I can think of that you might possibly be referring to based on your comment, I don't see that as a sign of politics. The player is very good and can keep up mentally with the age group. My concern would be size and risk of physical harm, but I'm not the player or the parent, so it's not my decision to worry about. I haven't seen any instances of players playing up with groups where they obviously don't belong (other than the size issue), and to me the opportunity to play a player up age groups when warranted to challenge them is a good thing. And something I've seen at other academy style clubs in the area.

We are not talking about the same player. She is good and should play up. I’m not sure 3 age groups up is safe, but her own age group wouldn’t be appropriate.