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Post by gasoccermom on Sept 18, 2016 14:55:28 GMT -5
I have been on the forum for approximately a year and have thoroughly enjoyed the posts and information sharing. Now, I am in need of advice!
We have been at the same club since our son started playing soccer, and for various reasons, we are considering a mid-year club change this season. We are looking for a U12 Academy program/club where there is good communication, strong coaching, focus on player development, verbal and/or written player evaluation each season, emphasis on possession soccer, etc. Our son currently starts on his club's top team (he can play any position but primarily plays offense), and we would want him to continue playing at the same skill level if we make a change.
We live in the Roswell area. What U12 Academy programs/clubs should we investigate (pros/cons would be helpful)? Does anyone know anything about the Concorde Fire North "East Cobb" branch that practices out of Dupree Park? What is required to make a mid-year club change? Our understanding is that both the outgoing and incoming DOCs have to approve the change. If this is the case, is this generally an easy or difficult task?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
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Post by rifle on Sept 18, 2016 16:26:45 GMT -5
Tough situation. Being a starter on a club's best team isn't a strong position for negotiating a transfer.
Typically a transfer (meaning continued play at another club) includes loss of all fees, and real justification - something like harassment, family moving, etc.
I recommend you research the GA Soccer bylaws on the topics of transfer and release. A mis-step could very easily put your son on the outside looking in.
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Post by jash on Sept 18, 2016 16:48:58 GMT -5
You'd have to get pretty chummy with your current DOC to pull it off without hassle. You might as well start first by talking to your DOC about your issues and see if you can help make things better at your current club before mentioning you might want to leave.
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Post by chelsea14 on Sept 18, 2016 17:34:29 GMT -5
Not sure about the mid year club change but I can say with 100 percent assurance Concorde is NOT where you want to go for communication, good coaching, player development or possession soccer
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Post by soccerinsider on Sept 18, 2016 18:40:02 GMT -5
Write out your options. Go and watch a game of the team you are considering. Look to see if current team plays potential club team.
The "various" reasons... he's top player.... hard one. Coach conflict? Bullying?
It's why this system sucks. YOU pay. You should decide.
I'd call GA Soccer anonymously and ask for advice
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Post by atlcoach84 on Sept 18, 2016 21:34:27 GMT -5
I can't imagine a situation where you'd get your money back from the one club (and going to another) unless the admins/staff know each other and are OK with releasing a player.
You are correct that both programs have to accept the transfer. In Affinity (GA Soccer player registration system), a player must be released from one team and accepted by another club in order for there to be a transfer. You aren't supposed to speak to another club about joining their program, but *hypothetically* you could find another club that had a spot for your son to transfer to so that you could ask your admin to transfer him to that team at the new club.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 19, 2016 8:21:50 GMT -5
Yea, I've recently heard a story of player who was willing to pay out and donate $ and uniforms and still was denied.
I've found the bigger the club the worse the communication gets. Coaches get more distant from directors and DOCs and many coaches are now at the point they don't want to deal with the politics, they just want to coach. I think we as parents get a tough wrap for being difficult etc --- I think all we want is communication from the club and coaches. Hows are kids doing, are they progressing, what do they need to work on, does this kid know this etc? You can never get enough information about your 8-11 year olds and how they are doing. It should never be surprise when a kid doesn't make the team they "expect" to, parents and kids should know where they stand. Again, the big problem here is what a lot of parents expect is different from what the coach and clubs think. Parents do whatever you can to take of your parent goggles, ask those close to you their opinions of your children's play. Tell them to be honest. I'm personally the biggest critic of my children, but that being said, you would be amazed at how different things look from our eyes and the parents sideline vs the coaching sidelines. Our kids aren't perfect let them be kids, I'm way to tough on mine at times, I'm working on this year to distance myself from negative feedback and focus on the positives with minimal discussions on what I think they can improve on.
No club is perfect that's for sure, the grass ain't always greener -- but many of us have changed clubs and couldn't be happier. We changed clubs and never looked back. I've never done a middle of the season transfer though, which adds a layer of complexity. Some clubs as long as you pay the bill, will let you go, others can be crazy stubborn out of fear of losing entire teams etc. At the end of the day for many its a business
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Post by SoccerMom on Sept 19, 2016 8:25:15 GMT -5
If you pay all of your fees to the old club and find a new club that has an open spot, then you can request a transfer thru GA Soccer, I know people that have done it. I'm not exactly sure of the time frame, its a few weeks, but its doable. During that time your son will not be able to play anywhere. Good luck!
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Post by aliensource on Sept 19, 2016 11:13:57 GMT -5
DO NOT listen to people who paint entire clubs as BAD. Every club is different and the at ever level of boys / girls coaches have opinions and do things differently. Every club has it's recruiter coach and it's cares about development coach. You have to do some research by asking the right people... people who have experienced working with a coach.
GOOOD LUCK!
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Post by spectator on Sept 19, 2016 11:25:35 GMT -5
Am I missing something here - it's U12 Academy not Select, right? When we were in Academy you paid by the season and had people quit mid season and not have to pay for Spring. We had people join mid season as well - I don't have first hand knowledge of the process or what they did but I do remember it happening a few times from U10 - U12.
My two cents for the OP - don't leave now. Use Spring Season to get additional coaching or training at another club - it'll give you an idea of what is out there. You'll be paying for privates but you can do it someewhere other than where you are now. I think at Academy, you can ask to practice with another team too. If that's an option do it.
Then - for U13 Classic - go try out at a new club. Your player will be the new shiny one and more likely to get a look than those who have been at Academy there for years. Sad but true - you have a better chance of getting on a higher team at another club than moving up at your own.
But no, I wouldn't move mid season at U12.
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Post by alacrity174 on Sept 19, 2016 12:16:31 GMT -5
Am I missing something here - it's U12 Academy not Select, right? When we were in Academy you paid by the season and had people quit mid season and not have to pay for Spring. We had people join mid season as well - I don't have first hand knowledge of the process or what they did but I do remember it happening a few times from U10 - U12. My two cents for the OP - don't leave now. Use Spring Season to get additional coaching or training at another club - it'll give you an idea of what is out there. You'll be paying for privates but you can do it someewhere other than where you are now. I think at Academy, you can ask to practice with another team too. If that's an option do it. Then - for U13 Classic - go try out at a new club. You're player will be the new shiny one and more likely to get a look than those who have been at Academy there for years. Sad but true - you have a better chance of getting on a higher team at another club than moving up at your own. But no, I wouldn't move mid season at U12. This is the answer you should be listening too. Unless your child is being bullied or mistreated stick it out for the season. Try to address specifics with the coach, in a friendly non confrontational manner and let him develop where he is. Trust me the roller coaster of U13 is coming up and that's enough to make you flip out all on it's own. Take this year to scope out teams and clubs, figure out what is a good fit for you and then attend try outs there.
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Post by allthingsoccer on Sept 19, 2016 13:00:12 GMT -5
Its hit and miss in regards to communication. I have had some parents say communication was great and other parents at the same club say its horrible. Not all clubs are perfect and only so much a club can do in regards to communication. Most of the time we have on the team manger to communicate any club communications and have lucked out on having a good TM.
Not sure on CF Cobb location.
I can say that CF North (Johns Creek) has a great Coach (RA). Its the same coach as the DA U12 (04). So that is a plus if you are looking at DA next year. RA is not a parent coach. He is a player coach. He prefers to communicate with the player directly and expects them to communicate back. For sure does player evals but talks with the player directly while you sit and listen. After about 45 mins of talking directly to the player he will give you 5 mins and answer any questions you may have... lol love it. For sure if you have questions during the year he will answer them.
Down side is going to be club communications. CF is not the best but like I said before if you have a good TM you should be fine. The other note is fields. CF is not the best but I know the U12's have a couple of nice fields they train at.
I have friends at UFA that love it. I also have friends at SSA who also love it.
Hope this helps.
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Post by goteam on Sept 23, 2016 11:22:01 GMT -5
At U12 you look for a good coach PERIOD - does not matter the club - what matters is the COACH. Just because this BIG club is rpl or classic I does not at all reflect on the quality of coaching.
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