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Post by soccerdad44 on Mar 12, 2015 12:57:16 GMT -5
It's nice for marketing material, but when choosing an academy club (U9-U12), does it really matter if they have DA/ECNL? If you are good enough and try out, won't you make it? Or do clubs give their own players preference?
I always hear that teams are constantly recruiting anyway, so it's hard for me to believe DA teams care where you played academy. I really wonder how many of their kids are home grown. How many worked their way up through the ranks of that club?
I hear people justify why they play on the 2nd, 3rd, etc. academy team for the DA/ECNL clubs because there is a path to DA, but I think unless you are on the top team, it doesn't make any development or economic sense. Go to a club where you can develop/play on a top team with a good coach. If you are good enough, come back and try out for DA/ECNL.
The top teams get extra trainings and tournaments. I don't see how giving that up to be in a DA/ECNL academy lower team is worth it.
Anyone care to share their thoughts/experience?
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Post by paterfamilias on Mar 12, 2015 13:23:42 GMT -5
Negative. Find a club where your child enjoys the training and responds to the coaching. Preferably close to your house, with friends from the same neighborhood/school participating as well.
The time for heavy duty travel will come soon enough if your child shows the inclination, the skill and the motivation to pursue the alphabet soup: DA/ECNL/RPL/SPL/NL.
Enjoy the time!
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Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 12, 2015 14:39:19 GMT -5
every club has its advantages and disadvantages. I think the DA/ECNL clubs have shown a commitment to development but also will obviously always always accept the top tier player. as with any clubs, some stars are coddled at younger ages and others bloom at u14. Some teams you will see loaded with players that have been there for years, while others will be new kids from other clubs. agree with paterfamilias nothing to worry about at the younger ages. most of our younger players/parents don't honestly even know what DA or ECNL is. in theory, having DA/ECNL should attract better coaches, I said in theory. This is probably an entire separate discussion. regardless of a club having DA or ECNL, its always nice to see some top coaches coaching the younger age groups. not all coaches are fit for u9-u12 obviously, so its not a blanket statement, but some are and its great to get the little ones exposed to those coaches and their "styles of coaching" you would think that any level, if 2 kids were nearly identical into what they brought to a team, and the upside looked identical, then the club would choose the player that was with the club vs the new player. (knowing this scenario is fluid!) most of the larger clubs offer speed and agility (nutrition/injury prevention/recovery), finishing clinics and some other training sessions. some come at a cost, others are free. |
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Post by spectator on Mar 12, 2015 15:00:23 GMT -5
A DA or ECNL club is most likely to be one of the larger ones so:
Advantages:
Larger deeper pool of players - by the time they set teams, you're more likely to have even talent than a vast disparity
Larger pool hopefully to develop versus recruiting new kids
More coaches - as long as they're good quality this is an advantage
Disadvantages
Larger pool means some kids will fall through the cracks or get over looked
POlitics of big clubs
Agree with paterfamilias - for Academy - have fun, be convenient. By U11 scope out where you want to play Classic/Athena - by U12 possibly move there or get some private sessions with coaches at that club
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epl
Rec
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Post by epl on Mar 13, 2015 11:39:22 GMT -5
At younger ages, chase good coaches and not clubs.
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Post by allthingsoccer on Mar 13, 2015 11:56:45 GMT -5
All great responses!!
No huge difference at the younger age groups. As long as you see your child is developing and having fun that's all that matters.
As the player gets older you may come to the cross roads...
How does my child's team compare to other teams at his/her age group?? Do you see a big difference in the level of play?? I hear of other team/s that are really good but haven’t seen them play before.
I would take the time and do some research. I would maybe even go to a game or two of the other teams you hear of so you can make your own conclusions.
If you like what you have seen, see if you can guest play (with your coach’s permission).
The most important is that your child is having fun and developing at the same time. It’s a tough balance.
Let’s say your child is the “star” player of his/her team. However, the team that they are on isn’t as competitive as a several other teams but you feel making the switch is in her/his best interest to further develop.
I have seen that sometimes your player is no longer the “star” player. A couple of things I have seen happen. The player adjusts to new roll, embraces and thrives. Or… development goes backwards and gets discouraged.
So not always is the grass better on the other side.
Does a player develop better playing at a higher level on a consist basis? I’m not sure of this answer at the younger age groups. You would think logically that it would, right? I mean playing at a higher and faster level enables you to slow the game down. Almost like running in sand and then running on a track.
One last thing…Include your child on making this decision. They will take ownership. Several life lessons are taught during this process.
Good luck.
Cheers,
J4K
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Post by soccerdude16 on Mar 19, 2015 4:39:10 GMT -5
good post j4k
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