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Post by spectator on Jul 9, 2017 17:25:21 GMT -5
The boys teams are lucky - trained at AU this spring, goes to Univ of Alabama for region camp - girls got RYSA and Montevallo. What gives???
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Post by spectator on Jul 9, 2017 11:16:29 GMT -5
I had forgotten how well run this event is. Very professional and organized. It's also refreshing to have parents cheering and clapping from the sidelines but not screaming and yelling at the players and the refs. Go team Georgia! How many parents are there? I have never gone to watch - love sub regionals but I draw the line at a week in Montevallo Alabama in July heat But yes - for all the criticism about ODP -warranted or not - the events are very well run
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Post by spectator on Jul 8, 2017 15:29:15 GMT -5
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ODP
Jun 20, 2017 17:52:56 GMT -5
footy likes this
Post by spectator on Jun 20, 2017 17:52:56 GMT -5
We've been involved in ODP for years and it's been a great resource for my player.
PROS The trainings are much different than your regular club practices and the style is different as well. Example - ODP goalies rarely if ever punt the ball - they roll it to the defender. Allows for better control and positioning and is less likely to lose possession on a 50-50 bounce. Most clubs don't do this.
The coaches can be college level coaches not club so it's a different set of eyes evaluating your player and training him.
Cost is minimal (flat fee when accepted pays for training bag, gear, coaches, etc.) Nominal cost for SubRegional event.
CONS Trainings are a few times a month in fall and can be cancelled due to weather with no make up sessions.
The 'Club comes first' rule means some training sessions will conflict with ECNL/RPL schedules and you won't have the full pool there most trainings.
Region Camp is expensive (almost $800 this year). But worth it if your player has a shot at making Region Pool or if you know certain college coaches will be there. (and yes, they are there - some are coaches for other states but there are some on the sidelines watching players)
Rumors of the politics of ODP - some may have merit but face it, club soccer is the same way.
My recommendation is always to go to tryouts - held in mid September. IF you make it - great - if not, you tried. Can't hurt.
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Post by spectator on Jun 20, 2017 17:44:18 GMT -5
Coach Broome is an excellent coach and good guy! His number should be listed on the UFA Milton website - give him a call. I'd also call Iggy at UFA Forsyth - both these men are very responsive and will speak to parents. (And no, we aren't at UFA, just been around forever and know quite a few coaches)
While most teams are set, any decent coach leaves a spot or two for anyone moving in. On the girls side, most of the UFA teams only carry 16-17 so there's room.
For South Forsyth - UFA is probably the closest option. Alpharetta Ambush and Roswell Soccer Clubs both have residency restrictions and most of the rosters have to live in the city.
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Post by spectator on Jun 20, 2017 6:12:57 GMT -5
I find it interesting that for FC Alliance you only have two days of tryouts and they give you at least one day of rest in-between tryout days. However, you also have to pay $50 to tryout. I wonder if that is common outside of Atlanta or an anomaly. I like the idea of only two days of tryouts and a rest day, but would a tryout fee ever work in Metro Atlanta? fcallianceknox.org/tryout-informationAlpharetta and Roswell have nominal tryout fees now. I think its $10 to cover cost of a tryout tshirt The FC Alliance/Cherokee thing is real. whether or not it has clout will remain to be seen.
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Post by spectator on Jun 18, 2017 20:51:13 GMT -5
Love the comments and suggestions. However, I have to agree with Soccerhouse... Hire Spectator Let the salary negotiations begin! LOL
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Post by spectator on Jun 18, 2017 20:49:59 GMT -5
The blurbs about them as they were introduced were good but I also notices the absence of any reference to a club prior to AU. I did think it was well done though - all three looked humbled, happy and so appreciative of the opportunity. I wish them well and look forward to seeing them back here.
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Post by spectator on Jun 15, 2017 21:20:06 GMT -5
Lots of interesting takes and comments. Out of curiosity, if you were the virtual head of all of Georgia Youth Soccer, what if any changes would you have implemented? What about the mandate? If you had the proverbial magic wand, what would you do with it? I'll sit back and listen to your comments, suggestions and ideas? I would have grandfathered any team U15-U16 and up in and allowed those age groups to play out their high school years. These are the age groups that got hit the hardest - the 2001's - 1999's. In a few years, no one will think twice about the birth year because it would have had time to shake out better - forcing it on all age groups last year was the death sentence for older teams. As for other changes/ideas/fantasies: Every team playing in Select (Classic/Athena/RPL) would be required to have two parents/players on those teams become certified referees. When you have skin in the game, you pay more attention to how you treat referees. It would alleviate the shortage. As GA Soccer Referee scheduler czar, I'd work with clubs to ensure those parent/player referees not have conflicts with their own games. If I had real power not only in GA soccer but USYS, I would not have awarded DA to current ECNL clubs and I would have awarded fewer DA spots to metro Atlanta clubs and spread it out across the state more. If my power extended to ECNL, I would remove at least two clubs in metro Atlanta from ECNL. Four is entirely too many. I would go back to 2-4 teams in RPL from GA in each age group - preferably only 2 and get rid of Division 1 RPL. I would ban any player who played in any single game on an ECNL team from playing in a State Cup game. And I would enforce strict penalties for any club that disregarded the ban. I would revamp ODP as a feeder into DA and have the two entities work hand in hand to identify and cultivate talent - start it at U10 up through U13 to allow a slight overlap with DA. Eliminate older ages ODP - DA is the path now. ODP served a purpose back in the day - revamp it to make it relevant again. So yeah - when I'm czar of all things soccer, it'll all get better.
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Post by spectator on Jun 14, 2017 21:29:53 GMT -5
Never was a fan of the birth year mandate - never will be. My kid's team played up so they stayed together but friends at the mega clubs have had a miserable experience - entire teams breaking up, some age groups not able to field enough teams, on the older teams, seniors quitting before State Cup so the juniors had nothing. So many girls are quitting club soccer entirely this year and those that wanted to continue for their senior year had to move clubs.
I think the question we will be asking next year will be around the multiple "elite" levels there are now and how watered down teams became - and how Girls DA impacted high school teams.
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Post by spectator on Jun 12, 2017 14:25:05 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with being nosey... I like that UFA does this, it lets you know where other kids land without having to ask families awkward questions about their children. Its transparent and the team rosters aren't a secret. I like this!! From a logistic standpoint it helps as well, even other/previous years coaches can review the list to see where there old kids landed. Apparently being nosey is subjective. I asked one friend how tryouts went and got the longest dissertation on what was wrong with the club and how this and that happened and honestly, I stopped listening because it was such a rant so I have no idea where the kid landed - pretty sure they are still at mega club but still on the same level team rather than getting moved up. Was talking to another friend who was as tight lipped as could be about where her kid would be playing as if it was some state secret. Honestly, I really don't care who is playing where - but a few of the underclassmen on our high school team were key players on the team and most were considering DA so if we lose all of them, it may not be worth it for my kid to play her senior year. But we have all fall to figure that out so I will cease asking who is where on what level and just go to the beach! LOL
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Post by spectator on Jun 12, 2017 9:50:56 GMT -5
Do other clubs post the new teams after tryouts like UFA, curious? I see UFA Forsyth but not the other locations - Milton and Norcross. Curious because I heard some players our high school team moved - just being nosey LOL
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Post by spectator on Jun 12, 2017 6:13:55 GMT -5
Do other clubs post the new teams after tryouts like UFA, curious? Yes but by tryout number not name. NTh, AFC, Cherokee Impact come to mind.
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Post by spectator on Jun 10, 2017 11:27:28 GMT -5
If not there was a lot of club hopping for nothing
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Post by spectator on Jun 8, 2017 22:49:59 GMT -5
Tonight was the last club tryout we will ever attend as my kid will graduate in 2018. Kind of bittersweet remembering all the emotions and stress since that first U9 Academy tryout. If I could go back and advise myself at that moment it would be to chill out. Drop off the kid and run errands, have dinner, get a drink. Anything but sit there and stress about an 8 year old on a field. Stop worrying about what level will be at what club and find a coach to teach the game and instill love of the game. Work on basics at Academy rather than hope to be on the "top" roster for tournaments. Don't count the wins but measure the improvement. Watch the game but don't rehash it.
The one thing I know I did right - I loved and still love watching her play --and I have told her every time. With high fives or kleenex to dry the tears. Its been a heck of a ride and I would do it all over again a thousand times to keep spending this time with her. I have this last year of club and high school then a trek to see the college games and for the first time ever - I wont be able to be at all of them so I will have to hear her rehash it for me.
So advice to myself if I could go back and anyone still on this crazy ride - enjoy it for everything good, bad and in between because you will look up from what you think is a U9 game and see your senior playing her last game. It goes that fast
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Post by spectator on Jun 8, 2017 13:09:35 GMT -5
The big question is will GA Soccer enforce roster continuity this year? Last year they did not because of the birth year mandate - this year at least at some older girls ages, entire RPL teams have blown up but if the club keeps the spot, it really will be watered down beyond belief.
ON the boys side, I hope the ECNL clubs learn from the girls' mistake and don't treat the ECNL team as an addition but rather the replacement top team - meaning don't keep your RPL spots you can't maintain
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Post by spectator on Jun 8, 2017 10:50:41 GMT -5
FYI - I was as well. Youth sports is not an investment portfolio. I'm sure even kids who get 'full rides' to colleges have parents who have spent about as much over the years on fees, tournaments, gear, food, etc. The ROI for youth soccer is if your kid enjoys the game, gets to play at the highest level they can and gets to play after high school if they can. You are both right - I definitely used the incorrect wording there. Not looking for a 'ROI' except I do have an expectation that I will have an ROI in services I pay for. Some coaches do and others do not. There are some great kids playing soccer. You are all definitely paying and playing at a higher level... $6-$10k is a LOT for 'fun'.... and I get it. The higher level the play...the more. For us, we are not made of money so definitely exploring options for my kids and their passions has to have checks/balances. We can't just pour out money and I don't think most parents can. (and I don't just have kids in soccer - have kids doing things all over this state, so it's a big chess game on levels you may or may not be able to conceive of and definitely can't without me telling you more and 'outing' myself and I don't want to do that here...I think there are just as many people on this board as the other who are just looking for a fight" So, I should have kept it simple and stated - 'what do you think about this program for scholarships' (please note, I did not ask about your opinion for the club - that's all on me as the parent to decide) - which seems to be money earned just for playing soccer. But again, my question is 'what do you think' and have you heard about it. I have to admit, I am taken back by your response that this is a small club and will do what they can. Every club will. I kind of think this - if it is really only about your kid loving the sport and having fun - why not just get all of the top players, form a fantastical rec team, pay lower fees AND kick some soccer butt while also reaching out to Coaches at colleges. So, I agree and disagree with your logic and really try to hold my tongue on this forum because I get it - you all have kids at elite levels. But please don't tell me it's just about fun and you aren't hoping to get noticed by a college coach. If you really aren't and you really have that kind of money to just throw around for your kid to have fun then maybe just maybe you should consider that others do not and do have to pinch every stinking penny just to play somewhere and hopefully help their kid in college. And yes, College is to expand the child's education beyond high school. Admittedly, those with leadership credits, volunteer work and sports will outshine kids with just academics. Colleges want more kids who have experience in and out of the class room. Did you not read my first response about levels and college looks? My point was not only the 'elite' teams players get looks - some have nothing now as they head into senior year. Players from Classic 2 and Athena B teams are headed to play college ball in fall. It has nothing to do with club or level and everything to do with being realistic and finding your fit. And no, not 'all' here have kids at elite levels.
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Post by spectator on Jun 7, 2017 15:38:08 GMT -5
I was just taken back by the question in ref to getting a return on investment. FYI - I was as well. Youth sports is not an investment portfolio. I'm sure even kids who get 'full rides' to colleges have parents who have spent about as much over the years on fees, tournaments, gear, food, etc. The ROI for youth soccer is if your kid enjoys the game, gets to play at the highest level they can and gets to play after high school if they can.
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Post by spectator on Jun 7, 2017 11:58:26 GMT -5
Personally, I think the mind set is all wrong. "But, that's a big investment not to see any payoff for college"- So your thinking by allowing your kid to play, you want some sort of return off your investment?? I'm sorry but i dont agree this at all. This is what adds additional pressure and one of the reasons why kids drop out of soccer around 16. Kids should play soccer because its fun and life lessons learned are priceless. We spend 3-5K a year. not expecting anything other than our son to have fun, make friends and enjoy the ride. If it takes him somewhere then great. If it doesnt, then great. As to the link you posted... All in is a new club and they will do anything to draw in players and money. Might want to understand a little better before diving in. Sorry if this reply seems a little harsh but I personally think this is the wrong mind set and add way tooooo much pressure. Let him play for the fun of it and you enjoy the fact that he/she is happy. This to me you is worth any amount of money (within reason..lol) Some interesting stats...2015 Here are the odds of even playing soccer in College let alone getting into College. Also, C1/C2 is 5th/6th level soccer. I'm not sure you are being realistic. Yes some could go to college playing C1 ball but very low chance. 417,419 High School Players 37,890 College Players 9.1% Go to college to play soccer. 1.4% to NCAA D1 1.4% to NCAA D2 2.8% to NCAA D3 (no scholarship funding) Other 6.5% to smaller colleges (no scholarship funding) www.scholarshipstats.com/soccer.htmlI'm going to flip this ^^^ view on you You never need to rule out playing soccer in college based on your kid’s current club level. A wise coach once told us if a kid wants to play soccer in college, there’s a school that will be a fit for him or her –but make sure it’s a fit for him or her academically and socially as well. Because soccer won’t be the career choice for 99.99% of kids playing today and any parent thinking their kid will play professionally may well be delusional. Here’s a good example of how a kid can play in college – good friend of ours has never played above Athena B in her life. But she’s got skills and drive and desire and found a small D3 school where she can play college soccer and then transfer to a large school to complete her degree – she wants to be a vet. D3 doesn’t have athletic money but her grades are getting her quite a bit. (Side note NAIA schools have TONS Of money to give atheletes and they are often overlooked by the college seeking parent snobs who think D1 or nothing.) Anyway – for our friend this is great for her both athletically in that she loves the game and academically – she will benefit from smaller classes, can be a scholar/athlete and have the GPA to transfer into a good vet school – which from what I’ve heard is very very hard to get into so a high GPA undergrad plus playing a college sport will be a great asset when her application is reviewed. Where people get all bent out of shape is thinking their kid will get a full ride to a power D1 school and be part of a national championship run, be recruited to play for the national team or professionally. And it’s different for boys than girls – girls have more opportunities for soccer because larger schools have other mens sports that their scholarships are geared toward – football, basketball, baseball, etc. But there are opportunities for boys to play in college – just look at the schools and make sure they are good fits for the skill and grades the kid has. Regarding club level – we personally know girls who are on ECNL and high performing RPL teams that have zero college looks going into their senior year. Being at the high profile event isn’t enough – you have to be memorable to the scores of coaches there and have a manager/coach who provides these college coaches your contact information to begin the dialogue. But that’s not the only way to get in front of coaches. Go to the specific school’s ID camps (research first – visit if possible before going to the camp – that way the coach knows you are really interested and you’re more likely to get a good look at the camp versus the kids who sign up, pay and show up. Have your player start emailing coaches of schools they are interested in – especially before tournaments or send your schedule when you are playing near these schools. You can send video – coaches prefer small files not links to youtube. But - at the end of the day, we as parents need to remember that it's their lives not ours. The kids should play the game because they love it and want to. Grades always come first. If they are fortunate enough to find a school they want to attend and graduate from AND play this game, that's a gift. But there are schools for kids - not of every level obviously - but if a kid has skills, desire, and the drive to find a fit where they can attend school and play for that school - it is possible! They hype is taht DA is the path to the pros and National team; ECNL gets all the college looks and RPL also has opportunities but a C1/Athena A and C2/Athena B kid can find a fit, too.
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Post by spectator on Jun 6, 2017 22:27:27 GMT -5
It's been a while since I was a team manager but I don't remember anywhere on a roster that had you list the sex of the player - I believe it was assumed as I submitted a roster for U - insert whatever age - Girls. Is this a new thing?
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Post by spectator on Jun 6, 2017 15:11:01 GMT -5
Most of the 99s are off to college. Why would you expect them to continue playing club soccer? Serious question. Not all 99's are off to college. Any kid born September - December 99 is a rising senior. Just like any kid born September - December 00 is a rising junior. This age mandate really screws those kids over - no team unless they have a large group or their peers are playing up with them. This will be the case every year from now on - the late birthday kids are hosed their senior year.
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Post by spectator on Jun 6, 2017 14:44:39 GMT -5
sorry it was a Fowler, but my daughter said not too many girls showed up for 99/00, wondering if more will show up tomorrow after attending their main club today. My theory on the 00/99 GDA has been that there may be a number of players at this level who are rising juniors and seniors and who have most likely already committed to play in college so they may want to stay with their current RPL or ECNL teams -less stress, can concentrate on grades now and just get ready for college. For younger ages, 01/02 and below, I totally get that GDA is a great option for the elite player - training, exposure, colleges will be swarming to see that level so lots of opportunity there. It will be interesting to see what happens to SRPL and ECNL rosters in this age group - I am still thinking not that it won't be that drastic - with the two age groups combined, it's not like one single team's roster will be negatively affected with movement. Question for the clubs that have DA - is the club strongly encouraging the top team's players to go DA or is there still a choice?
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Post by spectator on Jun 6, 2017 14:14:23 GMT -5
RPL watered itself down when they created First Division - which as has been said many times - here included - is just Athena A but more expensive and with more travel.
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Post by spectator on Jun 6, 2017 11:18:17 GMT -5
For the boys this year, expect the same kind of confusion and cluster that the girls experienced when ECNL started. Example - and not picking on the club here - Top Hat. Pre-ECNL - in every age group, TopHat top teams dominated State Cup and RPL. When TopHat got ECNL, it was treated as a new team not a replacement team (layer) so of course those players on the high performing RPL teams got the ECNL spots but the club retained the RPL spot as well - filling it with the Athena A players or any new players who came to tryouts. Therefore they could advertise an ECNL team (#1) and an RPL team (#2) but the reality is that that RPL spot was earned by the now ECNL players and not the current players on the team. In some cases those teams did well - in others they did not - but the point was/is that the team that earned and kept those RPL slots were now ECNL players and the replacements may not have been up to the same level but the club was allowed to keep the team. (In the Top Hat example, there is the added cluster of the merger with NASA that also had high performing RPL teams but that's another story - boys, just pray there's not another merger between two large clubs).
And the same thing will happen in ECNL clubs that now have DA. So in the scheme of things now the hierarchy of youth soccer is:
1. Top Team - DA 2. Second Team - ECNL 3. Third Team - SRPL 4. Fourth Team - RPL 5. Fifth Team - Classic 1/Athena A 6. Sixth Team - Classic 2/Athena B and so on down the scale
Hopefully this will all shake out sooner for the boys than it has for the girls because in the midst of all the ECNL craziness on the girls side, the birth year mandate also hit. Best of luck to all trying out this week. I am ever grateful and happy that this will be our last tryout as the kid is a rising senior now. I don't envy anyone with a younger kid (U13-U14) trying to navigate the options, politics, logistics and overall craziness of the new layers that are now youth soccer
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Post by spectator on Jun 4, 2017 20:48:37 GMT -5
We got to watch U18 Tormenta play - all I can say is WOW! Exciting good soccer and I am so happy for this team and club - nice to see a club from outside metro Atlanta taking home the title!
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Post by spectator on Jun 4, 2017 19:33:45 GMT -5
Didn't the u17 UFA Milton team all come over from NASA this year? Wanted to stay together and NASA wouldn't let them because of the age mandate? Definitely impressive to win that many championships, even if you don't count that one. Yes that's most of last year's U15 NASA State Cup Champs and their coach. Added a few - omitted a few when they moved. I congratulate them on the back to back titles but still think that situation was very poorly handled by all parties involved and a bad precedence set by GA Soccer that an entire team and its level can move from one club to another
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Post by spectator on Jun 4, 2017 15:30:58 GMT -5
It will make for an interesting comparison next year with DA at UFA
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Post by spectator on Jun 4, 2017 15:29:09 GMT -5
Fields were horrible. Too narrow and uneven I get that they need one venue for multiple games but McCurry is a better option.
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Post by spectator on May 31, 2017 21:41:15 GMT -5
A great coach once told my kid that the game is the best teacher.
Playing time trumps level IMO
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Post by spectator on May 28, 2017 10:03:42 GMT -5
Hey SoccerMom, Peachtree City IS considered Metro Atlanta, you must be from the Northside. FYI - it takes me longer to get to North Forsyth or Gwinnett than it does Peachtree City based on traffic congestion alone. So yes, PTC IS metro Atlanta than to anyone in most parts of Cobb, Cherokee, Fulton, etc
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