Draining the swamp..Oregon clubs registered in the ECNL

[Unregistered]

We are glad to be part of the boys' DA at the younger ages and consider it an achievement when one of our boys players is selected for the Timbers Academy at the older ages.

ECNL has been good for club/families and we are committed to the platform.

We will continue to monitor what is going on regionally and nationally (it is fluid with the boys equivalent of ECNL and Girls equivalent of DA coming on line next year), but for the foreseeable future we believe the best platform for our most ambitious players once they hit HS

If it doesn't cost as much as playing for our neighborhood local club that wants nearly 10K a year for travel for the next 5 years we will assuredly tryout for the Portland Thorns GDA program this Spring/Summer, since it's appears to be much cheaper and offers better competition at the moment than the Northwest league we are placed in currently with Idaho and Utah. It's also backed by US Soccer and our local NWSL team the Thorns.

This isn't anything to monitor other than our savings account not being drained.

[Unregistered]

We are glad to be part of the boys' DA at the younger ages and consider it an achievement when one of our boys players is selected for the Timbers Academy at the older ages.

ECNL has been good for club/families and we are committed to the platform.

We will continue to monitor what is going on regionally and nationally (it is fluid with the boys equivalent of ECNL and Girls equivalent of DA coming on line next year), but for the foreseeable future we believe the best platform for our most ambitious players once they hit HS are:

(i) boys DA
(ii) girls ECNL

What is the reasoning behind not committing to Girls DA if you are doing boys DA...or if ECNL is so great why not get ENPL for boys?

[Unregistered]

Where is the official literature that says how much the Thorns GDA will Cost?

[Unregistered]

We are glad to be part of the boys' DA at the younger ages and consider it an achievement when one of our boys players is selected for the Timbers Academy at the older ages.

ECNL has been good for club/families and we are committed to the platform.

We will continue to monitor what is going on regionally and nationally (it is fluid with the boys equivalent of ECNL and Girls equivalent of DA coming on line next year), but for the foreseeable future we believe the best platform for our most ambitious players once they hit HS are:

(i) boys DA
(ii) girls ECNL

How come the best clubs across the country are moving to the GDA after playing in the ECNL the last few years? it seems like the GDA is now the recognized top tier of girls club soccer going forward. Why stay in a second tier league (ECNL) when you can go to the GDA? If the ECNL wasn't being gutted by the GDA in 2017-18 it would make sense to just to stay put in that league, but that's not what's happening across the US and Portland. So be it. Are you trying to say Oregon local clubs are only suited for a 2nd tier league, wow.

[Unregistered]

Where is the official literature that says how much the Thorns GDA will Cost?

When you get selected after tryouts you can share the cost of the program with us all.

Can't wait to see the rosters of these select Thorns Academy teams for 20118, it's so exciting to be have (3) teams of the best girls represent our area!! Finally!!

No more smoke and mirrors and BS.

[Unregistered]

What is the reasoning behind not committing to Girls DA if you are doing boys DA...or if ECNL is so great why not get ENPL for boys?

Boys who have talent don't need to pay big bucks for cattle calls.

[Unregistered]

What is the reasoning behind not committing to Girls DA if you are doing boys DA...or if ECNL is so great why not get ENPL for boys?

Boys DA has been a great opportunity to rethink how we are approaching the u12 years; we had assumptions going in (from a development perspective), some were validated, some were changed. However, the structure of the program (limited games more training) and ability to partner with like-minded clubs, has given us space and time to think more deeply about what we are doing in those ages.

Girls' DA will be very expensive to administer out of Portland: we actually think it is going to be more expensive to administer than ECNL because there is no travel partner. This is unlike the local boys' u12 DA league, where there has actually been less travel than for some of our OYSA teams. Girls DA is also unproven and is competing directly with an established platform (unlike the boys DA).

We feel we are hitting our stride with ECNL and we have been happy with what doors ECNL has opened for our players and our club. Finally, transitioning into a national platforms is painful - there were pain points in moving to ECNL; to change to another platform rapidly was not deemed in the best interest of our families, particularly for something that was unproven. Right now the best thing for the girls' side of our club is to offer the best possible ECNL program.

Boys ECNL is a possibility in the future; but it isn't in Portland (yet). Timbers Academy may have some but ups and downs, but any boy selected for it should view it as an achievement and we are going to celebrate whatever role we had in getting boys there.

[Unregistered]

Girls' DA will be very expensive to administer out of Portland: we actually think it is going to be more expensive to administer than ECNL because there is no travel partner. This is unlike the local boys' u12 DA league, where there has actually been less travel than for some of our OYSA teams. Girls DA is also unproven and is competing directly with an established platform (unlike the boys DA).

The reality is the Portland Thorns will take care of all the administration costs of their Academy teams, they know how to handle expenses and given their plethora of revenue streams in the Peregrine business model, the end user (USDA Boy or Girl) has no expectation to be part of this process, it's covered.

The local clubs playing in the ECNL have no staffing or infrastructure or built in administration for travel and as such are forced to outsource travel to an independent 3rd party, who charge a hefty fee, which makes it more expensive for the end user.

The neighborhood boys local club league, with the moniker of DA, is simply a local league, not something new other than a 'label' league as 95% of these boys will never be part of the Timbers Academy teams at u16 or u18, it sounds like it means something, just like the ECNL sounds like it means something, it's simply a label.

Girls DA is not competing with anyone, they represent and our an affiliate member club of US Soccer just like the Boys DA they are different in structure and affiliation than all other independent club or state leagues, like OYSA, FWRL or ECNL.

Comparing Apples to Oranges.

Sorry you don't know the details and have such a limited scope of what's really happening.

[Unregistered]

Where is the official literature that says how much the Thorns GDA will Cost?

The million dollar question that no one will answer.

[Unregistered]

Understanding what the Girls DA actually is...

In an ever-evolving and increasingly competitive landscape, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy made clear that the future is here and now for elite girls' soccer in the United States.

Youth club leaders and directors from across the nation gathered inside the Chicago Renaissance Hotel Ballroom last week to discuss the state of girls' youth soccer at the U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy meeting. U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis, along with U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director Jared Micklos, detailed the components of the program and addressed key topics for the U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy's inaugural season, kicking off in the Fall of 2017.

The consistent messaging throughout the presentation, small groups and concluding Q&A session was focused on player development: a united mission to create environments that develop all players within the club, and ultimately develop world class players that have the potential to contribute to the Women's National team.

"At the outset you are talking not about a league but you are talking about a platform for development," Ellis said. "I think in the fundamental basis of what this is going to serve, it's for development. The Development Academy is going to bring clubs and coaches to become more aligned in terms of what the big picture is: to find players and help them become the best soccer players they can be."

Another aspect that Ellis touched on was how the Girls' Development Academy will be a revolutionary step towards de-emphasizing winning and losing. "This is not a league where it is about points and trophies," Ellis said. "This is a development platform, where it's about competing, growing and helping players get better. That base philosophy is going to send messages to coaches and the coaches will embrace it."

Throughout the meeting, club leaders were educated on the opportunities the Development Academy alignment presents with U.S. Soccer. Similar to the current structure of the Boys' Development Academy, the primary principles of the Girls' Development Academy include more training, less total games, more meaningful games, international rules and standards, higher standards and license requirements for coaches, elite referees and increased opportunities for players to be identified and selected to Youth National Teams. These principles, along with the education, club support and resources U.S. Soccer provides to Girls' Development Academy clubs, generated a buzz and positive outlook from academy club directors in attendance.

"Any decision you make is about trust and responsibility," Sockers FC Chicago Academy Director Dave Richardson said. "If you look at U.S. Soccer and you look at the Development Academy, you say, 'Can I trust that they can put together the best programming for players? Can I trust that they are going to put together an environment that is going to be good for developing players, which is ultimately going to be good for you as a club?' Well, having been with them for ten years on the boys' side, I can say that the answer is yes."

"As a club, you have to start to think a little bit differently," Richardson continued. "Maybe you are not thinking so much about the team and the outcome of the team, but rather the way in which you are developing your players. As clubs, we are the platform and we have a responsibility to elevate our players."

In the opening slide of the presentation, Micklos called up a picture of Albert Einstein with a quote reading,

"If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got."

This thought provoking statement for the 125 club directors and leaders in the hotel ballroom served as the beginning of dialogue and as a guide for small group discussion throughout the day. To remain amongst the international leaders in the global landscape, the U.S. Soccer Federation Development Academy Program will provide players the opportunity to develop on their own pathway.

"We are pleased to have national club leaders together to discuss the future of the girls' game and believe we have made real progress today," Micklos said. "For many clubs, this can be an unfamiliar process. The lessons learned in building the Academy will provide a guide for the clubs and ourselves as we expand programming for elite youth female players."

"Over the last 10 years, the Development Academy has built meaningful relationships and earned respect from the right stakeholders to launch what we firmly believe is the right pathway and footprint of youth soccer development."

By the numbers:
• 71 Number of clubs joining the Girls' Development Academy in Fall 2017
• 6 Number of Girls' Development Academy regions: Northeast, Southwest, Mid-America, Frontier, Northwest, Southeast
• 5,000 Number of projected Development Academy girls' players for inaugural season
• 10,700 Current players in the Development Academy
• 179 Number of unique boys' and girls' Academies, developing the next generation of talent
• 135 Number of USSF 'A' licensed coaches currently committed to Girls' Development Academy clubs
• 1,544 Number of players to receive full scholarships from Academy Clubs

The reality is the Portland Thorns will take care of all the administration costs of their Academy teams, they know how to handle expenses and given their plethora of revenue streams in the Peregrine business model, the end user (USDA Boy or Girl) has no expectation to be part of this process, it's covered.

The local clubs playing in the ECNL have no staffing or infrastructure or built in administration for travel and as such are forced to outsource travel to an independent 3rd party, who charge a hefty fee, which makes it more expensive for the end user.

The neighborhood boys local club league, with the moniker of DA, is simply a local league, not something new other than a 'label' league as 95% of these boys will never be part of the Timbers Academy teams at u16 or u18, it sounds like it means something, just like the ECNL sounds like it means something, it's simply a label.

Girls DA is not competing with anyone, they represent and our an affiliate member club of US Soccer just like the Boys DA they are different in structure and affiliation than all other independent club or state leagues, like OYSA, FWRL or ECNL.

Comparing Apples to Oranges.

Sorry you don't know the details and have such a limited scope of what's really happening.

[Unregistered]

Year 1--Girls DA
http://www.ussoccerda.com/girls-academy-club-directory

In an ever-evolving and increasingly competitive landscape, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy made clear that the future is here and now for elite girls' soccer in the United States.

Youth club leaders and directors from across the nation gathered inside the Chicago Renaissance Hotel Ballroom last week to discuss the state of girls' youth soccer at the U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy meeting. U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis, along with U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director Jared Micklos, detailed the components of the program and addressed key topics for the U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy's inaugural season, kicking off in the Fall of 2017.

The consistent messaging throughout the presentation, small groups and concluding Q&A session was focused on player development: a united mission to create environments that develop all players within the club, and ultimately develop world class players that have the potential to contribute to the Women's National team.

"At the outset you are talking not about a league but you are talking about a platform for development," Ellis said. "I think in the fundamental basis of what this is going to serve, it's for development. The Development Academy is going to bring clubs and coaches to become more aligned in terms of what the big picture is: to find players and help them become the best soccer players they can be."

Another aspect that Ellis touched on was how the Girls' Development Academy will be a revolutionary step towards de-emphasizing winning and losing. "This is not a league where it is about points and trophies," Ellis said. "This is a development platform, where it's about competing, growing and helping players get better. That base philosophy is going to send messages to coaches and the coaches will embrace it."

Throughout the meeting, club leaders were educated on the opportunities the Development Academy alignment presents with U.S. Soccer. Similar to the current structure of the Boys' Development Academy, the primary principles of the Girls' Development Academy include more training, less total games, more meaningful games, international rules and standards, higher standards and license requirements for coaches, elite referees and increased opportunities for players to be identified and selected to Youth National Teams. These principles, along with the education, club support and resources U.S. Soccer provides to Girls' Development Academy clubs, generated a buzz and positive outlook from academy club directors in attendance.

"Any decision you make is about trust and responsibility," Sockers FC Chicago Academy Director Dave Richardson said. "If you look at U.S. Soccer and you look at the Development Academy, you say, 'Can I trust that they can put together the best programming for players? Can I trust that they are going to put together an environment that is going to be good for developing players, which is ultimately going to be good for you as a club?' Well, having been with them for ten years on the boys' side, I can say that the answer is yes."

"As a club, you have to start to think a little bit differently," Richardson continued. "Maybe you are not thinking so much about the team and the outcome of the team, but rather the way in which you are developing your players. As clubs, we are the platform and we have a responsibility to elevate our players."

In the opening slide of the presentation, Micklos called up a picture of Albert Einstein with a quote reading,

"If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got."

This thought provoking statement for the 125 club directors and leaders in the hotel ballroom served as the beginning of dialogue and as a guide for small group discussion throughout the day. To remain amongst the international leaders in the global landscape, the U.S. Soccer Federation Development Academy Program will provide players the opportunity to develop on their own pathway.

"We are pleased to have national club leaders together to discuss the future of the girls' game and believe we have made real progress today," Micklos said. "For many clubs, this can be an unfamiliar process. The lessons learned in building the Academy will provide a guide for the clubs and ourselves as we expand programming for elite youth female players."

"Over the last 10 years, the Development Academy has built meaningful relationships and earned respect from the right stakeholders to launch what we firmly believe is the right pathway and footprint of youth soccer development."

By the numbers:
• 71 Number of clubs joining the Girls' Development Academy in Fall 2017
• 6 Number of Girls' Development Academy regions: Northeast, Southwest, Mid-America, Frontier, Northwest, Southeast
• 5,000 Number of projected Development Academy girls' players for inaugural season
• 10,700 Current players in the Development Academy
• 179 Number of unique boys' and girls' Academies, developing the next generation of talent
• 135 Number of USSF 'A' licensed coaches currently committed to Girls' Development Academy clubs
• 1,544 Number of players to receive full scholarships from Academy Clubs

[Unregistered]

The million dollar question that no one will answer.

Actually, our club has been told how much the security deposit will be for the Portland Thorns Girls Development Academy for the player(s) selected.

It will be made public to everyone soon and shared with you all.


Can't believe how much commitment in dollars US Soccer and the Portland Thorns are extending to the young ladies, it's remarkable and appreciated.

[Unregistered]

There is a lot of talk about cost. I really think it boils down to cost. If it is a really a cheaper option to ECNL you will she player leave ECNL. It is not cheaper the GDA will only get this that can not make the ECNL teams. The Thorns have failed to make anything official about cost. So, a lot of questioned need to be answered but the biggest is what cost will a player and their family incur. Once that is answered decisions will be clear and easy to make.

[Unregistered]

***

Can't believe how much commitment in dollars US Soccer and the Portland Thorns are extending to the young ladies, it's remarkable and appreciated.

Yes everything the Timbers does is fantastic and they are going to pay for my healthcare too if my son makes the academy.

[Unregistered]

There is a lot of talk about cost. I really think it boils down to cost. If it is a really a cheaper option to ECNL you will she player leave ECNL. It is not cheaper the GDA will only get this that can not make the ECNL teams. The Thorns have failed to make anything official about cost. So, a lot of questioned need to be answered but the biggest is what cost will a player and their family incur. Once that is answered decisions will be clear and easy to make.

No one is leaving the ECNL for the Portland Thorns Academy, as we have no players in a club program called the ECNL.

Local girls will, like they always have, come from Oregon's local club teams and tryout for the Portland Thorns Girls Development Academy teams.

Yes, they will be leaving clubs like Eastside Timbers, Wa. Timbers, THUSC, LOSC, WUSC, BSC, FC Portland, PCU, Capital, Salmon Creek, Westside Timbers, NEU etc...

This will be a tough decision to leave the current neighborhood club, but since the Portland Thorns Development Academy team, it's an elite US Soccer Development Academy program it's worth it. Staying at there current club is also an option, but for the truly exceptional player they want more than a local club can offer.

No big deal.