GDA So far is no different than ECNL

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Most of these teams in southeast region are just rebranded ECNL teams doing the exact same thing as last year. Why bother going to all this trouble and expense?

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Most of these teams in southeast region are just rebranded ECNL teams doing the exact same thing as last year. Why bother going to all this trouble and expense?

If it’s the same , what’s the extra travel and expense?

[Unregistered]

Most of these teams in southeast region are just rebranded ECNL teams doing the exact same thing as last year. Why bother going to all this trouble and expense?

Having sat in a couple of internal coaching meetings at my club:

There are more resources, priorities and support available to clubs related to the player and team development process. ECNL does a fantastic job in league management and connecting talent to the next level. The GDA framework seems to attempt to increase its focus on the coach/player development side - maximizing your practice time and the efficiency that's required to accomplish it, required analysis that forces coaches to be a little more exact in their assessments of players, etc.

Whether there is a real tangible difference in the product as experienced by the player remains to be seen. There are many other factors, including the individual coaches brought in, buyin from the clubs running these programs and overall club oversight that make it difficult to judge whether GDA develops clubs and coaches at a higher rate than what ECNL would have.

If we say ECNL had the best girls clubs with the best girls players, you're simply seeing clubs reallocate their top customers to a system they believe helps them offer the best product possible, or at the very least be the most attractive to families. That and one group does happen to be the federation, so there's that.

Regardless, this "war" is much less about player development and more about control, power and $$$. From both sides - it's not like ECNL was designed for the purpose of making kids better, either. Businessmen simply found an angle by which to take control of the industry and have now created a new generation of good ole boys.

The industry is already changing, but there's plenty to come over the next 5 years. Who knows what will be relevant then?

[Unregistered]

Having sat in a couple of internal coaching meetings at my club:

There are more resources, priorities and support available to clubs related to the player and team development process. ECNL does a fantastic job in league management and connecting talent to the next level. The GDA framework seems to attempt to increase its focus on the coach/player development side - maximizing your practice time and the efficiency that's required to accomplish it, required analysis that forces coaches to be a little more exact in their assessments of players, etc.

Whether there is a real tangible difference in the product as experienced by the player remains to be seen. There are many other factors, including the individual coaches brought in, buyin from the clubs running these programs and overall club oversight that make it difficult to judge whether GDA develops clubs and coaches at a higher rate than what ECNL would have.

If we say ECNL had the best girls clubs with the best girls players, you're simply seeing clubs reallocate their top customers to a system they believe helps them offer the best product possible, or at the very least be the most attractive to families. That and one group does happen to be the federation, so there's that.

Regardless, this "war" is much less about player development and more about control, power and $$$. From both sides - it's not like ECNL was designed for the purpose of making kids better, either. Businessmen simply found an angle by which to take control of the industry and have now created a new generation of good ole boys.

The industry is already changing, but there's plenty to come over the next 5 years. Who knows what will be relevant then?

Interesting and noteable points... but there is no difference this year because not all the best talent left for GDA and stayed at ECNL. If you are 2019 or 2018 most stayed with their current ECNL teams. The ECNL showcases still draw all coaches, so many girls opted to stay with their current team and still be able to enjoy playing HS

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Huge difference is discovery players / guest players and the mess that created at clubs that abused the system.

The closed DA system is way better as far as club development.

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Huge difference is discovery players / guest players and the mess that created at clubs that abused the system.

The closed DA system is way better as far as club development.

edit-
meaning last year with ECNL was a mess.
DA this year is better.

[Unregistered]

I think there is little differences this year between ECNL and GDA at the younger age groups.

I think at the older age groups the GDA teams may be weaker at some clubs that took a hard stance on HS soccer not being allowed. And the clubs that are allowing it may potentially miss several key players during the HS part of the GDA season....assuming they actually DON'T allow them to play GDA while competing on a school team, and I'm very skeptical that this will actually be enforced.

I think the GDA is hoping to differentiate itself in coming years, as the younger age groups move up through the system.

ECNL had a good product. GDA needs to be able to at least replicate that product if not improve upon it.

[Unregistered]

Most of these teams in southeast region are just rebranded ECNL teams doing the exact same thing as last year. Why bother going to all this trouble and expense?

Have done both now and ECNL was more expensive though the talent is more or less the same.

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Have done both now and ECNL was more expensive though the talent is more or less the same.

I have done both. ECNL is way more expensive, way more travel. The DA is definitely more organized and the training is more intense because they have accountability now.

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I have done both. ECNL is way more expensive, way more travel. The DA is definitely more organized and the training is more intense because they have accountability now.

Training and accountability are more organized at GDA, but results are not what was intended, particularly at the critical 2001/2001 age group; they are struggling as a whole as is ECNL at this particular age group. Wish the particular club had taken the high road and chosen one route to truly focus on and make superior instead of diluting the talent in this particular age group. 10th grade is a key year; 11th grade even more critical. Why diminish the capability of a club at an entire age group by diluting the talent pool?

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Training and accountability are more organized at GDA, but results are not what was intended, particularly at the critical 2001/2001 age group; they are struggling as a whole as is ECNL at this particular age group. Wish the particular club had taken the high road and chosen one route to truly focus on and make superior instead of diluting the talent in this particular age group. 10th grade is a key year; 11th grade even more critical. Why diminish the capability of a club at an entire age group by diluting the talent pool?

I see the comment made often that GDA has "accountability." Who is accountable to who? For what? What is the penalty? To who for what?

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I see the comment made often that GDA has "accountability." Who is accountable to who? For what? What is the penalty? To who for what?

Where has that accountability gotten us on the men's side? We've gotten really good at producing soccer playing robots. It shows in the results

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I see the comment made often that GDA has "accountability." Who is accountable to who? For what? What is the penalty? To who for what?

The accountability is in the fact that US Soccer officials are at practices and games making sure the curriculum is followed and progress is made. All trainings have been established from day 1. As far as penalties go, I have no idea, but the way 2 new coaches quickly appeared at WFF, Im guessing YY losing control of GDA is one of them.

[Unregistered]

I see the comment made often that GDA has "accountability." Who is accountable to who? For what? What is the penalty? To who for what?

Some DAs have three practices and others have four practices a week. Some players aren't making the long drive and aren't making the required practices. The club won't be ratting on itself to the higher ups.

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Some DAs have three practices and others have four practices a week. Some players aren't making the long drive and aren't making the required practices. The club won't be ratting on itself to the higher ups.

Just wait until social events like dances and dating get in the way. Or hanging out. Or going somewhere out of town for social reasons and not getting back for your game. Girls are different from boys. They crave that social connection. Some girls don't care. Many do!