Time for Tampa Mega Merger

[Unregistered]

A lot of people tend to resist change initially just like some of the posters on here. However once they are willing to embrace change then many hurdles are eliminated. Let's look at some of the many positives of this Mega Merger:

1) Only club in Florida and one of the few in US with both Boys Academy Program and Girls ECNL (nationally recognized immediately)
2) With both Boys Academy and Girls ECNL in place - training requirements will have to be in line with both systems and consistently implemented throughout the whole mega club.
3) Huge Pool of Players = Greater Competition = Improved Development
4) Nationally recognized Club and training requirements will attract and required top level coaching
5) Nationally recognized club will offer greater opportunities for coaches interested in advancement and thus attracting more high level coaches
6) Anyone not interested in larger club setting there are still smaller clubs scattered throughout the area
7) Costs should not increase - some mergers already have reduced costs for some
8) Nationally Recognized Mega Club has a better chance to attract additional sponsorships, therefore more money for club and possible reduced costs for kids/parents.
9) Will attract kids from the region and not just Tampa area - therefore increasing pool, competition and development
10) Opportunity for the kids to play at the highest possible level desired and based on their skill level
11) Still a need for multiple DOCs to implement training requirements for Boys Academy and Girls ECNL, and attract and maintain high level coaches.

So far the posters that have identified the negatives of perhaps a few Board Members concerns and Egos doesn't seem to even approach the many positives.

Not saying these are not possibly true, but go back and read the thread "large clubs don't care". Several of these clubs are already getting too big for their britches and don't care about the individual player any more. I agree that we had too many clubs and some mergers were necessary. But do you really want a monopoly?

[Unregistered]

A lot of people tend to resist change initially just like some of the posters on here. However once they are willing to embrace change then many hurdles are eliminated. Let's look at some of the many positives of this Mega Merger:

1) Only club in Florida and one of the few in US with both Boys Academy Program and Girls ECNL (nationally recognized immediately)
2) With both Boys Academy and Girls ECNL in place - training requirements will have to be in line with both systems and consistently implemented throughout the whole mega club.
3) Huge Pool of Players = Greater Competition = Improved Development
4) Nationally recognized Club and training requirements will attract and required top level coaching
5) Nationally recognized club will offer greater opportunities for coaches interested in advancement and thus attracting more high level coaches
6) Anyone not interested in larger club setting there are still smaller clubs scattered throughout the area
7) Costs should not increase - some mergers already have reduced costs for some
8) Nationally Recognized Mega Club has a better chance to attract additional sponsorships, therefore more money for club and possible reduced costs for kids/parents.
9) Will attract kids from the region and not just Tampa area - therefore increasing pool, competition and development
10) Opportunity for the kids to play at the highest possible level desired and based on their skill level
11) Still a need for multiple DOCs to implement training requirements for Boys Academy and Girls ECNL, and attract and maintain high level coaches.

So far the posters that have identified the negatives of perhaps a few Board Members concerns and Egos doesn't seem to even approach the many positives.

Amusing.

How/why is it that some think that a larger "pool of players" translates to "improved development"?

"Improved development" is a function of a combination of sound coaching/training and player commitment.

USSDA programs, i.e., Clearwater, have 2 Academy teams (total 36-44 players total). A club with ECNL fields teams U15-U18. That's 4 teams x 20 players = 80 players.

You need a "mega merger" (all major clubs in the greater Tampa area) and a "mega club" (5,000 members+) to support 125 players in USSDA and ECNL? That's absurd.

You think that by being a participant in a "mega club" with USSDA and ECNL status your player will "magically" arrive on the doorstep of a college soccer scholarship and/or a professional soccer career?

Good enough to be an elite player in ECNL? Good enough to be on a USSDA team? Then go to VSI WFF (ECNL) or Clearwater (USSDA) tryouts. Those lobbying and waiting for a "mega merger" to deliver their players to the gatway of elite youth soccer are fooling themselves. Other than the players who actually make the highest level teams in ECNL or USSDA clubs, the rest of the players in these clubs are no better off/no worse off than players in most non-ECNL or non-USSDA clubs.

[Unregistered]

A lot of people tend to resist change initially just like some of the posters on here. However once they are willing to embrace change then many hurdles are eliminated. Let's look at some of the many positives of this Mega Merger:

1) Only club in Florida and one of the few in US with both Boys Academy Program and Girls ECNL (nationally recognized immediately)
2) With both Boys Academy and Girls ECNL in place - training requirements will have to be in line with both systems and consistently implemented throughout the whole mega club.
3) Huge Pool of Players = Greater Competition = Improved Development
4) Nationally recognized Club and training requirements will attract and required top level coaching
5) Nationally recognized club will offer greater opportunities for coaches interested in advancement and thus attracting more high level coaches
6) Anyone not interested in larger club setting there are still smaller clubs scattered throughout the area
7) Costs should not increase - some mergers already have reduced costs for some
8) Nationally Recognized Mega Club has a better chance to attract additional sponsorships, therefore more money for club and possible reduced costs for kids/parents.
9) Will attract kids from the region and not just Tampa area - therefore increasing pool, competition and development
10) Opportunity for the kids to play at the highest possible level desired and based on their skill level
11) Still a need for multiple DOCs to implement training requirements for Boys Academy and Girls ECNL, and attract and maintain high level coaches.

So far the posters that have identified the negatives of perhaps a few Board Members concerns and Egos doesn't seem to even approach the many positives.

We're all familiar with the grand promises of the merger boosters. Now that we've had three significant mergers, let's see those promises translate into reality before going any further. Those of you pushing this model now have an opportunity to prove that very-nice-sounding list is anything more than talk. This is your chance to turn talk into reality. If you can do that, you'll eventually find support for further consolidation. If, on the other hand, your list is shown to be nothing more than just so much wishful thinking, you won't. Either way, the burden of proof is on you at this point.

[Unregistered]

Other than the players who actually make the highest level teams in ECNL or USSDA clubs, the rest of the players in these clubs are no better off/no worse off than players in most non-ECNL or non-USSDA clubs.

For now, they aren't any worse off because they still have options outside of the large club where they weren't quite able to rise to the top and so have found themselves neglected, over-charged and under-served. Take away those other options and I think you can persuasively argue that they will be *much* worse off.

As another poster has mentioned, we already have ECNL and USSDA options in this area now. For players of this caliber, further consolidation is unnecessary. It's the non-elite players who are potentially under the greatest threat from further consolidation. HCU treated its lower level players like ATMs prior to the merger. Has that changed for the better with the name change? Not from what I hear.

[Unregistered]

For now, they aren't any worse off because they still have options outside of the large club where they weren't quite able to rise to the top and so have found themselves neglected, over-charged and under-served. Take away those other options and I think you can persuasively argue that they will be *much* worse off.

As another poster has mentioned, we already have ECNL and USSDA options in this area now. For players of this caliber, further consolidation is unnecessary. It's the non-elite players who are potentially under the greatest threat from further consolidation. HCU treated its lower level players like ATMs prior to the merger. Has that changed for the better with the name change? Not from what I hear.

I agree and do not see how a merger would benefit the masses. If you want to play Academy then go try out at Clearwater and if you want to play ECNL then go to VSI Flames. A merger does not give anyone in Tampa better access than they already have. Hoever, a merger may reduce the customer service for the other 95% of the kids that are not in those two programs. Be careful of what you wish for.

[Unregistered]

The "mega club" structure is of greatest benefit to the "mega club's" most elite players and teams, which comprise the minority of the "mega club's" paid membership.

The majority of the "mega club", via general dues and fees, helps to financially subsidize the "mega club's" operation.

Not uncommon amongst traditional youth soccer clubs, parents chronically complain about lack of individual player attention, poor communications, etc.

Unless your player is one of the "mega club's" elite players, be prepared to get "lost in the shuffle", unlike anything you've ever experienced in a traditional youth soccer club.

[Unregistered]

The "mega club" structure is of greatest benefit to the "mega club's" most elite players and teams, which comprise the minority of the "mega club's" paid membership.

The majority of the "mega club", via general dues and fees, helps to financially subsidize the "mega club's" operation.

Not uncommon amongst traditional youth soccer clubs, parents chronically complain about lack of individual player attention, poor communications, etc.

Unless your player is one of the "mega club's" elite players, be prepared to get "lost in the shuffle", unlike anything you've ever experienced in a traditional youth soccer club.

God forbid that we organize youth soccer for the benefit of the elite players.
What is the world coming to?!?!

[Unregistered]

I agree and do not see how a merger would benefit the masses. If you want to play Academy then go try out at Clearwater and if you want to play ECNL then go to VSI Flames. A merger does not give anyone in Tampa better access than they already have. Hoever, a merger may reduce the customer service for the other 95% of the kids that are not in those two programs. Be careful of what you wish for.

I wonder if the phrase "customer service" has EVER been used in the same sentence as one of the REAL youth soccer clubs (Ajax, River Plate...).

Just shows how far we have to go in the US. Forget about being on the right page. We aren't even reading from the right book yet.

[Unregistered]

I agree and do not see how a merger would benefit the masses. If you want to play Academy then go try out at Clearwater and if you want to play ECNL then go to VSI Flames. A merger does not give anyone in Tampa better access than they already have. Hoever, a merger may reduce the customer service for the other 95% of the kids that are not in those two programs. Be careful of what you wish for.

Youth soccer clubs in the US are still largely social organizations. They are parent-centerred, focused on producing the "best possible experience" for the paying customer.

Of course, when we ultimately look at the final product they produce, we shouldn't be surprised that it AIN'T world class soccer players.

It may very well be true that we don't WANT the kind of youth club that is required to do that. So be it. Just be honest. Cuz it is either stupid or ignorant to claim that parent-centerred clubs can produce top-flight players.

[Unregistered]

I admit there are negative sides to the Mega Merger. Does larger player pool mean greater development? Here my argument is you would now have a legitimate National Club with training requirements in place driven by the US Academy and ECNL. I believe there would be better training in place for all teams especially in the deveopment ages as they all would be under the training umbrella of the Mega Club and mandated by the Academy and ECNL. As kids get older the cream will rise to the top so you will always have multiple levels of talent, and teams would be structured accordingly especially as they get older (Academy Teams, ECNL teams, R3PL teams, State Level Teams, Regional Level Teams with multiple teams in some categories). The improved development would be the result of the requirements of the Academy and ECNL as describe above and the increased competition-if all you have to do is so up every year does . Also being a top National Club (if structured and developed properly) would attract top level coaches. The National Club I believe would also attract sponsorship and financial influx into the club to help off set costs that are rarely available at smaller clubs. Parents still have the option of going with any of the smaller clubs in the area if this suits their needs more.

[Unregistered]

Youth soccer clubs in the US are still largely social organizations. They are parent-centerred, focused on producing the "best possible experience" for the paying customer.

Of course, when we ultimately look at the final product they produce, we shouldn't be surprised that it AIN'T world class soccer players.

It may very well be true that we don't WANT the kind of youth club that is required to do that. So be it. Just be honest. Cuz it is either stupid or ignorant to claim that parent-centerred clubs can produce top-flight players.

It is great to have the best opportunity available for the elite players. It is also nice to have a positive experience for the other 95%.

Most large clubs focus their attention on the A teams and really put little effort into the second division teams at the club. So the question is what is the best structure to serve everyone:

A. Large club which has elite all the way to rec and hope that all get the proper attention.
B. A smaller club that just focuses on the elite players. Since that is your focus only take the top players. Have nothing more than an A team and B team at most. Have the remaining lower level teams play at a local club where they might receive a better experience.

[Unregistered]

I admit there are negative sides to the Mega Merger. Does larger player pool mean greater development? Here my argument is you would now have a legitimate National Club with training requirements in place driven by the US Academy and ECNL. I believe there would be better training in place for all teams especially in the deveopment ages as they all would be under the training umbrella of the Mega Club and mandated by the Academy and ECNL. As kids get older the cream will rise to the top so you will always have multiple levels of talent, and teams would be structured accordingly especially as they get older (Academy Teams, ECNL teams, R3PL teams, State Level Teams, Regional Level Teams with multiple teams in some categories). The improved development would be the result of the requirements of the Academy and ECNL as describe above and the increased competition-if all you have to do is so up every year does . Also being a top National Club (if structured and developed properly) would attract top level coaches. The National Club I believe would also attract sponsorship and financial influx into the club to help off set costs that are rarely available at smaller clubs. Parents still have the option of going with any of the smaller clubs in the area if this suits their needs more.

To finish my one thought above-the way it is now you pretty much show up to tryout each year and due to lack of competition you've made a certain team for the most part...if you know you have to work harder each year to make a team you will get better if you put in the effort-you still may not make that highest level team but with more effort you will get better to a certain point. I don't believe this is only for elite teams. This type of structure will drive many players at the club to put in more not less effort. Those that are happy or are less driven would be fine at the lower level teams as well. Also it would take into account those kids that develop later and not earlier due to growth or interest levels.

[Unregistered]

I wonder if the phrase "customer service" has EVER been used in the same sentence as one of the REAL youth soccer clubs (Ajax, River Plate...).

Just shows how far we have to go in the US. Forget about being on the right page. We aren't even reading from the right book yet.

The difference is that the clubs in other countries are funded so they have the say in what goes on. In America, the parents pay so they are going to have a say. I don't think that one massive club is the answer. I would like to see one club that focuses on the elite player in Tampa and leaves it at that. Let the other clubs have the remaining 80%. The club should work with the other local clubs. There should be a spirit of cooperation where the smaller clubs send their top players off to the "elite club". The elite club should respect the other clubs and not take more than 2 teams in any age group so as to foster the relationship with the smaller clubs.

[Unregistered]

To finish my one thought above-the way it is now you pretty much show up to tryout each year and due to lack of competition you've made a certain team for the most part...if you know you have to work harder each year to make a team you will get better if you put in the effort-you still may not make that highest level team but with more effort you will get better to a certain point. I don't believe this is only for elite teams. This type of structure will drive many players at the club to put in more not less effort. Those that are happy or are less driven would be fine at the lower level teams as well. Also it would take into account those kids that develop later and not earlier due to growth or interest levels.

Or, kids (their parents, really) will just hop from club to club. Whoever promises them the most, that's where they go. And, of course, there will be no shortage of coaches at the competing clubs willing to say anything to bring in the customers.

[Unregistered]

The difference is that the clubs in other countries are funded so they have the say in what goes on. In America, the parents pay so they are going to have a say.

We agree 100%.
Which means the clubs in the US are doomed to continue to produce mediocrity.