DA changes coming

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The claim is that some private school players either have scholarships because of sports or are required to play sports as part of being in the school. So they theoretically have no coice. But the double standard is pretty silly on the girl's side -- just because you go to a private school you get more options? In the Northeast we have some very good public schools (and some even have decent soccer programs). The whole GDA thing is so poorly managed.

Seriously, if ECNL just buckled up a little more with a more structured/uniform practice curriculum and encouraged (or required) clubs to videotape and share game videos, they would be offsetting some of the arguments people make for GDA.

Even for the boys, the waiver issue is a big problem. You get the players who go to public school who are frustrated by it, you get the private school players who aren’t in on the waiver fraud (aren’t granted one) who become frustrated, etc. Terrible system. Add that to the fact that our local DA’s all seem to have their own issues right now. The future for Academy isn’t looking all that bright unfortunately.

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Changes in restrictions ,especially no high school play will be coming

It’s a little late no? Most kids, like mine, have already tried out and accepted spots on ECNL teams for next year with non refundable deposits. You’d think if they were making changes they’d have told people already. Dummies.

[Unregistered]

It’s a little late no? Most kids, like mine, have already tried out and accepted spots on ECNL teams for next year with non refundable deposits. You’d think if they were making changes they’d have told people already. Dummies.

They definitely are screwing up what little opportunity they have to reinforce themselves for next year. There's another thread about what will the Ne division look like next year? It's now smaller and two clubs in really suck. If they combine with Atlantic then you're talking about trips to MD and VA? People do need to know and make decisions. If you can't provide them with accurate information they'll take the option that is better known.

[Unregistered]

I want to see a change to single age bands. I've noticed this year that other clubs find it easier to get the ear of a BBA parent by offering stability to their kid. Even middle roster players worry about being moved due to ages combining. Chaos happens the spring before teams merge. It becomes too easy for other clubs to poach players.

Age bands won't change anything, other than further diluting the talent pool at the top of the soccer pyramid. Younger players should and will play up if their talent warrants it. With that you'll have at least a few players at their age group who have marginal talent, unable to compete or get enough minutes to justify being there.

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I get that to an extent... but at the same time, life is about choices. Why should the private school / prep school kids be given waivers above other players who would like the same opportunity to play for their high schools if they were able to join in on the waiver fraud. It's just one of those things that seems pretty elitist. From a team standpoint, how could their teammates not be frustrated with that double standard? Is there a limit for waivers that are allowed to be given out per team?

It is a lousy system rife with issues, but like I said I don't see it going away any time soon. I think girls' families were surprised by the strife it created, while boy's families have been dealing with it for several years now. It's not like this information wasn't out there

[Unregistered]

Age bands won't change anything, other than further diluting the talent pool at the top of the soccer pyramid. Younger players should and will play up if their talent warrants it. With that you'll have at least a few players at their age group who have marginal talent, unable to compete or get enough minutes to justify being there.

Combined year teams is actually one of the better aspects of DA so that younger players are challenged. But it's likely that next year U16/17 will be split and only the U18/19 teams will remain combined. As we know there just isn't enough so called top talent to go around for all these teams,

[Unregistered]

The claim is that some private school players either have scholarships because of sports or are required to play sports as part of being in the school. So they theoretically have no coice. But the double standard is pretty silly on the girl's side -- just because you go to a private school you get more options? In the Northeast we have some very good public schools (and some even have decent soccer programs). The whole GDA thing is so poorly managed.

Seriously, if ECNL just buckled up a little more with a more structured/uniform practice curriculum and encouraged (or required) clubs to videotape and share game videos, they would be offsetting some of the arguments people make for GDA.

On the girls side, i could not disagree more. The things you are talking about are peripheral. Game tape is only of value if studied by the player. There is only one argument for the GDA and that reiles on Clubs actually providing it -

a better , continuous practice environment with competent licensed coaches who are held accountable for their actions.

the fact tha many Clubs do not provide a full GDA experience and we dont have enough girls who are immersed enough in the game to want one is the issue. For those that do, the GDA at the right Club is fantastic. Problem is the is a far more vocal majority who cannot and would not benefit from it.

[Unregistered]

Combined year teams is actually one of the better aspects of DA so that younger players are challenged. But it's likely that next year U16/17 will be split and only the U18/19 teams will remain combined. As we know there just isn't enough so called top talent to go around for all these teams,

And how does it help the older girls? And so you just drop 7 or so players at age combine?

[Unregistered]

There is only one argument for the GDA and that reiles on Clubs actually providing it -

a better , continuous practice environment with competent licensed coaches who are held accountable for their actions.

What a crock of ****.

[Unregistered]

What a crock of ****.

Another person who is looking for a fight and/or cannot read. TS is full of them.

[Unregistered]

Another person who is looking for a fight and/or cannot read. TS is full of them.

There's nothing to fight about. Just calling bull**** where it's deserved.

[Unregistered]

On the girls side, i could not disagree more. The things you are talking about are peripheral. Game tape is only of value if studied by the player. There is only one argument for the GDA and that reiles on Clubs actually providing it -

a better , continuous practice environment with competent licensed coaches who are held accountable for their actions.

the fact tha many Clubs do not provide a full GDA experience and we dont have enough girls who are immersed enough in the game to want one is the issue. For those that do, the GDA at the right Club is fantastic. Problem is the is a far more vocal majority who cannot and would not benefit from it.

There is some validity in this -- the GDA experience is not consistent. IMO, USSF should have franchised GDA and organized them as US Soccer outposts instead of tied to individual clubs. Figure out a model that pays the franchisee for their efforts fairly. It should not be the case that one club practices only 2-3x/week and another 4, nor that ones don't use licensed coaches, etc. Standardize the experience and maybe then we won't be disappointed with the real options we have.

[Unregistered]

There is some validity in this -- the GDA experience is not consistent. IMO, USSF should have franchised GDA and organized them as US Soccer outposts instead of tied to individual clubs. Figure out a model that pays the franchisee for their efforts fairly. It should not be the case that one club practices only 2-3x/week and another 4, nor that ones don't use licensed coaches, etc. Standardize the experience and maybe then we won't be disappointed with the real options we have.

I think there is value in GDA, but what you are describing is the National Team environment. You aren't going to get that unless you daughter makes the National Team.

[Unregistered]

I think there is value in GDA, but what you are describing is the National Team environment. You aren't going to get that unless you daughter makes the National Team.

But if the GDA is designed to produce better NT prospects, then why not bring the model down to the regions? It would still be pay to play, so it would be funded mostly by parents, but more standardized.

[Unregistered]

In other words, and I don't give a rat's ass what picture the PowerPoint painted, the practical reality is that crock of **** was quite fair.