GPS RI move to Surf

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Cowboys based on what exactly? From where I am standing, GPS RI and NEFC Southeast have operated good programs over the last couple of years. Now they are putting their coaching and talent together.

Surf look like they will be one of the biggest clubs in New England in six weeks time. There's your leverage.

Leagues? Who knows what is better now? You have GAL, ECNL, NPL, EDP, NEP and CCL in a small region like New England. They all have their flaws, and for HS ages, leagues are seven games. Tournaments and practices far more important than leagues, purely based on volume.

Yeah, no. There is a clear top league for the best girls players... it’s called ECNL. You know, the league where the best GDA clubs went to when GDA folded? The league that has been in place for years, getting stronger, and delivering on it’s mission of showcasing to college coaches. January ECNL Florida showcase had hundreds of D1 coaches attend. No other league has that reach or branding.

Want to play HS ball, maybe D3? All those leagues you mention is fine. Want to play D1 and have an actual opportunity to earn a scholarship? There are only two clubs in MA playing in that league and offering that opportunity.

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Yeah, no. There is a clear top league for the best girls players... it’s called ECNL. You know, the league where the best GDA clubs went to when GDA folded? The league that has been in place for years, getting stronger, and delivering on it’s mission of showcasing to college coaches. January ECNL Florida showcase had hundreds of D1 coaches attend. No other league has that reach or branding.

Want to play HS ball, maybe D3? All those leagues you mention is fine. Want to play D1 and have an actual opportunity to earn a scholarship? There are only two clubs in MA playing in that league and offering that opportunity.

If you want a scholarship then focus on your academics

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If you want a scholarship then focus on your academics

Feel free to do that too, but this is a soccer blog and the topic specifically is the RI soccer landscape. If you have kids in club soccer, spending thousands of dollars a year, you really need to understand why. What is the end goal? I hear all the time that parents just want their kids to enjoy playing a sport and like their teammates. That's BS. No one spends thousands for club soccer for that. Either the parent is delusional about the end result of their kid in soccer, they are living vicariously through their kid, or they have too much money. Given how many families I see posting about refunds, it defintely isn't the latter.

Parents are being sold a bill of goods. Why are you paying thousands of dollars and likely travelling all over the region to play a sport?

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Leagues? Who knows what is better now? You have GAL, ECNL, NPL, EDP, NEP and CCL in a small region like New England. They all have their flaws, and for HS ages, leagues are seven games. Tournaments and practices far more important than leagues, purely based on volume.

LOL. Who knows? Well let's put it this way, if you don't know, we can't help you. But this is definitely a funny post. Thanks for the chuckle.

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They will play NEP as they snuggled up to Seacoast to get around the NEP entry rules. Also heard they will play DPL, which is a bulls**t new league with very little info. Sorry, little RI still has no pathway as top girls teams are ECNL and that means traveling to Lancaster or Taunton. Who the heck knows what is going on with MLS‘s replacement of DA.

Who says Surf won’t be able to eventually get into ECNL? Their CA counterpart is already an ECNL club. I’m sure you can field a very competitive team of players from RI and bordering states like MA and CT. ECNL would be smart to lock down another geographic area that will pull the best players.

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Feel free to do that too, but this is a soccer blog and the topic specifically is the RI soccer landscape. If you have kids in club soccer, spending thousands of dollars a year, you really need to understand why. What is the end goal? I hear all the time that parents just want their kids to enjoy playing a sport and like their teammates. That's BS. No one spends thousands for club soccer for that. Either the parent is delusional about the end result of their kid in soccer, they are living vicariously through their kid, or they have too much money. Given how many families I see posting about refunds, it defintely isn't the latter.

Parents are being sold a bill of goods. Why are you paying thousands of dollars and likely travelling all over the region to play a sport?

I agree with this. There is a very small population in RI that would qualify as "elite". For those few players they have the skill level to even consider seeking to play high level college soccer after high school. They should be the ones travelling to Taunton or Lancaster...if they can even make those teams. And for EVERYONE else, find a coach you like and play local, even town. There is no major benefit of spending a ton of money for soccer unless you just have disposable income and want to do some youth sports traveling.

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I agree with this. There is a very small population in RI that would qualify as "elite". For those few players they have the skill level to even consider seeking to play high level college soccer after high school. They should be the ones travelling to Taunton or Lancaster...if they can even make those teams. And for EVERYONE else, find a coach you like and play local, even town. There is no major benefit of spending a ton of money for soccer unless you just have disposable income and want to do some youth sports traveling.

Agreed. I get it. Better coaching and development, better players. It can certainly be fun to travel as a family for some of these tournaments. If you love the sport, I totally understand, but there is a limit. Maybe $2000/yr plus uniforms is acceptable and affordable to middle-class or upper middle class families. Maybe you take one less vacation a year. Whatever, it's your money, spend it how you like.

Just understand that whatever these coaches are selling to get you to move is likely BS. There is no pathway, no development model. Hell, at least NEFC affiliated with Spurs and I assume coaches now leverage the Spurs Youth Academy development methodology and content. What does Surf offer other than a uniform?

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Agreed. I get it. Better coaching and development, better players. It can certainly be fun to travel as a family for some of these tournaments. If you love the sport, I totally understand, but there is a limit. Maybe $2000/yr plus uniforms is acceptable and affordable to middle-class or upper middle class families. Maybe you take one less vacation a year. Whatever, it's your money, spend it how you like.

Just understand that whatever these coaches are selling to get you to move is likely BS. There is no pathway, no development model. Hell, at least NEFC affiliated with Spurs and I assume coaches now leverage the Spurs Youth Academy development methodology and content. What does Surf offer other than a uniform?

When you stand in front of that perfect wave, your body will have no choice but to jump in.

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Who says Surf won’t be able to eventually get into ECNL? Their CA counterpart is already an ECNL club. I’m sure you can field a very competitive team of players from RI and bordering states like MA and CT. ECNL would be smart to lock down another geographic area that will pull the best players.

Come on how stupid can you be.

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Who says Surf won’t be able to eventually get into ECNL? Their CA counterpart is already an ECNL club. I’m sure you can field a very competitive team of players from RI and bordering states like MA and CT. ECNL would be smart to lock down another geographic area that will pull the best players.

Not going to happen. JD from Stars runs that show like a Don in the mob. Pukes from GPS with ex-NEFC coaches aren’t breaking into ECNL As it is, Stars already gets players from RI. Add to that ECNL clubs have “partner clubs” that they travel with, the league isn’t adding a one-off club and screwing up the travel/scheduling for the NE region.

Lat, you overestimate the quality of players left in RI once you take the best few to play for Stars/Scorpions. Not a single team from NEFC South or GPS RI would compete with current ECNL teams. You have enough trouble playing the likes of Bayside and Bruno and squeezing out a win, at least on the girls side.

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Not going to happen. JD from Stars runs that show like a Don in the mob. Pukes from GPS with ex-NEFC coaches aren’t breaking into ECNL As it is, Stars already gets players from RI. Add to that ECNL clubs have “partner clubs” that they travel with, the league isn’t adding a one-off club and screwing up the travel/scheduling for the NE region.

Lat, you overestimate the quality of players left in RI once you take the best few to play for Stars/Scorpions. Not a single team from NEFC South or GPS RI would compete with current ECNL teams. You have enough trouble playing the likes of Bayside and Bruno and squeezing out a win, at least on the girls side.

Sounds like someone is getting nervous.

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Not going to happen. JD from Stars runs that show like a Don in the mob. Pukes from GPS with ex-NEFC coaches aren’t breaking into ECNL As it is, Stars already gets players from RI. Add to that ECNL clubs have “partner clubs” that they travel with, the league isn’t adding a one-off club and screwing up the travel/scheduling for the NE region.

Lat, you overestimate the quality of players left in RI once you take the best few to play for Stars/Scorpions. Not a single team from NEFC South or GPS RI would compete with current ECNL teams. You have enough trouble playing the likes of Bayside and Bruno and squeezing out a win, at least on the girls side.

So, looking at the boys' side, would any combined RI NEFC/GPS sides be competitive?

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So, looking at the boys' side, would any combined RI NEFC/GPS sides be competitive?

Depends on your definition of competitive - GPS RI 2005 and 2006 boys are State Cup champions, their 2004 boys are a strong NPL team who continue to perform well at the high level of this league, while their 2003 team lost the State Cup final on PK's.

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Not going to happen. JD from Stars runs that show like a Don in the mob. Pukes from GPS with ex-NEFC coaches aren’t breaking into ECNL As it is, Stars already gets players from RI. Add to that ECNL clubs have “partner clubs” that they travel with, the league isn’t adding a one-off club and screwing up the travel/scheduling for the NE region.

Lat, you overestimate the quality of players left in RI once you take the best few to play for Stars/Scorpions. Not a single team from NEFC South or GPS RI would compete with current ECNL teams. You have enough trouble playing the likes of Bayside and Bruno and squeezing out a win, at least on the girls side.

Sounds like PB is panicking, Bayside keeps telling parents they’re getting ECNL... they’re no where near that type of competition

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Bayside could get ECNL, if Scorpions buys them.....