Why not a Rowdies Youth Academy Program???

[Unregistered]

It's in the news how much the Tampa Bay Rowdies supposedly spent on their stadium,etc.. But that won't help their popularity or fill the stadium. Fact is, more people here went to see the Orlando FC opening than ever watching a single Rowdies game. The main problem is that they never got their hold on any of the thousands kids that play either rec.or club soccer. Nobody even knows a single Rowdies player!

What they should do is start a youth program. There is no reason in hell why they won't become the biggest club in the area. When you see clubs paying to use pro.club names such as Celtic,Liverpool, or Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo. Parents would easily pay for a brand that is actually local and is a direct academy. It is a potential million dollar business. I would rather see that they spent all their money into an endeavor such as this. Imagine a Rowdies club in St.Pete, one in Largo-Seminole, and one in Clearwater-Dunedin. And with access to the players and the stadium. And I don't doubt that it may produce a much better quality in training. And the best part is that all Rowdies game will be a sold out and their jerseys and merchandise will increase by 100%. It's a win-win for a business standpoint, and also for the area's youth soccer.

[Unregistered]

They have a deal with Chargers and DA teams there

[Unregistered]

They have a deal with Chargers and DA teams there

Chargers just added a deal with AS Roma as well. But they have said nothing about it and how the deal with Rowdies will work. Doesn't make much sense the AS ROMA thing, but the Rowdies thing I felt was a step in right direction.

[Unregistered]

Chargers ...have said nothing about ... how the deal with Rowdies will work.... I felt was a step in right direction.

There was a joint press release about the Rowdies and the Chargers partnership in May of 2014 and much of that information is still on the websites of both clubs. (Home page for the Rowdies and the US Soccer Development Academy page for the Chargers). I've heard the Rowdies make a financial contribution and get some player and development input, as well their logo on the Chargers DA uniforms.

[Unregistered]

It's baby step. Unfortunately not fast enough but all very good points. Rowdies need to own DA in Pinellas, clubs need to feed it and let top players go to it and real elite coaches brought it with real results training age appropriate and coaches at clubs need to follow the system to pass on a true curriculum so players are able to fit into the system. System play is what makes international clubs work and why us clubs are messed up and no continuity from age to age. It's a mess in tampa bay and rowdies could take the lead but won't. Easier to buy players win and people will come. It takes a real visionary to bring people together amd execute a plan.

[Unregistered]

People talk a lot about how an academy is different in Europe or in every soccer crazy country. It is different because "academies" are the young and developmental teams of a PROFESSIONAL TEAM. In some states, these clubs do exist. And it should be local or at least in easy driving distance from the mother club and stadium. To have a Rowdies academy club in Pinellas would be amazing and would take soccer in the area in the proper direction. It would easily kill all the clubs or just take them over, and not the other way around. If we want to follow the best clubs in the world, this is the only way to do it. Every kid that plays club should be playing for the Rowdies and it will benefit the popularity of the team too. I hope they do it. Start in the St.Pete area with qualified coaches and use their stadium for some practices and games, players involvement, and of course kids will wear the same kits. $$$

[Unregistered]

People talk a lot about how an academy is different in Europe or in every soccer crazy country. It is different because "academies" are the young and developmental teams of a PROFESSIONAL TEAM. In some states, these clubs do exist. And it should be local or at least in easy driving distance from the mother club and stadium. To have a Rowdies academy club in Pinellas would be amazing and would take soccer in the area in the proper direction. It would easily kill all the clubs or just take them over, and not the other way around. If we want to follow the best clubs in the world, this is the only way to do it. Every kid that plays club should be playing for the Rowdies and it will benefit the popularity of the team too. I hope they do it. Start in the St.Pete area with qualified coaches and use their stadium for some practices and games, players involvement, and of course kids will wear the same kits. $$$

What leagues would they play in? FYSA would not allow a new club that close to other clubs. US Club Soccer would work as they have no silly rules like that 15 mile rule that is so stupid and only protects inferior "businesses" from competition. This is part of the reason true development in Florida is way behind. The bad clubs are protected. Other state associations don't have this stupid rule. Maybe the Rowdies should challenge it. it would be great.

[Unregistered]

What leagues would they play in? FYSA would not allow a new club that close to other clubs. US Club Soccer would work as they have no silly rules like that 15 mile rule that is so stupid and only protects inferior "businesses" from competition. This is part of the reason true development in Florida is way behind. The bad clubs are protected. Other state associations don't have this stupid rule. Maybe the Rowdies should challenge it. it would be great.

or maybe the Rowdies could go 'all in' with the Chargers? Put up some money to lessen the burden on families, dress the players in full Rowdies kits, and have their coaches & players come over and run some DA training sessions.

I also saw that the Rowdies signed a couple of Chargers DA players this year. Good start!

[Unregistered]

or maybe the Rowdies could go 'all in' with the Chargers? Put up some money to lessen the burden on families, dress the players in full Rowdies kits, and have their coaches & players come over and run some DA training sessions.

I also saw that the Rowdies signed a couple of Chargers DA players this year. Good start!

It is my hope that the Rowdies will ultimately become an MLS club and, after partnering/merging with the Chargers and TBU, will have a reserve team, a PDL team, a Super 20 team and the Tampa Bay area's USSF DA program.

[Unregistered]

It is my hope that the Rowdies will ultimately become an MLS club and, after partnering/merging with the Chargers and TBU, will have a reserve team, a PDL team, a Super 20 team and the Tampa Bay area's USSF DA program.

Not likely but good to dream. Would be great but would be years away. MLS just added another team not to start until 2018 now up in Minnesota. It would be 3-5 years before Rowdies could be ready and then it would be 3+ years after that. Heck, can't even get MLS yet in Miami.

[Unregistered]

Rowdies are a nasl club that in a good tear strives to make a profit. How much money do you think they have to put into a developmental program.

[Unregistered]

Rowdies are a nasl club that in a good tear strives to make a profit. How much money do you think they have to put into a developmental program.

Plus the NASL won't be around but a few more years anyway.

[Unregistered]

Nasl will be around. Minor leage club for msl. Starting to get some tv contracts which will keep them afloat. Players and coaches get paid minor league salary, so quality will be subpar, but cheap night out for the family.

[Unregistered]

Nasl will be around. Minor leage club for msl. Starting to get some tv contracts which will keep them afloat. Players and coaches get paid minor league salary, so quality will be subpar, but cheap night out for the family.

When they became the second division there were a few bench marks they had to hit. They have not hit any of them. They made a huge mistake thinking they could compete with MLS and under estimated the USL. The owners bought into it based on competing with MLS once they realize that can't and begin losing teams to MLS because they are a market MLS wants a team they will be done, I.e. Minnesota and soon Miami.

[Unregistered]

There is no nasl team in miami. Beckham's dream of getting waterfront property died years ago when the miami marlins suckered the city. Miami Heat burned them several years earlier. Would not put anything past Miami politicians, but at the end of the day it is soccer and no real fan base to break laws for.