Oakwood

[Unregistered]

If I lived near Hartford I'd have my kid go to Oakwood. It's the best option around there. But I live in Fairfield County so my kid plays ECNL. All these arguments back and forth need to take into account people make these decisions in large part on where they live.

That's what it comes down to for likely 75% of the participants.

[Unregistered]

That's what it comes down to for likely 75% of the participants.

But in the case of OW or ECNL vs DA, the HS thing is a factor as well. ECNL vs ECNL then location will probably play a bigger role. We all know that if OW girls were ECNL, FSA would bleed out.

[Unregistered]

Good lord, some of you can't go a single day without typing "High school". Give it up already, your glory days were long ago.

[Unregistered]

Good lord, some of you can't go a single day without typing "High school". Give it up already, your glory days were long ago.

Kids want to play. Not all, but plenty do. It's just a fact. Now players have more options. Or like at OW, you can play HS under the very large loophole and go back to DA when your HS season is over.

[Unregistered]

Kids want to play. Not all, but plenty do. It's just a fact. Now players have more options. Or like at OW, you can play HS under the very large loophole and go back to DA when your HS season is over.

The amount of time and space this takes up in your head is alarming. Do you have the same concerns for the kids who don't partake in the swim team? Ski team? Match club? Debate team? Sewing?

[Unregistered]

The amount of time and space this takes up in your head is alarming. Do you have the same concerns for the kids who don't partake in the swim team? Ski team? Match club? Debate team? Sewing?

No other youth sports governing body restricts school sport participation except soccer, not even the high $ most popular sports of basketball, football or baseball. Stop denying that HS sports matters to some players. I never said all, never will. Some. And some of them are quite good, and the soccer landscape doesn't have enough good players to go around.

[Unregistered]

No other youth sports governing body restricts school sport participation except soccer, not even the high $ most popular sports of basketball, football or baseball. Stop denying that HS sports matters to some players. I never said all, never will. Some. And some of them are quite good, and the soccer landscape doesn't have enough good players to go around.

Again, all this angst. Kids ski with their clubs, not the HS team. Brilliant mathematicians who aren't on the math team. Kids play junior hockey and not the HS team.

It's common across all circles in HS. So, you play or you don't play. You want to play, but can't because your club/league doesn't allow it...then switch.

The fact that this is hard to grasp is alarming.

[Unregistered]

Again, all this angst. Kids ski with their clubs, not the HS team. Brilliant mathematicians who aren't on the math team. Kids play junior hockey and not the HS team.

It's common across all circles in HS. So, you play or you don't play. You want to play, but can't because your club/league doesn't allow it...then switch.

The fact that this is hard to grasp is alarming.

Do you work for USSF? Because clearly you're not getting it.

[Unregistered]

Do you work for USSF? Because clearly you're not getting it.

No, I get it fully. Kids partake in all kinds of activities. Some they partake while associated with their HS, and some would rather not. It's not a big deal in almost all of these activities.

Except soccer. Then, it's a panty-knotter of an issue and all the ex-HS pseudo-athletes cannot comprehend why their li'l angel couldn't possibly want to follow in their footsteps.

[Unregistered]

No other youth sports governing body restricts school sport participation except soccer, not even the high $ most popular sports of basketball, football or baseball. Stop denying that HS sports matters to some players. I never said all, never will. Some. And some of them are quite good, and the soccer landscape doesn't have enough good players to go around.

get over it helicopter daddy. And stop trying to tell your neighbor to paint his house blue because you don't like the current color. youre being a bad neighbor, mind your own business if it doesn't pertain to you.

[Unregistered]

Waaahhhhhh!!! all kids need to play HS, because thats what I think!! Waaaahhhhh!!!

[Unregistered]

Here is an idea:

Town Travel: Grade (play with friends)

USDA/GDA: Birthyear (since they are so concerned with the international model)

ECNL: Graduation Year, since their main goal is college recruitment

[Unregistered]

No, I get it fully. Kids partake in all kinds of activities. Some they partake while associated with their HS, and some would rather not. It's not a big deal in almost all of these activities.

Except soccer. Then, it's a panty-knotter of an issue and all the ex-HS pseudo-athletes cannot comprehend why their li'l angel couldn't possibly want to follow in their footsteps.

Or, here's a thought, some kids want to play. How well do you know teens? Because my experience is it's pretty phuking hard to force them to do anything they don't want.

With DA and ECNL now kids have more choices. Each model works for some, not others. If HS didn't matter why is ECNL even a thing still? Why did a dozen ECNL clubs drop out of DA? Money? Sure. Because they read their local market and what players wanted.

[Unregistered]

Or, here's a thought, some kids want to play. How well do you know teens? Because my experience is it's pretty phuking hard to force them to do anything they don't want.

With DA and ECNL now kids have more choices. Each model works for some, not others. If HS didn't matter why is ECNL even a thing still? Why did a dozen ECNL clubs drop out of DA? Money? Sure. Because they read their local market and what players wanted.

Yep, some want to. Some don't. Let THEM decide what they want, and put them on a path that facilitates it. Pretty simple. However, the overriding theme when asked "why?" to parents on the HS issue, it's "I remember how much fun it was" or "it's beneficial for their social aspects" (totally ignoring that 80% of kids don't play HS sports).


I do find your statement curious, though...HS is the only reason to play ECNL? I actually agree with that.

[Unregistered]

Here is an idea:

Town Travel: Grade (play with friends)

USDA/GDA: Birthyear (since they are so concerned with the international model)

ECNL: Graduation Year, since their main goal is college recruitment

Best idea I have seen in awhile!