Talent Consolidation and "Destination" Teams

Every club has coaches with a range of abilities - MPS has the same and in that way they are no different. MPS is no different than bottom div. 1/ div. 2 teams at getting into tournaments and is not at the premier league teams' level of getting into tournaments - but most MAPLE clubs are not either. MPS does seem expensive compared even to the very top MAPLE/premier league clubs. Yet people seem willing to pay it. There must be a reason. Is it just that they hated their MAPLE clubs more or is there a quantity or quality of training that makes MPS a better experience?

Is it just that they hated their MAPLE clubs more or is there a quantity or quality of training that makes MPS a better experience?

Most now MPS, recently Maple experienced, parents have explained the MPS training is much better. It is year long, consistent and complete. The steady improvement and play of their teams is impressive. If the School of Excellence kicks in as they plan they will be a force at all age groups. From a competitive standpoint, and as a parent of a Maple player, I'm thankful they don't combine their Boston and Cape teams. :) Phew.

Is it just that they hated their MAPLE clubs more or is there a quantity or quality of training that makes MPS a better experience?

Most now MPS, recently Maple experienced, parents have explained the MPS training is much better. It is year long, consistent and complete. The steady improvement and play of their teams is impressive. If the School of Excellence kicks in as they plan they will be a force at all age groups. From a competitive standpoint, and as a parent of a Maple player, I'm thankful they don't combine their Boston and Cape teams. :) Phew.

But every ranking system. gotsoccer, mathman, SC wins, etc., shows their teams are weaker than Maple d1.

But every ranking system. gotsoccer, mathman, SC wins, etc., shows their teams are weaker than Maple d1.

So?

My child has played them in tournaments and has friends on their teams.

If MPS combined their teams and substituted judiciously they'd be top tier Maple D1 with the more than occasional regional or national level team. Boys and girls.

If the SOE program begins to draw top kids in, watch out even if they don't combine teams.

What model are they copying? Is it CASL from NC?

[Cujo]

Re: oakwood

[Oakwood might also be an option for kids in Western Mass. The D'Agostinos of Longmeadow (brother and sister on National teams) are one example.

Are they in Maple?

No[/quo

Oakwood is traditionally a boys club with a weaker girls's program.

I'm not so sure about that - I have not seen them play for a few years but I remember some fairly good girls teams playing against MAPLE teams at Nashua and beating them. Things may have changed though.

[Cujo]

2008 DESTINATION TEAMS

u14B BOLTS u14G STARS
u15B BLAST u15G STARS
u16B BOLTS u16G STARS
u17B BOLTS u17G STARS

I don't know that I'd call the boys 15 Blast a "destination" team. It takes more than a state cup win to become a destination team. The team has been inconsistent, playing brilliantly at times, and poorly at others. And their coach certainly doesn't come across as someone many parents and kids feel they have to have. The club has become virtually non-existent in most other age groups, and there's no real ties to a credible college program anymore (the Tufts afilliation is gone).

The other clubs mentioned all have good coaches across all age groups, have competitive teams across most age groups, a history of playing in better competitions across most age groups, and a pattern of development starting at the youngest age groups. Those are all things that drive players to them.

The "Tufts" affiliation was of very little value to Blast/Lightning. The Tufts coaches from other sports did everything they could to intimidate and make life miserable for girls and boys aged 10 to 16. I can't count the number of times the baseball coach screamed at an 10 year old girl because their soccer ball rolled "near" the baseball field. So many restrictions were placed on practice and game field use that you were lucky to get one practice a week and 2 games per year at the Tufts fields. As a coach you have to find your own fields. When Ralph was sick and not able to counter the efforts of the Field Hockey, Baseball, and other coaches from Tufts things were even worse. It was one of many reasons that I pulled my daughter out of the club after 4 years. Nothing is worse than watching a 45 year old male bully a 10 year old girl. The baseball coach was the biggest asshat of them all. I do have to say though that I thought the Lightning / Blast coaches were generally very good, esp at the older ages.

[FSM]

The "Tufts" affiliation was of very little value to Blast/Lightning. The Tufts coaches from other sports did everything they could to intimidate and make life miserable for girls and boys aged 10 to 16. I can't count the number of times the baseball coach screamed at an 10 year old girl because their soccer ball rolled "near" the baseball field. So many restrictions were placed on practice and game field use that you were lucky to get one practice a week and 2 games per year at the Tufts fields. As a coach you have to find your own fields. When Ralph was sick and not able to counter the efforts of the Field Hockey, Baseball, and other coaches from Tufts things were even worse. It was one of many reasons that I pulled my daughter out of the club after 4 years. Nothing is worse than watching a 45 year old male bully a 10 year old girl. The baseball coach was the biggest asshat of them all. I do have to say though that I thought the Lightning / Blast coaches were generally very good, esp at the older ages.

That brings up some memories. My very first Maple game experience as a parent was at Tufts in 1995. We were all in awe to have our kids playing soccer on the fields of Tufts University.........until the sprinkler system on the field went off. :roll: Welcome to Maple soccer!

The "Tufts" affiliation was of very little value to Blast/Lightning. The Tufts coaches from other sports did everything they could to intimidate and make life miserable for girls and boys aged 10 to 16. I can't count the number of times the baseball coach screamed at an 10 year old girl because their soccer ball rolled "near" the baseball field. So many restrictions were placed on practice and game field use that you were lucky to get one practice a week and 2 games per year at the Tufts fields. As a coach you have to find your own fields. When Ralph was sick and not able to counter the efforts of the Field Hockey, Baseball, and other coaches from Tufts things were even worse. It was one of many reasons that I pulled my daughter out of the club after 4 years. Nothing is worse than watching a 45 year old male bully a 10 year old girl. The baseball coach was the biggest asshat of them all. I do have to say though that I thought the Lightning / Blast coaches were generally very good, esp at the older ages.

That brings up some memories. My very first Maple game experience as a parent was at Tufts in 1995. We were all in awe to have our kids playing soccer on the fields of Tufts University.........until the sprinkler system on the field went off. :roll: Welcome to Maple soccer!

Sounds like the BB Coach turned them on :D

So what makes a Club a destinaton Club? What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

As posted earlier, "most now MPS, recently Maple experienced, parents have explained the MPS training is much better. It is year long, consistent and complete."

MPS is able to focus on development versus relegation.

All clubs talk the player development talk. MPS is focused on creating a structure and environment to walk the walk.

and is not at the premier league teams' level of getting into tournaments

if the prem. league team gets relegated out, then they will be playing at the same tournaments as MPS or lower, so what?

2008 DESTINATION TEAMS

u14B BOLTS u14G STARS
u15B BLAST u15G STARS
u16B BOLTS u16G STARS
u17B BOLTS u17G STARS

I don't know that I'd call the boys 15 Blast a "destination" team. It takes more than a state cup win to become a destination team. The team has been inconsistent, playing brilliantly at times, and poorly at others. And their coach certainly doesn't come across as someone many parents and kids feel they have to have. The club has become virtually non-existent in most other age groups, and there's no real ties to a credible college program anymore (the Tufts afilliation is gone).

The other clubs mentioned all have good coaches across all age groups, have competitive teams across most age groups, a history of playing in better competitions across most age groups, and a pattern of development starting at the youngest age groups. Those are all things that drive players to them.

The "Tufts" affiliation was of very little value to Blast/Lightning. The Tufts coaches from other sports did everything they could to intimidate and make life miserable for girls and boys aged 10 to 16. I can't count the number of times the baseball coach screamed at an 10 year old girl because their soccer ball rolled "near" the baseball field. So many restrictions were placed on practice and game field use that you were lucky to get one practice a week and 2 games per year at the Tufts fields. As a coach you have to find your own fields. When Ralph was sick and not able to counter the efforts of the Field Hockey, Baseball, and other coaches from Tufts things were even worse. It was one of many reasons that I pulled my daughter out of the club after 4 years. Nothing is worse than watching a 45 year old male bully a 10 year old girl. The baseball coach was the biggest asshat of them all. I do have to say though that I thought the Lightning / Blast coaches were generally very good, esp at the older ages.

No Tom Mitch = No Good Program

or is there a quantity or quality of training that makes MPS a better experience?

Yes

So what makes a Club a destinaton Club? What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

For 99% of the players, getting into college is their measure of success. So the answer to your question is a question: How can MPS be as successful as Scorps or Stars with college with less wins and losses?

So what makes a Club a destinaton Club? What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

For 99% of the players, getting into college is their measure of success. So the answer to your question is a question: How can MPS be as successful as Scorps or Stars with college with less wins and losses?

They do an exceptional job getting many into schools with $$