U14 Stars

Re: U14 Stars

Assuming these facts are correct (I don't know) - some players should be playing up for their development. Making them play down for the good of the team might make some parents on that team happy but it may not be the best for that player.

If this is correct, might it be possible that one or two of the standouts on the U15 team get moved up to the U16 team?

If you look at the Stars website they have 18. Whatever the qualifications of those two players, it looks like there's no room.

Re: U14 Stars

Roster limit is now 22. Also, chances are there will be injuries along the way.

Re: U14 Stars

Interesting - and you think they've asked to be moved up and that it is the best for their development?

Or was this just speculation?

Re: U14 Stars

Remember the Stars put the players where they will develop, this is completely different from their closest rival. They have lost players to Stars because of the rule.

What this poster means is that the Stars will allow players to play up, while the Scorpions won't. For the Stars U14s, for example, half of the goals scored in the Regionals, and most of the goals in the nationals, were scored by a girl playing up.

What is the rationale behind the Scorpions' refusal to allow players to play up (or "develop")?

Re: U14 Stars

Winning championships!

Re: U14 Stars

Winning championships!

That doesn't make sense. It seems to me that's the rationale for the Stars letting players play up. If the Stars U14s hadn't allowed their striker to play up, there is no way they would have won the Regional championship.

Re: U14 Stars

This is an old song and dance about the Scorpions. Basically they have a rule that players must play with their soccer ages (rather than grade) unless you can get an exception from the their board.

Stars has no rule and are clearly more flexible, but that doesn't mean that all players that want to or are capable of can play up. Movement between teams can be disruptive and one would hope there is some oversight to the whole process. It is likely a balancing process which is good in some ways (all aspects are considered) but just as open to complaints of politics and favoriticism as the Scorpions' rule and exception.

But this is just a guess.

Re: U14 Stars

Stars has no rule and are clearly more flexible, but that doesn't mean that all players that want to or are capable of can play up. Movement between teams can be disruptive and one would hope there is some oversight to the whole process. It is likely a balancing process which is good in some ways (all aspects are considered) but just as open to complaints of politics and favoriticism as the Scorpions' rule and exception.

But this is just a guess.

The Scorpion rule was to dodge the politics AND to insure team /club success. FM even said so in past forum discussions.

Re: U14 Stars

Here is what DOESN'T happen.

A player tries out for a Stars team, the director or coach says, 'you are so strong, you belong at a higher age group.'

Here is what ACTUALLY happens.

A player tries out for a Stars team and either makes it or does not make it based on merit, and then when the coaches/staff figure out that the player is underage, they try to figure out if that is going to be an issue.

So, it's incorrect to say that the Stars makes all these great decisions to move players up to challenge them. They basically want all the talented players they can get (rightfully so) so they try not to turn away a talented player just because she wants to play up. If that was the case, the star player of the rising U15 team would be playing for the U16 team as well, she's that good.

Regarding Scorpions, it looks like you're all right. Holding their Nat Team player back in her own age group instead of seeing how talented she was and then having her play up has really hurt her development.

No club that I know of actually looks at players and says 'oh, you belong at this older age group to challenge you.' Name one if you know it.

Re: U14 Stars

Here is what DOESN'T happen.

A player tries out for a Stars team, the director or coach says, 'you are so strong, you belong at a higher age group.'

Here is what ACTUALLY happens.

A player tries out for a Stars team and either makes it or does not make it based on merit, and then when the coaches/staff figure out that the player is underage, they try to figure out if that is going to be an issue.

So, it's incorrect to say that the Stars makes all these great decisions to move players up to challenge them. They basically want all the talented players they can get (rightfully so) so they try not to turn away a talented player just because she wants to play up. If that was the case, the star player of the rising U15 team would be playing for the U16 team as well, she's that good.

Regarding Scorpions, it looks like you're all right. Holding their Nat Team player back in her own age group instead of seeing how talented she was and then having her play up has really hurt her development.

No club that I know of actually looks at players and says 'oh, you belong at this older age group to challenge you.' Name one if you know it.

Here is what DOESN'T happen:

"A player tries out for a Stars team and either makes it or does not make it based on merit, and then when the coaches/staff figure out that the player is underage, they try to figure out if that is going to be an issue."

Here is what ACTUALLY happens:

Stars coaches scout opposing teams and make offers to outstanding opponents in full knowledge of their age.

Here is what must be a JOKE:

"Regarding Scorpions, it looks like you're all right. Holding their Nat Team player back in her own age group instead of seeing how talented she was and then having her play up has really hurt her development."