The ECNL Sales Pitch - Fact or Fiction

[Unregistered]

That's what I thought, what I couldn't understand was why you chose to bash me? I have agreed with your position throught the thead.

DYOR

ah, my bad, I misread your post. This whole ECNL vs R1/ODP/Showcase thing is getting to me. Bottom line is, if your kid capable of making it, they will get the exposure in either path.

[Unregistered]

huh? Are you saying the OP is right and the Scorpions are lying or are you saying the OP is wrong and the Scorpions' position is supported by facts?

DYOR

DYOR .. See the issues. Now you are BTDT. As far as the email that was cited in post #1 goes it is in fact a real email. I have seen one exactly like it myself. Take a step back for a moment and put yourself in the position of the parent who received it. How do you think you would feel if you where on a non-ECNL team and actually believed that what you were doing was what made the most sense? Seriously what does anyone expect when they send a direct competitor some sales literature and essentially tell them they doing everything wrong? Would you expect the Democats to embrace such an emailing from the Tea Party? When I read I read that first post I didn't think they scoffed at the Scorpions, I thought they challenged their logic quite appropriately. Given that I know that the email my friend got was unsolicited the response in that post was actually pretty tame. We both know it could have been very different. That email really illustrates a major part of the issue quite clearly though. There are actually people out there bombarding the non-ECNL crowd with hype. You need to accept this fact and also deal with the fact that the information is seen as inflamatory by the recipients. Sorry to say but the fact that none of you seem to refute or otherwise step away from the obvious hype further links you to the lunatic elements that put that sort of biased BS out there. If you want to have some honest debate accept the valid crticism once and a while.

[Unregistered]

I am saying that the OP's cut and paste of the email or website posting or whatever it was is factual. All the BS that followed that typical he said/she said, my club is better than yours, this path is better is than that path TS babble.




ELITE CLUBS NATIONAL LEAGUE (ECNL)

The Elite Clubs National League is the highest level of girls youth soccer that exists in the United States. The top 60 girls clubs in the United States were chosen through a rigorous evaluation process based on coaching staff, history of team success at the national level, and history of development of elite/national level players. More info on the league is available here: www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com - FACT



Scorpions is one of two Massachusetts clubs in the league, with the other being Stars of Mass. The U13-U18 teams play a regional schedule against the other ECNL clubs from the Northeast region. At the U15 and older age groups, this regional schedule is supplemented by several ECNL Showcase events. - FACT

3 areas are crucial for 'ELITE' player development:

1) playing on a great team so each player is pushed to the max every training session
2) playing against the best competition in the country
3) quality coaching.

-FACT (although imo high level talents are born with the ability but they need the inner drive)

With the ECNL, our teams are playing against the best competition in the United States and at Scorpions, we have a proven track record of taking players to the next level! -FACT (we will never have a true national league in the country - too many agendas, too much money, and unexplainable hubris by the powers that be)

Since we joined, the Elite Clubs National League has just been an incredible experience. In addition to playing against the top competition in the country, the opportunities for player identification are endless. Every ECNL showcase event features US National Team Staff on hand to evaluate players. ---You could argue the incredbile experience is opinion, but overal Fact.

McKenzie Meehan from the U17 ECNL team was just called into the United States Under 18 Womens National Team based solely on her performance in the league (see article here: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-...opped_aid24340. ----The argument that her callup was due to her HS exploits ring thing allow as RI is not exactly a hotbed of HS soccer, so I'll call this a FACT

The majority of college recruiting takes place at the ECNL showcases (300+ college coaches at the NJ showcase over Memorial Day weekend alone!!!!). Because of the extraordinary opportunities presented through the ECNL, of the 55 players rostered on our current U17-U19 teams, 46 are or will be playing Division 1 soccer, 3 will be playing in Division 2, and 6 in Division 3. A partial list of matriculations: FACT

Boston College (3)
UCLA
Maryland (2)
Georgetown
Harvard (2)
Yale (2)
Princeton
Brown
Providence (5)
UConn
UMass
And about 25 others! FACT

It is not FACT. It is self serving BULL****

[Unregistered]

Here is a copy of the Scorpions sales pitch inviting players to their tryouts. It is like many other such emails clubs send out at this time of year. In it the Scorpions make several statements that I believe should be challenged as quite misleading. Specifically:

1-The 3 areas they say are crucial for 'ELITE' player development - The assumption seems to be that simply playing on one of their teams qualifies the player as "ELITE" and nowhere do they seem to suggest that actual talent is needed or that hard work is required.

2- The idea that the ECNL represents the highest level of competition in the country and that simply partaking in that competition will elevate a player to "the next level". The assumption clearly is that the ECNL is the only place where competitive games get played.

3- The idea that the ECNL represents some unique opportunity to be included in the US National team. The notion being sold is that the ECNL will give a player a better shot at making it to the US National team than all of the other venues out there.

4- The idea the the majority of college recruiting takes place at ECNL events. The inference is that showcases are the only place where college coaches recruit and that the ECNL showcases are the only showcases that they actually attend.

5- The idea that the club deserves more credit for a player earning a soccer scholarship than the player themselves. The claim that obviously is being made is the Scorpions created the player's success and can replicate that success for another player.

When you read this sort of email it is quite easy to understand why there is so much division between the ECNL and Non clubs. At the very least these statements have to be looked upon as controversial. Many would argue that they really stretch the boundaries of truth. What say you?

A reasoned response.

[Unregistered]

ah, my bad, I misread your post. This whole ECNL vs R1/ODP/Showcase thing is getting to me. Bottom line is, if your kid capable of making it, they will get the exposure in either path.

Exactly, either path! ECNL does NOT have exclusivity on exposure. If that's what you're being told, you're being lied to. Same goes for the alternate. I was lied to by the ECNL coach. When my daughter was being recruited to ecnl, I was told this is the best way to play at a D1. Only our club can get her the recognition she deserves, and it won't cost you a penny more. I don't/cannot believe that. Based on that, what I call the scare tactic sales pitch, we declined and will remain on the same path. Now flip this scenario and I would say this same thing about the path my daughter is on now. Just don't listen to the bull**** sales pitch. Do what is best for your family and daughter.

[Unregistered]

A reasoned response.

You took their email, interpreted it in the most inflamatory way, intentionally twisted their words and presented your opinion as fact. How is that a reasoned response.

Instead of attacking, why don't you put together a post that describes you opinion about the your path and why it is right for you?

You won't because its so much easier to keep bobbing and weaving, using all the various alternatives simultaneously as your position.

ECNL too expensive - sure town is cheaper
ECNL showcases you in front of coaches you have no interest in - local teams are so much better
ECNL competition is not that good - National league is better (who in Mass is in the National league at the moment anyway?)

Pick a club, pick a philosophy and debate point for point on the merits instead of bashing away without showing any of the flaws of your way of doing things.

[Unregistered]

In celebration of btdt's record posting day, I want to say that post #216 is right on target.

I reviewed the original Scorpions email and the initial response here. There was nothing unusual or controversial about that email. Any good club, ECNL or non-ECNL, could have emailed something just like that and I would venture to say that most if not all have something very similar posted in a story on their websites. They email made no claims about kids not being able to succeed outside of ECNL. All of those 5 or 6 counter points are wrong, based on distortions, and playing fast and free with the email. I would go through them all but that would too tedious (but easy). There is nothing in that email that you wouldn't find in a DAP club email. I am more familiar with the boys side, but non-DAP clubs highlights the benefits or their program and their accomplishments, including commitments, as well. Should we assume that because Western United posts college commitment that they are thereby suggesting that no other clubs can produce college players??? I actually think the email was relatively muted, considering all the hubbub here. No mention of the Mewis sisters at all. This is simply advertising, an advertising flyer. No different than all the brochures and viewbooks you'll get in the mail from colleges all over the country. When you get an incredible sounding brochure from Vassar listing famous alums and the all the great benefits of their programs, do we conclude that Wesleyan or Rice or Carleton or Pomona or lowly Rhodes don't have stellar results and their own famous alums. Absolutely not. Bottom line....there was absolutely nothing controversial, or wrong, about that email.

[Unregistered]

You took their email, interpreted it in the most inflamatory way, intentionally twisted their words and presented your opinion as fact. How is that a reasoned response.

Instead of attacking, why don't you put together a post that describes you opinion about the your path and why it is right for you?

You won't because its so much easier to keep bobbing and weaving, using all the various alternatives simultaneously as your position.

ECNL too expensive - sure town is cheaper
ECNL showcases you in front of coaches you have no interest in - local teams are so much better
ECNL competition is not that good - National league is better (who in Mass is in the National league at the moment anyway?)

Pick a club, pick a philosophy and debate point for point on the merits instead of bashing away without showing any of the flaws of your way of doing things.

Wow. You simply refuse to see that sending an inflamatory email out like that deserves a response. OK here is what you seem to want. Lets see how soundly it get trashed. I doubt any of the ECNL folks will agree but lets try.

I am in the camp that doesn't think the ECNL development model is the best because it puts too much emphasis on the competitions. Otherwise why travel? Creates too much pressure to win which I believe is counter productive to development. Would much rather play a bunch of friendlies against you guys and some older girls teams then just give it a whirl at the state cup. I like NEP for this reason. It is more informal.

I also don't believe the showcase model is the best way to go about getting recruited. I think it is completely inefficient and costs way too much money relative to the reward. I believe in the referral model which relies more on targeting based upon school fit and working to get to meet the coach there. I believe that all travel is completely over rated.

I also think the ODP route is far more productive a path to follow than the alternatives like ID2. Something like 90% of the National team has come through ODP and it actually give much better exposure because of things like Rider and the Inter Regionals. I believe that most of the players that end up going to camps like ID2 still participate in ODP and get indentified there first.

I share a dislike of commitment lists because I know they are completely misleading and have absolutely no bearing on what will happen in the future. I believe commitment lists are a cheap way to glam on to an athlete's personal success.

[Unregistered]

Wow. You simply refuse to see that sending an inflamatory email out like that deserves a response. OK here is what you seem to want. Lets see how soundly it get trashed. I doubt any of the ECNL folks will agree but lets try.

I am in the camp that doesn't think the ECNL development model is the best because it puts too much emphasis on the competitions. Otherwise why travel? Creates too much pressure to win which I believe is counter productive to development. Would much rather play a bunch of friendlies against you guys and some older girls teams then just give it a whirl at the state cup. I like NEP for this reason. It is more informal.

I also don't believe the showcase model is the best way to go about getting recruited. I think it is completely inefficient and costs way too much money relative to the reward. I believe in the referral model which relies more on targeting based upon school fit and working to get to meet the coach there. I believe that all travel is completely over rated.

I also think the ODP route is far more productive a path to follow than the alternatives like ID2. Something like 90% of the National team has come through ODP and it actually give much better exposure because of things like Rider and the Inter Regionals. I believe that most of the players that end up going to camps like ID2 still participate in ODP and get indentified there first.

I share a dislike of commitment lists because I know they are completely misleading and have absolutely no bearing on what will happen in the future. I believe commitment lists are a cheap way to glam on to an athlete's personal success.

All of your opinions are fine, but that doesn't equate to the email being inflammatory. That is such an enormous distortion. There are no lies in it. It doesn't attack anyone. It's actually quite benign. ECNL attracts a lot of coaches. People talk constantly about how DAP attracts a lot of coaches. None of that means you can't find another way or your way to get recruited if that's something you want to do. If all of these pages really have been about this email, then many of you really are unfortunate.

[Unregistered]

Wow. You simply refuse to see that sending an inflamatory email out like that deserves a response. OK here is what you seem to want. Lets see how soundly it get trashed. I doubt any of the ECNL folks will agree but lets try.

I am in the camp that doesn't think the ECNL development model is the best because it puts too much emphasis on the competitions. Otherwise why travel? Creates too much pressure to win which I believe is counter productive to development. Would much rather play a bunch of friendlies against you guys and some older girls teams then just give it a whirl at the state cup. I like NEP for this reason. It is more informal.

I also don't believe the showcase model is the best way to go about getting recruited. I think it is completely inefficient and costs way too much money relative to the reward. I believe in the referral model which relies more on targeting based upon school fit and working to get to meet the coach there. I believe that all travel is completely over rated.

I also think the ODP route is far more productive a path to follow than the alternatives like ID2. Something like 90% of the National team has come through ODP and it actually give much better exposure because of things like Rider and the Inter Regionals. I believe that most of the players that end up going to camps like ID2 still participate in ODP and get indentified there first.

I share a dislike of commitment lists because I know they are completely misleading and have absolutely no bearing on what will happen in the future. I believe commitment lists are a cheap way to glam on to an athlete's personal success.

Thank you - much better tone and easier for useful debate.

I don't feel the pressure to win in ECNL is not all that high. All teams get to all showcases regardless of standing. ECNL is in essence a showcase league. That is not to say that the team goes out to lose, but the way things are setup, there are plenty of games that are essentially friendlies (currently A vs B games for example).

For me, I want my kids teams to travel to test them against different teams. Until you see where you as an individual or a team stand vs the rest of the world, you don't really have a true measuring stick. Everyone knows who the top 2 or 3 teams in the area are, but how good are they really? That's what travel tells me.

I have a hard time believing in the referal model of recruiting. I just can't see how it can work for the majority of players. Too many college teams out there and coaches just don't have that many contacts.

id2 vs ODP. Meh. For true National caliber players, they will get found. For everyone else they are a resume builder at best. ODP does have the history behind it, id2 hasn't really been going long enough to evaluate. Not a big selling point for me either way.

I like commitment lists. Past performance doesn't represent future performance but I am truly a believer that no matter how much a club recruits, there is a lot of development that goes on between u13 and u18. Commitment lists give an outsider a feel for the standards a club is trying to attain.

DYOR

[Unregistered]

Here's MPS's sales pitch...

The MPS Premier Team Program aged 13-19 and the MPS Elite Team Program aged 10-12 is designed for serious and talented soccer players, focusing on the Technical , Tactical , Physical and Psychological development of individual players on a pathway towards achieving excellence in the game.. MPS strive to produce players who can compete at the highest level of College Soccer , the MLS , the USA national team and ultimately the highest level of soccer competition throughout the world.

And NEFC's...

NEFC prides itself by being committed to the premier player. The focus is to individually develop at an accelerated rate those players who have the desire and ability to take their game to the next level. NEFC recognizes the value of development first, knowing that the sole mission of the premier youth coach is to develop individuals first. With a strong coaching staff and a structured development plan, NEFC provides the "ultimate soccer experience".

As players mature, grow stronger in their technical and tactical abilities, and possess that desire to continue to raise their development, NEFC has established a program with the area's top college and professional coaches who are ready to lead and train these players. Having these coaches in place provides players with top level coaching, a challenging training regimen, and an opportunity for maximum exposure.

I find none of these, nor the Scorpion email inflamatory but if I wanted too I would say...

MPS is promising kids a spot on MLS and National team rosters.
NEFC is the saying the only place you can get exposure.

See what I mean?

[Unregistered]

Thank you poster #221!

I posted *217 and #219. These folks, including btdt, or maybe only btdt, are relentless and difficult to combat only because of their prolific persistence. Every club sells itself, even the brand new start-up clubs. "We have the finest coaches....we only employ licensed coaches with the best credentials available....we will maximize your kid's talent and put your child in the best position possible for exposure and college recruitment," etc, etc, etc. If you just take a moment and think about what the Scorpions or Stars or NEFC or whoeover might put in a hand-out at tryouts to potential candidates, what do you imagine each would say? Pretty simple stuff, and those who made an issue out of all of this have some really hard-core agenda they are trying to push. Or, in a nutshell, maybe it's just the #3 or #4 competitor trying really hard to nudge their way in. Either way, these posts are not what they say they are. They aren't correcting misinformation or misperceptions. They are trying to make folks take their eye off the ball, because they are selling something themselves.

[Unregistered]

Nice coincidence...

Just received an email from MPS announcing new summer programming.

The headline is...

"Introducing the latest MPS training program that will have you ahead of the rest for the new season"

And then this copy....

"The new functional training program has been specially designed to help players receive training that is specific to their position. One of the fastest growing coaching method, functional training is used by elite coaches over the world. By working in game like sitautions players will receive istruction on the skills and techniques needed to succeed in their role.

Whether you are an MPS player or you are looking for additional coaching in the summer this program is for you. The program will run for 4 weeks with two sessions per week. Each session will last for 1 ½ hours and will be focused on a specific position. The first two sessions will be focused on defending, the second on midfield play and sessions 5 and 6 will look at the role of attackers. The last two sessions will be centred on SAQ in game scenarios.

The flexibility of the program allows you to either attend the sessions that are relevant to your position or come for every session, the choice is yours! This is an open program available for anyone who wants to take their game to the next level."

Not trying to pick on MPS at all. Just sayin'. Pretty standard stuff that all of the competitive clubs send out. I will say that someone at MPS should proofread a little more carefully before distribution.

[Unregistered]

The whole tone and objectives are different. If you can't see it then you mind is closed.

[Unregistered]

The whole tone and objectives are different. If you can't see it then you mind is closed.

Objectives are exactly the same - getting as many people as possible to come to their club. To think any differently is naive.

BTW, I see nothing wrong with any of them.

They are advertising, like any other advertising. Don't read it as a how to manual, read it as an advertisment. Do you watch a Budwiser ad and thing wow, if only I drank that beer I'd be able to date all those beutiful girls?

Come on now.