MPS letters

[Unregistered]

My kid is playing in college. If you are inferring that I am delusional, I can assure you that is not the case. In my college discussions with the MPS staff, it became clear to me that other than a 10,000 foot view of the process (which I knew better than they did) there was very little done. Did not expect much more but to see the college recruiting claims on the website, is at best misleading. Glad you were happier with your experience.

I guess the question that begs asking is what did you expect? It sounds like I had both of your experiences. The first time I got more help because I asked for more help. I was new to it and they gave me a fair amount of guidance. The second time through, I didn't need the help because much like you I had experience and knew what to do. The second coach did what I asked for only I didn't ask for much.

[Unregistered]

I guess the question that begs asking is what did you expect? It sounds like I had both of your experiences. The first time I got more help because I asked for more help. I was new to it and they gave me a fair amount of guidance. The second time through, I didn't need the help because much like you I had experience and knew what to do. The second coach did what I asked for only I didn't ask for much.

My point is that the college process is fairly self driven. In my first go around I was surprised at how "hands off" the process was. In general I think any club claiming to offer significant help with the process is not being truthful. Getting recruited is a part time job for most kids. Unless of course you are truly elite and there are only a handful of those.

[Unregistered]

This isn't the only club that does this. Its a way to make sure you have a core. If you never heard of this than maybe that's a hint.

My experience with three kids, five different clubs and a cumulative youth soccer experience of 30+ years is that this IS a different, not to mention a bit sleazy, tactic. Every club without exception would tell my kids and/or me before the tryouts if they would get a spot on the team the next year (always with the caveat of "you never know who will show up to tryouts") but NEVER asked for money up front to "secure" a spot. My kids played NEFC, Stars, Scorpions, Blazers and Galway so a fairly wide selection of Eastern Mass clubs and for sure a few MPS rivals if not better than MPS clubs.

If I had to guess, I think MPS is concerned about losing their top players to the ECNL or DAP programs which will have their tryouts, like all other clubs, in June. This is the age when the kids can compete for spots on these teams. I know in the past MPS have lost many players to these programs and must be real agitated about that. This tactic really informs you of MPS' priorit - income versus what is best for your son/daughter.

Parents, do not fall victim to this tactic. If MPS wants your kid that badly now, they'll without a doubt want your kid that badly after tryouts. And here's another thing to chew on: if they cut your kids because you wouldn't commit prematurely, do you really want to be a part of that?

[Unregistered]

Dear Susan Heartbeat,

We a proud to offer you a official roster spot for the MPS (insert team name) for the 2013-2014 season. We will be including in the fee's anything we can get away with because once you make your first payment your are bound to pay. It doesn't matter that your family might want to use the one time of the year for yourself, it's about development and we cannot develop into the club we are without your payment. Don't forget, you haven't bounced a check this past season and we won a game so we are going to offer you new uniforms at a crazy arsk discount of $399.00. If we receive 1/2 of your payment by the start of the fall season you will not be penalized the 10% compounding late fee for the first day.

In becoming part of the club you are required to find 4 players to bring to tryouts. Don't worry if they can't make the tryout date as we almost gaurentee that we will take the player. There is plenty of room in our select program and if we can get enough players you are eligible for a .00001% discount on your last payment for the year. (Don't worry we promise our coaches will be available for at least 6 months. You can trust me because I'm going nowhere)

DISCLAIMER: Our coaches are young and get homesick often. They may go home and never return because we will not pay them more than $5.00 a hour.

(Good luck and remember you have 24hrs to pay that first installment of $1200.00 or your spot will be going to the first heartbeat willing to pay.)

Sincerely,

Coach Ineedajob McPaddy



Hi Folks,

This is my vision of the threads slamming MPS in a SNL format. Enjoy as this appears to be what people think is funny.

[Unregistered]

Dear Susan Heartbeat,

We a proud to offer you a official roster spot for the MPS (insert team name) for the 2013-2014 season. We will be including in the fee's anything we can get away with because once you make your first payment your are bound to pay. It doesn't matter that your family might want to use the one time of the year for yourself, it's about development and we cannot develop into the club we are without your payment. Don't forget, you haven't bounced a check this past season and we won a game so we are going to offer you new uniforms at a crazy arsk discount of $399.00. If we receive 1/2 of your payment by the start of the fall season you will not be penalized the 10% compounding late fee for the first day.

In becoming part of the club you are required to find 4 players to bring to tryouts. Don't worry if they can't make the tryout date as we almost gaurentee that we will take the player. There is plenty of room in our select program and if we can get enough players you are eligible for a .00001% discount on your last payment for the year. (Don't worry we promise our coaches will be available for at least 6 months. You can trust me because I'm going nowhere)

DISCLAIMER: Our coaches are young and get homesick often. They may go home and never return because we will not pay them more than $5.00 a hour.

(Good luck and remember you have 24hrs to pay that first installment of $1200.00 or your spot will be going to the first heartbeat willing to pay.)

Sincerely,

Coach Ineedajob McPaddy



Hi Folks,

This is my vision of the threads slamming MPS in a SNL format. Enjoy as this appears to be what people think is funny.

Cute and sums up the whining.

[Unregistered]

By far Boston's strongest sport nationally is Hockey. The youth teams are really top in the country and ALL programs offer the "contact" to the core kids several months in advance of tryouts. Others are told they are on the bubble and should strive to improve over the coming months.

I have been on both sides over the years, but I like the system. If you have a good coach then sign, if not, don't.

[Unregistered]

By far Boston's strongest sport nationally is Hockey. The youth teams are really top in the country and ALL programs offer the "contact" to the core kids several months in advance of tryouts. Others are told they are on the bubble and should strive to improve over the coming months.

I have been on both sides over the years, but I like the system. If you have a good coach then sign, if not, don't.

What the payment does is tell you how stable the team is going to be right then and there. That is just as good for the families as it is the club. NO ONE wants to be involved with a team that doesn't have enough numbers because it is a real PITA to try and recruit players after tryouts. The team will end up always being on the brink. Far better that everyone knows what the situation is up front. Watch, the parents who bitch the loudest about this are usually the first ones to blow out when they see what they think is a more attractive option. When they do that, it screws the remaining families who were counting on them.

[Unregistered]

MPS email's went out this week to parents of the players they want to keep! Sign up before Friday/pay and you don't have to tryout

They just trying to lock their best players for the next year, what is wrong with that ?

We have been playing for MPS for three years now and they do it every year asking to sign by June 1. What that means - their office is working ,not like some clubs who don't even have idea which player will stay or leave on tryout day.
For the record, we never signed by June 1. Always going to tryout with other club and then coming back to MPS.

[Unregistered]

They just trying to lock their best players for the next year, what is wrong with that ?

We have been playing for MPS for three years now and they do it every year asking to sign by June 1. What that means - their office is working ,not like some clubs who don't even have idea which player will stay or leave on tryout day.
For the record, we never signed by June 1. Always going to tryout with other club and then coming back to MPS.

If you are happy with MPS and the coaching that they provide then why would you always go tryout with another club? Seems strange. You certainly won't learn anything about the training and coaching of another club by attending a 2 day tryout with dozens of other kids? What's the point?

[Unregistered]

If you are happy with MPS and the coaching that they provide then why would you always go tryout with another club? Seems strange. You certainly won't learn anything about the training and coaching of another club by attending a 2 day tryout with dozens of other kids? What's the point?

The sense of empowerment that options give you.

[Unregistered]

If you are happy with MPS and the coaching that they provide then why would you always go tryout with another club? Seems strange. You certainly won't learn anything about the training and coaching of another club by attending a 2 day tryout with dozens of other kids? What's the point?

1. To keep your options open and have alternatives.
2. To know that he can make another club, get his confidence up and see how he compares to other boys .
3. Tryouts is like extra practice, you cannot have enough practices.
4. You can certainly learn something about other clubs and their coaching from tryout,not everything but something.
5. Tryouts are FREE . You don't want to go - don't go.

[Unregistered]

If you are happy with MPS and the coaching that they provide then why would you always go tryout with another club? Seems strange. You certainly won't learn anything about the training and coaching of another club by attending a 2 day tryout with dozens of other kids? What's the point?

You never be happy and 100% satisfied with anything,unless you are DEAD and it doesn't matter anymore.

[Unregistered]

1. To keep your options open and have alternatives. Options are only options if you can actually see using one, otherwise doing things for the sake of creating options is a waste of time and money
2. To know that he can make another club, get his confidence up and see how he compares to other boys . Works the other way as well
3. Tryouts is like extra practice, you cannot have enough practices.You are always just one cut away from an ACL tear. The more you practice the greater the odds. Eventually you learn that quality is much more important than quantity
4. You can certainly learn something about other clubs and their coaching from tryout,not everything but something.Everyone is always nice at a sales presentation
5. Tryouts are FREE . You don't want to go - don't go. So isn't bashing your head against the wall.

[Unregistered]

If this is all true than how much was the contract costing you this year and what is included?

[Unregistered]

1. To keep your options open and have alternatives. Options are only options if you can actually see using one, otherwise doing things for the sake of creating options is a waste of time and money
2. To know that he can make another club, get his confidence up and see how he compares to other boys . Works the other way as well
3. Tryouts is like extra practice, you cannot have enough practices.You are always just one cut away from an ACL tear. The more you practice the greater the odds. Eventually you learn that quality is much more important than quantity
4. You can certainly learn something about other clubs and their coaching from tryout,not everything but something.Everyone is always nice at a sales presentation
5. Tryouts are FREE . You don't want to go - don't go. So isn't bashing your head against the wall.

Just reading your red notes and thinking - the best is to sit on the couch and watch TV. No wasting time,no extra money,no risk whatsoever of tearing ACL. What a wonderful life .