Bridgewater Challenge Cup vs. others.

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You did the right thing.

Pay no mind to the club supporters here. They are relentless in their pursuit of money. They don't own you, you are their consumer, don't forget that. Winning tournaments brings money to them, period. Hence the overemphasis on the win at all costs model in lieu of proper development.

Said the ever angry soccer Dad or Mom.

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Said the ever angry soccer Dad or Mom.

Said the ever paranoid club supporter.

[Unregistered]

After spending an incredibly raw weekend of begrudgingly driving back and forth between tournaments for my daughter I would have to honestly say that the Bridgewater was the most impressive tournament I have ever been to. While all of her club games on Saturday where rescheduled in Needham all of her games in Bridgewater went off on time and they provided great competition for her team. In fact she passed up on playing for her club team Sunday, in Needham, and played for her town team in Bridgewater for one game plus the championship. While her team ended up losing in the end I couldn't help notice how much fun she had with her friends. The girls that won got championship beach towels and my daughter got finalist beach towels. The guy handing out awards made the girls feel great and my daughter came back with a huge smile on her face. It really opened my eyes to what sports are supposed to be about!

People on TS are getting upset over this post??? How incredibly insecure if you think this was a parent taking a shot at anyone. The parent just made a point that the kid had fun and it opened his/her eyes some.

[Unregistered]

People on TS are getting upset over this post??? How incredibly insecure if you think this was a parent taking a shot at anyone. The parent just made a point that the kid had fun and it opened his/her eyes some.

What's the cost to play on a town team vs. club? Now you know why club parents are insanely paranoid and insecure.

[Unregistered]

To play on a town team would run about 80 to 150 max. Compared to club 800 to 2500

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To play on a town team would run about 80 to 150 max. Compared to club 800 to 2500

McDonald's is cheaper than Capital Grille too.

[Unregistered]

McDonald's is cheaper than Capital Grille too.

Yea, but the point is that most people are going to the Capital Grille, and getting served McDonalds.

[Unregistered]

Yea, but the point is that most people are going to the Capital Grille, and getting served McDonalds.

Buyer beware. If you feel it is an inferior product, do not buy it.

[Unregistered]

Buyer beware

Yes to many mom and pop shops thats the problem. But if parents are willing to spend than why not. Is all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$.

[Unregistered]

Buyer beware

Yes to many mom and pop shops thats the problem. But if parents are willing to spend than why not. Is all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$.

It is called Capitalism. I think people start complaining about the money when their expectations are not being met. Is it a poor coach, is it that their player is not improving or just that soccer is not as important as it once was. My kids have played for a few clubs. The cost has spanned the spectrum.

You have to match the right club to the goals/expectations of the kid/parent. If you go to a larger club it is more organized, and you will travel. It will cost more, and it is always more than you think.

If you go small, it is less organized, and the games and tournaments will be local. These are choices and they are fairly clear ones. Assess your desires and make a decision that best suits those desires.

[Unregistered]

It is called Capitalism. I think people start complaining about the money when their expectations are not being met. Is it a poor coach, is it that their player is not improving or just that soccer is not as important as it once was. My kids have played for a few clubs. The cost has spanned the spectrum.

You have to match the right club to the goals/expectations of the kid/parent. If you go to a larger club it is more organized, and you will travel. It will cost more, and it is always more than you think.

( I disagree about large clubs, if the players go to a larger club with multiple teams in each age group your kids get left behind uless he or she is in the top 8 or 10 players on the top team. The kids and parents become the funding of the top teir teams with in the club BTDT.)

If you go small, it is less organized, and the games and tournaments will be local. These are choices and they are fairly clear ones. Assess your desires and make a decision that best
suits those desires.

( If you stay with smaller structure clubs you may get better results your kids get more attention than, if you go to the big clubs. Big clubs use big name coaches and previous success to draw players and parents to them until they realize the little mia or messi is not what they are made up to be. By than it will be to late and thousands of dollars spent already.) Again agree with poster assess your desire and make decisions based on the reliastic athletism of your own childs capability.

I have coached for a small club in maples and coached at Region one level, and I BTDT with all the traveling across country playing your PDA, Las vegas big name tournaments of the world. The experiences were great for players and parents. I not once took a player to just place on my roster, so the club can collect $ from the parents. Un ethical and not fear the the player and parents.

Would I do it again, probably not. Same results with less committiment if done right. The parents who are realistics about there little mia or messi can really do well if they listen to the right advices. (Of course like you its capitalism people will sell or tell you anything as long as they get what they want $) Its the parents who has to wake up and see the big picture.

[Unregistered]

People on TS are getting upset over this post??? How incredibly insecure if you think this was a parent taking a shot at anyone. The parent just made a point that the kid had fun and it opened his/her eyes some.

Welcome to TS. Any hint of club negativity, on any level, and you will be ridiculed.

[Unregistered]

Welcome to TS. Any hint of club negativity, on any level, and you will be ridiculed.

The OP was called out because he bailed on a club commitment to attend a rec tournament. Bad form. Simple.