ECNL Grade based?

[Unregistered]

Is the ECNL really going grade based next year, or is that just a rumor?

[Unregistered]

Fake news.

[Unregistered]

So it is really not happening?

[Unregistered]

Nothings announced. If they're going to do it it would need to be announced soon to give clubs a chance to adjust for he tryout period.

[Unregistered]

That would be sweet.

[Unregistered]

With the recruiting timeline being pushed back, ECNL could really help by having full individual grade based teams next year. Otherwise, the 2002s (current 10th & 11th graders) have to join with the 2001s that are current 11th graders. For our club that would mean a u18/19 roster of 27. Many deserving players that have played ECNL for years, will have to be cut.

GDA is going to single age groups at u16 and u17 next year so they don’t lose those cut players to ecnl. Ecnl will lose those that they’ve been getting at that transition. GDA still has u18/u19 tho and can’t drop it due to the cluster caused by birth year. If ECNL did grade aged groups for next year, they’d get almost all the juniors and seniors in every state. And most likely more freshmen and sophomores too. Now with ECNL2 coming into play as well, it will be even more important to get a higher percentage of the top players. Waiting only makes it harder and lets the GDA get more entrenched...and they might allow hs play at any time.

[Unregistered]

That would be great if it happens.

[Unregistered]

Ecnl would also be getting out in front of recruiting violations (extra important right now!) because NCAA recruiting timelines go by grade also. The ncaa could care less what year a player is born! If the teams were grade based next year, college coaches would be less likely to make any recruiting violations because ALL the players on a team would be in the same grade and thus on the exact same recruiting timeline! Hopefully, ECNL has figured out what a smart move this would be and is working on rolling it out as we speak!

[Unregistered]

Is the ECNL really going grade based next year, or is that just a rumor?

All this talk. Answer to your question is that it is just a rumor

[Unregistered]

Ecnl would also be getting out in front of recruiting violations (extra important right now!) because NCAA recruiting timelines go by grade also. The ncaa could care less what year a player is born! If the teams were grade based next year, college coaches would be less likely to make any recruiting violations because ALL the players on a team would be in the same grade and thus on the exact same recruiting timeline! Hopefully, ECNL has figured out what a smart move this would be and is working on rolling it out as we speak!

College coaches do not go to games to watch teams play. They go to games to watch individuals play. They know what graduation year a player is. Even if another player catches their eye at a game it takes about 30 seconds to determine graduation year. They could care less about "birth year" vs "grade'

[Unregistered]

Our club announced tryouts already and still birth year.

[Unregistered]

They could care less about "birth year" vs "grade'

Don't you mean that they COULDN'T care less, bright boy?

[Unregistered]

Our club announced tryouts already and still birth year.

Too bad. Now the 2003s & 04s are going to stay in GDA because they get their own GDA age group next year and don’t have to combine. Ecnl would’ve gotten a bunch of 02sand 01s bumped from having to combine at GDA next year but now ecnl will have to combine as well. Fun for all of next year’s uncommitted juniors. ECNL missed its window to gain market share and make recruiting and soccer life easier for everyone. Soccer participation is already down 15%. The slide will continue.

[Unregistered]

Too bad. Now the 2003s & 04s are going to stay in GDA because they get their own GDA age group next year and don’t have to combine. Ecnl would’ve gotten a bunch of 02sand 01s bumped from having to combine at GDA next year but now ecnl will have to combine as well. Fun for all of next year’s uncommitted juniors. ECNL missed its window to gain market share and make recruiting and soccer life easier for everyone. Soccer participation is already down 15%. The slide will continue.

ECNL isn't concerned. They're doing just fine while GDA crumbles from within. Overall participation in soccer is down, but not at the higher levels.

[Unregistered]

ECNL isn't concerned. They're doing just fine while GDA crumbles from within. Overall participation in soccer is down, but not at the higher levels.

Thanks JD, hows them west ECNL teams in basement going.