ECNL-DA club jumping season is upon us

[Unregistered]

Top BDAs are funded so imposing restrictions on the participants seems more reasonable. I do think there is a bit of resentment that gda families are expected to pay for both HS programs and gda program but are forbidden from participating in the HS program.

How are you paying for a HS program? Through taxes?

Our taxes provide for many school programs, most of which a student is not able to participate in. I don't see this being an issue.

So, there is no resentment on a concern that doesn't exist.

[Unregistered]

In my area taxes are sky high and the public schools are top notch with expensive and quality programs in athletics, music, theatre, science, etc. People want to their kids to take advantage of what the districts offer and what they are all paying top dollar for to have excellence. It is the same educated, suburban demographic that these leagues are after including the gda. IMO, if the gda just adjusted to the reality of allowing HS play, they would better compete for more of the top talent to play in their league.

[Unregistered]

In my area taxes are sky high and the public schools are top notch with expensive and quality programs in athletics, music, theatre, science, etc. People want to their kids to take advantage of what the districts offer and what they are all paying top dollar for to have excellence. It is the same educated, suburban demographic that these leagues are after including the gda. IMO, if the gda just adjusted to the reality of allowing HS play, they would better compete for more of the top talent to play in their league.

Yes, taxes are high. But, that is irrelevant. Not every student gets to participate in every program your school offers. That's reality. It's not possible.

And, yes, while GDA allowing HS would likely increase the league, it goes against everything they believe in. They may be forced to change their philosophy, and I thought this time last year they would consider it. However, when the new Director came aboard she doubled-down on it. You can like the rule or not, but I just don't see them changing on it and are comfortable with that decision.

[Unregistered]

Yes, taxes are high. But, that is irrelevant. Not every student gets to participate in every program your school offers. That's reality. It's not possible.

And, yes, while GDA allowing HS would likely increase the league, it goes against everything they believe in. They may be forced to change their philosophy, and I thought this time last year they would consider it. However, when the new Director came aboard she doubled-down on it. You can like the rule or not, but I just don't see them changing on it and are comfortable with that decision.

I think the rule damages the league and they think it helps the league. Such is life.

[Unregistered]

I think the rule damages the league and they think it helps the league. Such is life.

Yep, not going to disagree for the most part. I think, short term, they are not getting the best players in the league. I think (and this is just me) they are looking at long term, and see the negative of HS, and it will swing eventually.

I guess we can get back to each other in 5-6 years and check our notes :-)

[Unregistered]

Oh, OK. Not sure how a club located 2000 miles away leaving affects my travel, but go on.

Your excuse was that when you go to national events you compete with strong teams from other regions. With this exodus it will be hard for you to use that to sell your product. But you are getting so weak that there is no need to travel as teams like oakwood and PA classics are beating you anyways.

[Unregistered]

Your excuse was that when you go to national events you compete with strong teams from other regions. With this exodus it will be hard for you to use that to sell your product. But you are getting so weak that there is no need to travel as teams like oakwood and PA classics are beating you anyways.

My excuse?

Anyhoo, when you go to National events you compete with equal competition.

[Unregistered]

My excuse?

Anyhoo, when you go to National events you compete with equal competition.

Then it begs this question: why travel 1000 miles to play weak competition? Play NEP

[Unregistered]

Then it begs this question: why travel 1000 miles to play weak competition? Play NEP

Because NEP and NPL was a brutally horrible experience.

But, you said weak, I said equal. The coaches we speak to seem to like seeing players in this environment. Maybe you should ask them why they aren't coming to NEP games?

[Unregistered]

Region currently served by Seacoast has room for growth to bring ECNL to 6 in NE.
Stars could send White to Springfield and serve So Vt, Western MA, and No CT - but there ls a reason they haven't done so already.

You cannot have an elite team in every single town in America. You need to have some limited quantity that are geographically placed to serve the overwhelming majority of elite players. And yes sometimes that will require some travel. But if you draw a 90 minute drive radius around the 4 MA ECNL clubs (with 5 teams of roster spots), that footprint already covers mostly all of the elite players. There may be a few outliers who live in remote places that would require extra travel to participate (and some do commit and travel), but there is certainly not enough of those players in that geographical territory (S VT, W MA, etc) to justify adding more clubs. And no, Seacoast would not be competitive in every age group of ECNL...if any.

Some elite players may CHOOSE not to play ECNL for whatever their own personal reasons are but for the most part it is accessible and available to all.

[Unregistered]

You cannot have an elite team in every single town in America. You need to have some limited quantity that are geographically placed to serve the overwhelming majority of elite players. And yes sometimes that will require some travel. But if you draw a 90 minute drive radius around the 4 MA ECNL clubs (with 5 teams of roster spots), that footprint already covers mostly all of the elite players. There may be a few outliers who live in remote places that would require extra travel to participate (and some do commit and travel), but there is certainly not enough of those players in that geographical territory (S VT, W MA, etc) to justify adding more clubs. And no, Seacoast would not be competitive in every age group of ECNL...if any.

Some elite players may CHOOSE not to play ECNL for whatever their own personal reasons are but for the most part it is accessible and available to all.

typo: 4 MA/CT ECNL clubs

[Unregistered]

Then it begs this question: why travel 1000 miles to play weak competition? Play NEP

NEP is recreational soccer at this point. There’s nothing wrong with that, since for most kids soccer is a hobby and it’s good to see these outlets for kids to be active and enjoy playing the beautiful game. Let’s not kid ourselves that the NEP is anything more than this.

[Unregistered]

You cannot have an elite team in every single town in America. You need to have some limited quantity that are geographically placed to serve the overwhelming majority of elite players. And yes sometimes that will require some travel. But if you draw a 90 minute drive radius around the 4 MA ECNL clubs (with 5 teams of roster spots), that footprint already covers mostly all of the elite players. There may be a few outliers who live in remote places that would require extra travel to participate (and some do commit and travel), but there is certainly not enough of those players in that geographical territory (S VT, W MA, etc) to justify adding more clubs. And no, Seacoast would not be competitive in every age group of ECNL...if any.

Some elite players may CHOOSE not to play ECNL for whatever their own personal reasons are but for the most part it is accessible and available to all.

Sorry, but I disagree. While it may be true to get there in 90 minutes with no traffic for us, the reality is those are 3 hours a day which we just do not have. If we did, I would've gladly accepted the ECNL offer presented to us. That is the case with many of the players, some of which (by no means all) who would fit skill-wise onto an ECNL roster.

[Unregistered]

Sorry, but I disagree. While it may be true to get there in 90 minutes with no traffic for us, the reality is those are 3 hours a day which we just do not have. If we did, I would've gladly accepted the ECNL offer presented to us. That is the case with many of the players, some of which (by no means all) who would fit skill-wise onto an ECNL roster.

You didn't disagree. You agreed. You are choosing not to for your own personal reasons (sounds like the travel time commitment) which makes perfect sense. Any top league by any standard is going to have some small percentage of players for whom they are good enough but it will not work whether that is convenience, travel, money, other commitments, or whatever. Some aren't willing to travel 90 minutes, or 60, or 30, or 15. That's a personal choice and it is arbitrary as to what length of time is deemed "acceptable" by any individual's standard.

My point is that you weren't excluded. You were INCLUDED if in fact you received an offer. But you chose something else that works better for your situation. Personal choice. That doesn't mean the organization needs to make changes. I'd prefer if there was an ECNL club in my town, and it was free, and we only played home games. But that isn't the case so we choose what works for us based on what is available.

Some certainly sacrifice by limiting their travel expenses (driving to games and tournaments), some set up carpools to practice/games, some are just willing and able to handle all of it themselves. But you should understand that the league would not exist and be this successful if the vast overwhelming majority of their target audience were not able to participate. The truth is most people who don't play ECNL either aren't willing to make the time sacrifice, don't have the money (which could apply to many youth sports leagues and is a separate conversation), prefer the club/situation they are in now, or simply don't have the soccer ability to make it.

Either way, no changes are needed.

[Unregistered]

You didn't disagree. You agreed. You are choosing not to for your own personal reasons (sounds like the travel time commitment) which makes perfect sense. Any top league by any standard is going to have some small percentage of players for whom they are good enough but it will not work whether that is convenience, travel, money, other commitments, or whatever. Some aren't willing to travel 90 minutes, or 60, or 30, or 15. That's a personal choice and it is arbitrary as to what length of time is deemed "acceptable" by any individual's standard.

My point is that you weren't excluded. You were INCLUDED if in fact you received an offer. But you chose something else that works better for your situation. Personal choice. That doesn't mean the organization needs to make changes. I'd prefer if there was an ECNL club in my town, and it was free, and we only played home games. But that isn't the case so we choose what works for us based on what is available.

Some certainly sacrifice by limiting their travel expenses (driving to games and tournaments), some set up carpools to practice/games, some are just willing and able to handle all of it themselves. But you should understand that the league would not exist and be this successful if the vast overwhelming majority of their target audience were not able to participate. The truth is most people who don't play ECNL either aren't willing to make the time sacrifice, don't have the money (which could apply to many youth sports leagues and is a separate conversation), prefer the club/situation they are in now, or simply don't have the soccer ability to make it.

Either way, no changes are needed.

No, I'm pretty clear in what I said and meant.

The reality is there are not enough teams in ECNL to cover the Region effectively. My family being offered a position, and declining, proves that capable players are excluded. There are more.

Instead, some have bought into the myth that to get a game, you have to drive into New Jersey vs. in your backyard. The league must be better...look how far we have to drive to get a game in.

It's a joke. The Region could easily absorb 1-2 more teams without issue. The only ones who suffer would be the oil companies.