ODP - getting killed

[Unregistered]

As a parent of a new player hoping to tryout for the team in August, could you elaborate on the U12/U13 teams? How many players attended winter training and how many made the spring team? I've heard that in the past some players skipped the winter training and then attended the tryout in March for the actual team. Is this what most players do? I'm interested in the winter training but if these teams are preordained perhaps I should save my money????? I've also heard that they might be asking for a full committment but what exactly does that mean and why isn't that stated on their website? There is little to no information available to new families interested in the program. Any insight you could provide would be appreciated... Thx.

maybe 20 in each age group over the winter
not preordained, they just take anyone who will pay
in the past you could do either the winter and/OR spring. Now they will require you do both

[Unregistered]

My child was in the winter pool at a younger age group. It was apparent that at the first tryout they took everybody, regardless of skill level and put them in the winter pool. We figured we'd do it for the training. Come the invitational tryout, my kid said "no way". Most of the kids that ended up on the final roster would have had trouble making a NH premier team. For us, it just wasn't worth it.

[Unregistered]

My child was in the winter pool at a younger age group. It was apparent that at the first tryout they took everybody, regardless of skill level and put them in the winter pool. We figured we'd do it for the training. Come the invitational tryout, my kid said "no way". Most of the kids that ended up on the final roster would have had trouble making a NH premier team. For us, it just wasn't worth it.

Why did he say no way, was it the players, coaching or the program?

[Unregistered]

Why did he say no way, was it the players, coaching or the program?

It was the players. My child was hoping to play with NH's elite players and was disappointed at the skill level of those in the winter program Of course the invitationals would draw better players - my child knew that. But he/she was already soured on a program that would just take anybody. When he/she found out who made the final roster, there were no regrets about not trying out.The list of talented kids who were not part of the program was depressing

My kid is excited to play for his/her premier team in the fall, in a great competitive league with equally skilled kids. He/she is also dying to play middle school ball even though it's gonna be a train wreck.

But to join an 'elite' program like ODP, my kid was expecting something way different than what was experienced.

[Unregistered]

It was the players. My child was hoping to play with NH's elite players and was disappointed at the skill level of those in the winter program Of course the invitationals would draw better players - my child knew that. But he/she was already soured on a program that would just take anybody. When he/she found out who made the final roster, there were no regrets about not trying out.The list of talented kids who were not part of the program was depressing

My kid is excited to play for his/her premier team in the fall, in a great competitive league with equally skilled kids. He/she is also dying to play middle school ball even though it's gonna be a train wreck.

But to join an 'elite' program like ODP, my kid was expecting something way different than what was experienced.

This is exactly why I think ODP will go by the way side. The competition and programs the Clubs can provide, even if they are not Pre-Academy or DAP, is more compelling than what ODP can provide. Tough road for NHSA to conquer.

[Unregistered]

It was the players. My child was hoping to play with NH's elite players and was disappointed at the skill level of those in the winter program Of course the invitationals would draw better players - my child knew that. But he/she was already soured on a program that would just take anybody. When he/she found out who made the final roster, there were no regrets about not trying out.The list of talented kids who were not part of the program was depressing

My kid is excited to play for his/her premier team in the fall, in a great competitive league with equally skilled kids. He/she is also dying to play middle school ball even though it's gonna be a train wreck.

But to join an 'elite' program like ODP, my kid was expecting something way different than what was experienced.

Thanks for the information. What you have said is exactly what I am afraid of. Heard the same thing from several other people. If they don't fix it, talented players will stay away and that is not what we are looking for. I want my player to play with the best, to learn from the best. What you are saying is my player will be better off staying with our competitive level team. My question is, how do they fix the problem if "we" aren't willing to participate? and why no information about the committment changes on their website? Is it safe to assume your player will not be going back this year??

[Unregistered]

Is it safe to assume your player will not be going back this year??

If a number of his/her premier teammates decided to try out, we may give it another try. But I don't see that happening. This was the 2nd year we took a look at it, and for the 2nd time walked away less than satisfied with what we saw. My child could have had a spot on the final roster both years. It just wasn't worth it.

In hindsight, not playing ODP was a very wise decision. The competition my child faced in an out-of-state league, State Cup & Region 1, exceeded anything that ODP could have offered. The overlap between State Cup, Region 1 and ODP would have meant my child would have been absent from some games or practices with one of the programs. So we would have spent $$ for training we could not use. And one of the coaches probably would have been less than pleased. I also want to very careful not to overload my child with too much soccer. I'm not sure how he/she or mom and dad could have handled another night or two of soccer weekly + tournaments/scrimmages without getting burned out.

How do they fix this? Beats me.

[Unregistered]

I feel they fix it by having it funded. If it's free the talented players will come. When its all said and done I feel most families are not comfortable spending $1000's of dollars for soccer, Especially when they get past u14 and were talking about "one"season. If ODP lower/eliminated the cost more people would sign up their kids.

[Unregistered]

If a number of his/her premier teammates decided to try out, we may give it another try. But I don't see that happening. This was the 2nd year we took a look at it, and for the 2nd time walked away less than satisfied with what we saw. My child could have had a spot on the final roster both years. It just wasn't worth it.

In hindsight, not playing ODP was a very wise decision. The competition my child faced in an out-of-state league, State Cup & Region 1, exceeded anything that ODP could have offered. The overlap between State Cup, Region 1 and ODP would have meant my child would have been absent from some games or practices with one of the programs. So we would have spent $$ for training we could not use. And one of the coaches probably would have been less than pleased. I also want to very careful not to overload my child with too much soccer. I'm not sure how he/she or mom and dad could have handled another night or two of soccer weekly + tournaments/scrimmages without getting burned out.

How do they fix this? Beats me.

I appreciate your insight but I have to question what u12b team played region 1, did you mean u13, or. Does your child play out of state?

[Unregistered]

I appreciate your insight but I have to question what u12b team played region 1, did you mean u13, or. Does your child play out of state?

Sorry...he/she played in the Region 1 championships.

[Unregistered]

Want the best have your kid play pre academy!

The best soccer players in the state of Maine and NH are playing pre academy this coming year! No question hands down! The way to get better is by training with equal or better kids! The PA is 10 months with 30 top rate games and 85 + practices. If your son is able that's where the top kids are! Dont be fooled by the parents saying something different!

[Unregistered]

Sorry...he/she played in the Region 1 championships.

No u12 plays region 1, no teams are in region1 u13 boys or girls, sorry

[Unregistered]

Don't be fooled by pre-academy parents

The best soccer players in the state of Maine and NH are playing pre academy this coming year! No question hands down! The way to get better is by training with equal or better kids! The PA is 10 months with 30 top rate games and 85 + practices. If your son is able that's where the top kids are! Dont be fooled by the parents saying something different!

Looks like someone got into the koolaid again. Thanks for the laugh. I get such a hoot from some of the Seacoast parents. SOME of the best soccer players are playing pre-academy. Certainly not ALL of the best players. If the best players all played pre-academy, the rosters would look much different. Many of the best players choose not to participate in pre-academy. Seacoast takes the best players that show up for tryouts to form their pre-academy teams. Please do not buy into the pre-academy propaganda.

[Unregistered]

No u12 plays region 1, no teams are in region1 u13 boys or girls, sorry

Sorry, but you are confusing the Region 1 League with the Region 1 Championships. The Region 1 Championships were held in PA this summer and included U12 and U13 boys and girls teams. The various State Cup champions as well as Region 1 league champions all participate in the Region 1 Championships.

[Unregistered]

No u12 plays region 1, no teams are in region1 u13 boys or girls, sorry

Why are you going out of your way in your attempts to discredit this poster? Genetic defect? You have misread what was being said in your zealousness and are simply wrong......SORRY!