Buyer Beware – the current state of STA girls

[Guest]

Tryout season always brings the best out of parents. For the point of this original post, STA is not the club it used to be. It's just another play to play business now. STA has stopped developing players and now focuses on recruiting. Winning at all cost, without having good coaches to actually win. This is what Kelly as director of STA has done. If anyone here has watched STA play top, and even mid-level GA teams will know what I am talking about. Sure STA can beat the lower EDP level teams, but when a quality team comes it's not even a soccer game. It's kickball, all out defense, pack all 10 players in the back and clear the ball. Just like how Kelly runs practices. The players are actually very good skillful individual players, but are subject to poor preparation and leadership. As a result, STA is going downhill fast, players are leaving. But in this soccer business, all you need is British accent. Word to the wise, stay clear from STA.

[Guest]

Tryout season always brings the best out of parents. For the point of this original post, STA is not the club it used to be. It's just another play to play business now. STA has stopped developing players and now focuses on recruiting. Winning at all cost, without having good coaches to actually win. This is what Kelly as director of STA has done. If anyone here has watched STA play top, and even mid-level GA teams will know what I am talking about. Sure STA can beat the lower EDP level teams, but when a quality team comes it's not even a soccer game. It's kickball, all out defense, pack all 10 players in the back and clear the ball. Just like how Kelly runs practices. The players are actually very good skillful individual players, but are subject to poor preparation and leadership. As a result, STA is going downhill fast, players are leaving. But in this soccer business, all you need is British accent. Word to the wise, stay clear from STA.

In summary, I am a very bitter person

[Guest]

Tryout season always brings the best out of parents. For the point of this original post, STA is not the club it used to be. It's just another play to play business now. STA has stopped developing players and now focuses on recruiting. Winning at all cost, without having good coaches to actually win. This is what Kelly as director of STA has done. If anyone here has watched STA play top, and even mid-level GA teams will know what I am talking about. Sure STA can beat the lower EDP level teams, but when a quality team comes it's not even a soccer game. It's kickball, all out defense, pack all 10 players in the back and clear the ball. Just like how Kelly runs practices. The players are actually very good skillful individual players, but are subject to poor preparation and leadership. As a result, STA is going downhill fast, players are leaving. But in this soccer business, all you need is British accent. Word to the wise, stay clear from STA.

There are still the lingering rumors that JN will merge PSA into STA

[Guest]

There are still the lingering rumors that JN will merge PSA into STA

I havent heard this, but interesting thought. my kids are at one of those clubs and I have close friends with kids at the other club. it would make sense and also not make sense. STA has a talent problem at the younger ages and PSA has a retention problem (at least with the overlap). The PSA shore team(s) have never really recovered after merging Sportika and Wildcats. The GA badge seems to be amortizing (at least in NJ) and ECNL smells blood in the water, There isn't any overlap except with North, which seems to have leaned into E64. PSA boys teams aren't great, but mostly because they get bleed talent. They lost 2 entire 2010 teams last year. Their girls teams seem to be better, but also lose talent. FA and Matchfit steal every good player they develop. At the younger ages, they seem to consistently attract and develop talent until people realize there are other clubs with better facilities. PSA North/SDFC has a rundown dome and no real outdoor home. They seem to have better girls teams, but worse boys teams. Read above for all of the STA pros and cons. The coaching at PSA seems better, but they also bleed coaches to FA and Matchfit. It seems like every Matchfit coach came from SDFC at some point.

There is definitely a value in investing in one brand in the state, so you end up with 5 locations: Shore, Princeton, Essex, Morris (MU) and West Morris (Mount Olive). The shore team is carrying the ECRL badge, Morris the GA badge and Essex/Princeton the E64. MO is a town travel team playing in EDP . They basically would end up being a junior version of CSA or Matchfit with boys ECNL and girls ECRL, GA and E64.

And - there is always the benefit of slimming the administrative overhead, although i think all of the trainers are employed by the same company already

[Guest]

I havent heard this, but interesting thought. my kids are at one of those clubs and I have close friends with kids at the other club. it would make sense and also not make sense. STA has a talent problem at the younger ages and PSA has a retention problem (at least with the overlap). The PSA shore team(s) have never really recovered after merging Sportika and Wildcats. The GA badge seems to be amortizing (at least in NJ) and ECNL smells blood in the water, There isn't any overlap except with North, which seems to have leaned into E64. PSA boys teams aren't great, but mostly because they get bleed talent. They lost 2 entire 2010 teams last year. Their girls teams seem to be better, but also lose talent. FA and Matchfit steal every good player they develop. At the younger ages, they seem to consistently attract and develop talent until people realize there are other clubs with better facilities. PSA North/SDFC has a rundown dome and no real outdoor home. They seem to have better girls teams, but worse boys teams. Read above for all of the STA pros and cons. The coaching at PSA seems better, but they also bleed coaches to FA and Matchfit. It seems like every Matchfit coach came from SDFC at some point.

There is definitely a value in investing in one brand in the state, so you end up with 5 locations: Shore, Princeton, Essex, Morris (MU) and West Morris (Mount Olive). The shore team is carrying the ECRL badge, Morris the GA badge and Essex/Princeton the E64. MO is a town travel team playing in EDP . They basically would end up being a junior version of CSA or Matchfit with boys ECNL and girls ECRL, GA and E64.

And - there is always the benefit of slimming the administrative overhead, although i think all of the trainers are employed by the same company already

the answer will be whatever generates the most $$$$$

[Guest]

I havent heard this, but interesting thought. my kids are at one of those clubs and I have close friends with kids at the other club. it would make sense and also not make sense. STA has a talent problem at the younger ages and PSA has a retention problem (at least with the overlap). The PSA shore team(s) have never really recovered after merging Sportika and Wildcats. The GA badge seems to be amortizing (at least in NJ) and ECNL smells blood in the water, There isn't any overlap except with North, which seems to have leaned into E64. PSA boys teams aren't great, but mostly because they get bleed talent. They lost 2 entire 2010 teams last year. Their girls teams seem to be better, but also lose talent. FA and Matchfit steal every good player they develop. At the younger ages, they seem to consistently attract and develop talent until people realize there are other clubs with better facilities. PSA North/SDFC has a rundown dome and no real outdoor home. They seem to have better girls teams, but worse boys teams. Read above for all of the STA pros and cons. The coaching at PSA seems better, but they also bleed coaches to FA and Matchfit. It seems like every Matchfit coach came from SDFC at some point.

There is definitely a value in investing in one brand in the state, so you end up with 5 locations: Shore, Princeton, Essex, Morris (MU) and West Morris (Mount Olive). The shore team is carrying the ECRL badge, Morris the GA badge and Essex/Princeton the E64. MO is a town travel team playing in EDP . They basically would end up being a junior version of CSA or Matchfit with boys ECNL and girls ECRL, GA and E64.

And - there is always the benefit of slimming the administrative overhead, although i think all of the trainers are employed by the same company already

This sounds like a losing proposition for families. Keep consolidating clubs and leagues and soccer won't be accessible soon enough. There are already tons of kids paying 3k for U11 C teams. At some point you need enough parents to wake the f up.. but there is always another sucker with money to burn lined up behind you. Seems to be the case across other sports too.

[Guest]

Tryout season always brings the best out of parents. For the point of this original post, STA is not the club it used to be. It's just another play to play business now. STA has stopped developing players and now focuses on recruiting. Winning at all cost, without having good coaches to actually win. This is what Kelly as director of STA has done. If anyone here has watched STA play top, and even mid-level GA teams will know what I am talking about. Sure STA can beat the lower EDP level teams, but when a quality team comes it's not even a soccer game. It's kickball, all out defense, pack all 10 players in the back and clear the ball. Just like how Kelly runs practices. The players are actually very good skillful individual players, but are subject to poor preparation and leadership. As a result, STA is going downhill fast, players are leaving. But in this soccer business, all you need is British accent. Word to the wise, stay clear from STA.

Well said indeed. This is what the forum and this post is suppose to be about. Brining the truth to help parents make informed decisions. Un-qualified coaches at a losing club.

[Guest]

Well said indeed. This is what the forum and this post is suppose to be about. Brining the truth to help parents make informed decisions. Un-qualified coaches at a losing club.

Coaches getting paid bonuses for filling roster spots, this is why you will see teams with too many players on the roster. Coach doesn’t care he/she gets the bonus.

[Guest]

Coaches getting paid bonuses for filling roster spots, this is why you will see teams with too many players on the roster. Coach doesn’t care he/she gets the bonus.

And there is that.

[Guest]

This sounds like a losing proposition for families. Keep consolidating clubs and leagues and soccer won't be accessible soon enough. There are already tons of kids paying 3k for U11 C teams. At some point you need enough parents to wake the f up.. but there is always another sucker with money to burn lined up behind you. Seems to be the case across other sports too.

This is very true.

[Guest]

Well said indeed. This is what the forum and this post is suppose to be about. Brining the truth to help parents make informed decisions. Un-qualified coaches at a losing club.

hope you have a better tactic to bring players over to whatever club you work for than typing away on TS all day …otherwise you could be out of a job soon.

[Guest]

I find it a little interesting that this STA bashing campaign started the same day STA announced they are building a shiny new home base with their own fields and indoor facilities..

[Guest]

I find it a little interesting that this STA bashing campaign started the same day STA announced they are building a shiny new home base with their own fields and indoor facilities..

The only thing that should matter to parents are getting their money's worth. Is it better to have new fields, or the development of your son.

[Guest]

hope you have a better tactic to bring players over to whatever club you work for than typing away on TS all day …otherwise you could be out of a job soon.

No tactics are needed, STA is doing all the damage to itself. With play to play, even Kelly will keep her job.

[Guest]

The only thing that should matter to parents are getting their money's worth. Is it better to have new fields, or the development of your son.

What's better? Having both. Good training facilities will always complement a program. As far as development, I have no complaints, nor do most of STA families I know. It's just the vocal few causing all the ruckus on here. Of course STA has changed a lot over years. When we started it was a tiny operation. Lots of growing pains since then. But my perspective is they have always tried to adapt and provide the most value possible.