Matchfit Academy - Reviews?

[Unregistered]

The sense of entitlement of the “parents” on this forum is ridiculous. Between this topic and the STA topic it’s absolutely shocking reading some of the opinions on here. It feels like a toxic environment filled with disgruntled parents of kids who couldn’t make it, or didn’t like something. It seems like none of you have been through the process of how higher level soccer works.

1) You try out for a team. If you make it, great. If you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. You could be on a team one year and off of it the next. There are clubs and levels for everyone. Your kid might not be good enough to play at a high level. They might have been good enough a year or two ago, but they aren’t now. Happens all the time.

2) Part of the reason that we play sports is for competition. The older you get, the higher the level, the tougher it gets. You need to continually earn your spot on a team. If someone comes in who is better than you, you get knocked down the ladder. In high school the best player will play. If a freshman is better than a senior, just because someone has been there for 4 years doesn’t mean you get to start. You need to earn your spot. If you aren’t ready to fight for something, you aren’t cut out to be an athlete.

3) It seems like most of this group feels like “well we were here first, so why did my kid get bumped down?” Probably because they aren’t good enough. Someone better came in. When professional teams bring in new players, that means someone that was a starter gets relegated to the bench. It’s how they react that matters. Do they cry about it and throw a hissy fit or do they work harder to get their spot back? Kids need to learn to earn something and not have mommy and daddy pay for it.

4) All the letters on leagues (ECNL, NPL, DA) mean something only to you people who care about it. It’s a status thing. “My kid plays DA!”. Cool. If you can find a place where your kid is happy and can develop, then none of that matters. Stop worrying about what league you are in and worry about putting them in a situation where they can get better. That might not be MF, STA, CS, PDA, whatever. It might be a local town team. Doesn’t matter if they are developing.

This is definitely Jordan . Only a Brit would use the word “Relegated”

[Unregistered]

This is definitely Jordan . Only a Brit would use the word “Relegated”

Ha knew it. Is he still coaching at MFA? He he lost every team there. Whats his role now? Supervising his buddy, the generator and porto-pottie maintenance guy

[Unregistered]

ECNL-R infor from soccerwire:

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Providing immediate meaning, winners of the 2019-2020 Girls ECNL Regional Leagues will qualify for the new Open Cup Division of the Girls ECNL Playoffs in June, where they will also compete against qualifying teams from the Girls ECNL.

Beginning in 2020, the Girls ECNL Open Cup will be the 4th division of the ECNL Playoffs, and will include three age groups (U15, U16, U17). Qualifying teams will compete in a knockout style bracket for the Open Cup championship. The ECNL Playoffs will continue to include the Champions League, North American Cup, and Showcase Cup divisions.
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Right now I have a hard time justifying existence of "the showcase cup" and the $3000 expense that goes with it. And people are getting excited to have an even lower bracket? Are these the same parents that spent money going to Gothia Cup? or some tournament in ireland?

Then you do not understand why ECNL exists. My kid played in the showcase division last year that averaged 30 D1 colleges at each of her games. Upon returning home 7 of these colleges reached out. Which was great considering she only had contact with 4 of them prior to.

It is becoming pretty obvious that many on here have never experienced an ECNL Event or Playoffs. The whole purpose of the league is to get as many kids as possible into 1 location so the colleges can go shopping.

Would you rather have your kid play at an ECNL event or the NPL Finals? The answer should be obvious but maybe its not for the clueless.

The offer should come with the team a kid will be rosterrd with. If there is a chance the kid(s) can dropped down or moved up the offer should say that as well. If not MF should not be dropping kids mid-season. If the offer does say it and the parent failed to realize it could really happen MF is not at fault.

I have a bigger issue with the kids joining mid-season. They must have screwed over some team somewhere.

And Yes, a kid will show up one day that is better than your kid. Not all teams have rosters stacked with "ecnl" level players, and not all "ecnl" level players are playing in the league. Roster turnover should be expected and if your kid is a top 5 player you should be disappointed if its not happening.

[Unregistered]

Then you do not understand why ECNL exists. My kid played in the showcase division last year that averaged 30 D1 colleges at each of her games. Upon returning home 7 of these colleges reached out. Which was great considering she only had contact with 4 of them prior to.

It is becoming pretty obvious that many on here have never experienced an ECNL Event or Playoffs. The whole purpose of the league is to get as many kids as possible into 1 location so the colleges can go shopping.

Would you rather have your kid play at an ECNL event or the NPL Finals? The answer should be obvious but maybe its not for the clueless.

The offer should come with the team a kid will be rosterrd with. If there is a chance the kid(s) can dropped down or moved up the offer should say that as well. If not MF should not be dropping kids mid-season. If the offer does say it and the parent failed to realize it could really happen MF is not at fault.

I have a bigger issue with the kids joining mid-season. They must have screwed over some team somewhere.

And Yes, a kid will show up one day that is better than your kid. Not all teams have rosters stacked with "ecnl" level players, and not all "ecnl" level players are playing in the league. Roster turnover should be expected and if your kid is a top 5 player you should be disappointed if its not happening.

For most on this forum its not a question of what ECNL can offer or how substantial the league, it is about how Matchfit conducts business. Most are misled into thinking their kid is on an ECNL team when they never will be. I have seen the offers and its very misleading.

I agree with all of your other thoughts.

[Unregistered]

Back to shady business practices of Match Fit Academy - thanks for the lesson though DB, JR or some soccer mom:

Typical result after Match Fit Academy tryouts across the age groups:

25 offered ECNL (early offer for existing players). Standard offers given for outsiders.
10 offered NPL (ECNL-R).

Day 1: 7 are immediately dropped down from ECNL to NPL (ECNL-R) to balance the two teams. These players/paying parents not informed of this until first game when rosters are sent out. These 7 players practicing with ECNL WHILE UNKNOWINGLY they are about to be dealt a blow by DB and JR.

For remainder of year this is set. Yes, it says in fine print your kid can be placed up or down at any time.

The issue is the bait and switch for those 7 players OFFERED ECNL then dropped immediately.
Would those same players take an NPL (ECNL-R) offer in the first place?

Buyer beware. They cover their assess with legal fine print while bringing in players with unsuspecting parents.

DB and JR, does this happen in the “high level” of soccer you were talking about? Does this happen across the ECNL?

Ready for your next lesson...

[Unregistered]

Back to shady business practices of Match Fit Academy - thanks for the lesson though DB, JR or some soccer mom:

Typical result after Match Fit Academy tryouts across the age groups:

25 offered ECNL (early offer for existing players). Standard offers given for outsiders.
10 offered NPL (ECNL-R).

Day 1: 7 are immediately dropped down from ECNL to NPL (ECNL-R) to balance the two teams. These players/paying parents not informed of this until first game when rosters are sent out. These 7 players practicing with ECNL WHILE UNKNOWINGLY they are about to be dealt a blow by DB and JR.

For remainder of year this is set. Yes, it says in fine print your kid can be placed up or down at any time.

The issue is the bait and switch for those 7 players OFFERED ECNL then dropped immediately.
Would those same players take an NPL (ECNL-R) offer in the first place?

Buyer beware. They cover their assess with legal fine print while bringing in players with unsuspecting parents.

DB and JR, does this happen in the “high level” of soccer you were talking about? Does this happen across the ECNL?

Ready for your next lesson...

I'm not defending MF's business practices or how they communicate, but every parent/player needs to be proactive as well. Before committing, you should ask them where they see your player fitting in -- explicitly ask if they are they are considered a cusp player who might play most weekends with the ECNL-R team? If only 15 are being rostered for matches, then everyone should understand where they currently fit in.

But ultimately, if the model they present doesn't work for you, then look for another club.

[Unregistered]

Back to shady business practices of Match Fit Academy - thanks for the lesson though DB, JR or some soccer mom:

Typical result after Match Fit Academy tryouts across the age groups:

25 offered ECNL (early offer for existing players). Standard offers given for outsiders.
10 offered NPL (ECNL-R).

Day 1: 7 are immediately dropped down from ECNL to NPL (ECNL-R) to balance the two teams. These players/paying parents not informed of this until first game when rosters are sent out. These 7 players practicing with ECNL WHILE UNKNOWINGLY they are about to be dealt a blow by DB and JR.

For remainder of year this is set. Yes, it says in fine print your kid can be placed up or down at any time.

The issue is the bait and switch for those 7 players OFFERED ECNL then dropped immediately.
Would those same players take an NPL (ECNL-R) offer in the first place?

Buyer beware. They cover their assess with legal fine print while bringing in players with unsuspecting parents.

DB and JR, does this happen in the “high level” of soccer you were talking about? Does this happen across the ECNL?

Ready for your next lesson...

I guess you are referring to my post as a soccer lesson. I am glad you enjoyed it but sorry to mention I am none of the people you mentioned. It wasn't even meant to defend MF

If MF is not telling the kids exactly where they stand when offering then that is wrong. They should tell those 7 -10 kids they are gauranteed NPL but could potentially still play ECNL. They need to do the opposite of what they are doing. There should not be any fine print.

[Unregistered]

I'm not defending MF's business practices or how they communicate, but every parent/player needs to be proactive as well. Before committing, you should ask them where they see your player fitting in -- explicitly ask if they are they are considered a cusp player who might play most weekends with the ECNL-R team? If only 15 are being rostered for matches, then everyone should understand where they currently fit in.

But ultimately, if the model they present doesn't work for you, then look for another club.

Parents would rather blame other people for their laziness. they think paying shifts all responsibility to someone else. its what keeps the youth soccer industry thriving.

the more levels these clubs create, the more likely a kid finds relative success at one of them. Wise up parents. Its ALL bait and switch. as a parent you HAVE to put time in to know FOR YOURSELF where your child fits.

i have nothing to do with MF, but have no sympathy for the complaints. Do your homework. as questions.

[Unregistered]

Parents would rather blame other people for their laziness. they think paying shifts all responsibility to someone else. its what keeps the youth soccer industry thriving.

the more levels these clubs create, the more likely a kid finds relative success at one of them. Wise up parents. Its ALL bait and switch. as a parent you HAVE to put time in to know FOR YOURSELF where your child fits.

i have nothing to do with MF, but have no sympathy for the complaints. Do your homework. as questions.

Thus the reason people put their complaints in this forum so other people can do some homework and understand whats really happening

[Unregistered]

Thus the reason people put their complaints in this forum so other people can do some homework and understand whats really happening

not really. most of the comments here are from people who did none. the sort of homework i encourage is specific to your child. she is all that matters. what happened to some other kid is not indication of what will happen to you. ability, attitude goals are PERSONAL things that you as a parent need to really understand.

too many people look at success or horror stories told by others and assume they are relevant.

the simple fact is you will find people who are very happy at MF, but they are unlikely to be looking to post here because, unlike misery, they dont need company. these forums are the easy way out. its not easy and often painful to really be honest about where your child stands. the need to avoid it enables all these youth soccer entities to overcharge and largely under deliver. they cater to people who are paying for validation.

[Unregistered]

Thank you MR.

[Unregistered]

not really. most of the comments here are from people who did none. the sort of homework i encourage is specific to your child. she is all that matters. what happened to some other kid is not indication of what will happen to you. ability, attitude goals are PERSONAL things that you as a parent need to really understand.

too many people look at success or horror stories told by others and assume they are relevant.

the simple fact is you will find people who are very happy at MF, but they are unlikely to be looking to post here because, unlike misery, they dont need company. these forums are the easy way out. its not easy and often painful to really be honest about where your child stands. the need to avoid it enables all these youth soccer entities to overcharge and largely under deliver. they cater to people who are paying for validation.

Sorry Don't buy it.. Thanks Soccer Mom- but in reality most people are not happy at MFA. They just do not know where to go? Outsiders deserve to see what type of club it is, before they jump in, that is what is so great with these forums. It is no "easy" way out. People speak the truth.

[Unregistered]

Sorry Don't buy it.. Thanks Soccer Mom- but in reality most people are not happy at MFA. They just do not know where to go? Outsiders deserve to see what type of club it is, before they jump in, that is what is so great with these forums. It is no "easy" way out. People speak the truth.

so why do they have any players at all ?

[Unregistered]

so why do they have any players at all ?

because parents think it is the only way for their daughter to play soccer in college.... It's not, but that is what many of them think and are told by DB and JR. Most practices are spent on telling the girls about how they will get them into this or that school.. oh yea and I forgot the other time is spent scrimmaging.

[Unregistered]

because parents think it is the only way for their daughter to play soccer in college.... It's not, but that is what many of them think and are told by DB and JR. Most practices are spent on telling the girls about how they will get them into this or that school.. oh yea and I forgot the other time is spent scrimmaging.

basic questions to these parents would be what does play soccer in college actually meant to you? is it a goal your kid shares? at what level can she aspire to actually play? Is getting minutes important?

There are many more, but the mere fact you say its because parents think its the only route supports my points. Do your homework.

too many people say play in College - the difference between aspiring to get on the field for say Rutgers vs Stetson is night and day. need to be way more granular that that.