Anyone know anything about The Football Academy ?

[Unregistered]

If they’ve managed to secure the Florham Park facility full time without having scheduling problems then this looks like a pretty impressive program going forward. That bubble is huge. Depends if he can bring the coaching staff with him and how that works but what they had set up before was a well run, good coached program so time will tell.

I have kids that have played across both and if you want me to be honest it’s based on the talent pool in the age group. Some of the ECNL teams we played were poor, mid level edp at best. But they have this status, so they get their spot every year despite tens of teams and clubs around them producing better teams at said age group. But the top level teams were something else and frighteningly good. That 06 Real team are impressive and would tare through most ECNL teams we played against. But because we want to create separation and elitism even in youth soccer they will never have a chance to prove to people otherwise. It’s a shame that all the best teams in an age group can’t play against each other. All the ECNL B and C teams popping up are not better than any the teams in the NL top flights.
I don’t understand why people come on and discredit leagues and even teams unless it is a rival club and coaches which is starting to look like a common theme on this forum. We have had great experiences both at NL and ECNL.

[Unregistered]

I have kids that have played across both and if you want me to be honest it’s based on the talent pool in the age group. Some of the ECNL teams we played were poor, mid level edp at best. But they have this status, so they get their spot every year despite tens of teams and clubs around them producing better teams at said age group. But the top level teams were something else and frighteningly good. That 06 Real team are impressive and would tare through most ECNL teams we played against. But because we want to create separation and elitism even in youth soccer they will never have a chance to prove to people otherwise. It’s a shame that all the best teams in an age group can’t play against each other. All the ECNL B and C teams popping up are not better than any the teams in the NL top flights.
I don’t understand why people come on and discredit leagues and even teams unless it is a rival club and coaches which is starting to look like a common theme on this forum. We have had great experiences both at NL and ECNL.

Wrong thread

[Unregistered]

I have kids that have played across both and if you want me to be honest it’s based on the talent pool in the age group. Some of the ECNL teams we played were poor, mid level edp at best. But they have this status, so they get their spot every year despite tens of teams and clubs around them producing better teams at said age group. But the top level teams were something else and frighteningly good. That 06 Real team are impressive and would tare through most ECNL teams we played against. But because we want to create separation and elitism even in youth soccer they will never have a chance to prove to people otherwise. It’s a shame that all the best teams in an age group can’t play against each other. All the ECNL B and C teams popping up are not better than any the teams in the NL top flights.
I don’t understand why people come on and discredit leagues and even teams unless it is a rival club and coaches which is starting to look like a common theme on this forum. We have had great experiences both at NL and ECNL.

Thanks for keeping it Real! Boys or girls?

[Unregistered]

Agreed. Well said.

I have kids that have played across both and if you want me to be honest it’s based on the talent pool in the age group. Some of the ECNL teams we played were poor, mid level edp at best. But they have this status, so they get their spot every year despite tens of teams and clubs around them producing better teams at said age group. But the top level teams were something else and frighteningly good. That 06 Real team are impressive and would tare through most ECNL teams we played against. But because we want to create separation and elitism even in youth soccer they will never have a chance to prove to people otherwise. It’s a shame that all the best teams in an age group can’t play against each other. All the ECNL B and C teams popping up are not better than any the teams in the NL top flights.
I don’t understand why people come on and discredit leagues and even teams unless it is a rival club and coaches which is starting to look like a common theme on this forum. We have had great experiences both at NL and ECNL.

[Unregistered]

I have kids that have played across both and if you want me to be honest it’s based on the talent pool in the age group. Some of the ECNL teams we played were poor, mid level edp at best. But they have this status, so they get their spot every year despite tens of teams and clubs around them producing better teams at said age group. But the top level teams were something else and frighteningly good. That 06 Real team are impressive and would tare through most ECNL teams we played against. But because we want to create separation and elitism even in youth soccer they will never have a chance to prove to people otherwise. It’s a shame that all the best teams in an age group can’t play against each other. All the ECNL B and C teams popping up are not better than any the teams in the NL top flights.
I don’t understand why people come on and discredit leagues and even teams unless it is a rival club and coaches which is starting to look like a common theme on this forum. We have had great experiences both at NL and ECNL.

A lot of ECNL A teams are not better than top flight NL teams! The record speaks for itself.

[Unregistered]

If they’ve managed to secure the Florham Park facility full time without having scheduling problems then this looks like a pretty impressive program going forward. That bubble is huge. Depends if he can bring the coaching staff with him and how that works but what they had set up before was a well run, good coached program so time will tell.

We were on the meeting last week and seems all the staff are following and for this coming summer all training is at the dome. Seems to me as a parent that they have the facility full time. As a parent we are excited for the new begging with the best indoor facility in the state. Having everything under one roof makes a parents life much easier.

[Unregistered]

We were on the meeting last week and seems all the staff are following and for this coming summer all training is at the dome. Seems to me as a parent that they have the facility full time. As a parent we are excited for the new begging with the best indoor facility in the state. Having everything under one roof makes a parents life much easier.

Thanks for the update Mark

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the update Mark

Not Mark a parent currently signed up for 08 girls, hopefully people can be a bit more positive on this site rather than negative.

[Unregistered]

I have kids that have played across both and if you want me to be honest it’s based on the talent pool in the age group. Some of the ECNL teams we played were poor, mid level edp at best. But they have this status, so they get their spot every year despite tens of teams and clubs around them producing better teams at said age group. But the top level teams were something else and frighteningly good. That 06 Real team are impressive and would tare through most ECNL teams we played against. But because we want to create separation and elitism even in youth soccer they will never have a chance to prove to people otherwise. It’s a shame that all the best teams in an age group can’t play against each other. All the ECNL B and C teams popping up are not better than any the teams in the NL top flights.
I don’t understand why people come on and discredit leagues and even teams unless it is a rival club and coaches which is starting to look like a common theme on this forum. We have had great experiences both at NL and ECNL.

I appreciate your post and balanced approach. I understand the historical experience and perspective. What I think everyone needs to do is take a wait and see approach for this upcoming season. Has anyone ever seen this much movement amongst clubs and leagues due to all the financial uncertainty, mismanagement before and during this situation?

It will be interesting to have this conversation a year from now to determine the parity.

[Unregistered]

A lot of ECNL A teams are not better than top flight NL teams! The record speaks for itself.

That’s absolutely correct, some really good quality in NL and very comparable to ECNL. There have been NL teams that tied or narrowly lost to some of the best ECNL teams in the country.

[Unregistered]

True. ECNL not a good league!

That’s absolutely correct, some really good quality in NL and very comparable to ECNL. There have been NL teams that tied or narrowly lost to some of the best ECNL teams in the country.

[Unregistered]

We were on the meeting last week and seems all the staff are following and for this coming summer all training is at the dome. Seems to me as a parent that they have the facility full time. As a parent we are excited for the new begging with the best indoor facility in the state. Having everything under one roof makes a parents life much easier.

So you’re telling me Florham Park are giving sole location use to The Football Academy and not making easy bucks off anyone that wants to rent it. I’m sure in theory they may believe that they are getting unlimited access to the facility but let’s see how long that really lasts for especially when lacrosse want to use the facility. They’ll be sharing the field in the winter with other local clubs.

[Unregistered]

That’s absolutely correct, some really good quality in NL and very comparable to ECNL. There have been NL teams that tied or narrowly lost to some of the best ECNL teams in the country.

ECNL is top heavy but does not have enough balance throughout. Hence the reason why some USYS NL teams beat ECNL teams regularly.

[Unregistered]

So you’re telling me Florham Park are giving sole location use to The Football Academy and not making easy bucks off anyone that wants to rent it. I’m sure in theory they may believe that they are getting unlimited access to the facility but let’s see how long that really lasts for especially when lacrosse want to use the facility. They’ll be sharing the field in the winter with other local clubs.

I think they are the sole soccer provider there but other sports will be using the facility. You’re still right though, the facility is leaving a lot of money on the table by giving their in-house club exclusive access.

[Unregistered]

What are their outdoor fields?