RI Soccer

[Unregistered]

Soccer in this State will never excel, too many "premier teams" that fill the rosters with non premier players. There are a few good players on every team that carry the rest. There are no outstanding coaches, a few are definitely better than others, but non that stand out. There are far too many parents that believe their kid is the best, yet the rest cringe when the kid comes in. Soccer is speed, finesse, and endurance.

[Unregistered]

Soccer in this State will never excel, too many "premier teams" that fill the rosters with non premier players. There are a few good players on every team that carry the rest. There are no outstanding coaches, a few are definitely better than others, but non that stand out. There are far too many parents that believe their kid is the best, yet the rest cringe when the kid comes in. Soccer is speed, finesse, and endurance.

However, RI high school soccer has one team in the top 25 and another mentioned as having received votes. So maybe little rhody is doing something right.

http://www.nscaa.com/rankings/1635/F.../RegionI/Poll7

[Unregistered]

However, RI high school soccer has one team in the top 25 and another mentioned as having received votes. So maybe little rhody is doing something right.

http://www.nscaa.com/rankings/1635/F.../RegionI/Poll7

top 15, not top 25. And how do yo uknow its Exeter-West Greenwich RI. It could be a town by that name in MA, ME, VT, NH or CT

[Unregistered]

they forgot lasalle and Cumberland!

[Unregistered]

You fail to understand the purpose of a premier team. It's not necessarily intended to produce the national champion as much as its intended to promote and improve the game of soccer to those that seek advancement. The fact that no RI team has made it to the summit of Region 1 or won the nationals is irrelevant. What it provides is a choice of improved or elevated coaching within a commutable distance at a compromising cost. While I don't choose to partake in the premier venue and would rather volunteer my time to produce the best town team available, I don't fault and have a problem with the choices and quality of premier teams available in RI. Supply and demand will ultimately decide the product, but in nearly all cases the player and parents have been provided an alterative choice. I think the number of premier teams in RI is appropriate.

[Unregistered]

You fail to understand the purpose of a premier team. It's not necessarily intended to produce the national champion as much as its intended to promote and improve the game of soccer to those that seek advancement. The fact that no RI team has made it to the summit of Region 1 or won the nationals is irrelevant. What it provides is a choice of improved or elevated coaching within a commutable distance at a compromising cost. While I don't choose to partake in the premier venue and would rather volunteer my time to produce the best town team available, I don't fault and have a problem with the choices and quality of premier teams available in RI. Supply and demand will ultimately decide the product, but in nearly all cases the player and parents have been provided an alterative choice. I think the number of premier teams in RI is appropriate.

Hear, Hear

[Unregistered]

You fail to understand the purpose of a premier team. It's not necessarily intended to produce the national champion as much as its intended to promote and improve the game of soccer to those that seek advancement. The fact that no RI team has made it to the summit of Region 1 or won the nationals is irrelevant. What it provides is a choice of improved or elevated coaching within a commutable distance at a compromising cost. While I don't choose to partake in the premier venue and would rather volunteer my time to produce the best town team available, I don't fault and have a problem with the choices and quality of premier teams available in RI. Supply and demand will ultimately decide the product, but in nearly all cases the player and parents have been provided an alterative choice. I think the number of premier teams in RI is appropriate.

The MPS thanksgiving tournament is right around the corner, and I suspect youll see some RI teams compete well there.

[Unregistered]

You fail to understand the purpose of a premier team. It's not necessarily intended to produce the national champion as much as its intended to promote and improve the game of soccer to those that seek advancement. The fact that no RI team has made it to the summit of Region 1 or won the nationals is irrelevant. What it provides is a choice of improved or elevated coaching within a commutable distance at a compromising cost. While I don't choose to partake in the premier venue and would rather volunteer my time to produce the best town team available, I don't fault and have a problem with the choices and quality of premier teams available in RI. Supply and demand will ultimately decide the product, but in nearly all cases the player and parents have been provided an alterative choice. I think the number of premier teams in RI is appropriate.

OP is another soccer purist who is sure they know better than everyone else what is best for all. These types of threads show up periodically on every board to get a rise out people whose egos are too fragile to recognize a troll when they see one The poster above is spot on. Supply and demand will dictate the number of teams in RI and elsewhere. Why does OP care? Because they have an axe to grind about something. Even if there was only one club in RI, it would not be a good fit for all players. Many would migrate to MA clubs, as they do now. The argument that all elite players in RI should play for the same club is false on its face.

[Unregistered]

You fail to understand the purpose of a premier team. It's not necessarily intended to produce the national champion as much as its intended to promote and improve the game of soccer to those that seek advancement. The fact that no RI team has made it to the summit of Region 1 or won the nationals is irrelevant. What it provides is a choice of improved or elevated coaching within a commutable distance at a compromising cost. While I don't choose to partake in the premier venue and would rather volunteer my time to produce the best town team available, I don't fault and have a problem with the choices and quality of premier teams available in RI. Supply and demand will ultimately decide the product, but in nearly all cases the player and parents have been provided an alterative choice. I think the number of premier teams in RI is appropriate.

Your argument would be more valid if the "market" was more deregulated; as it is, SRI imposes market restrictions on town programs and limits non-premier league competition so it is far from a free market. The roster restrictions and league "monopoly" both contribute to more participation in "premier" clubs than would probably exist if town clubs could operate in the same manner as premiers and if clubs/individuals could form "leagues' that give an alternative to superliga.

Remember, supply and demand only works right in competitive markets..

[Unregistered]

Your argument would be more valid if the "market" was more deregulated; as it is, SRI imposes market restrictions on town programs and limits non-premier league competition so it is far from a free market. The roster restrictions and league "monopoly" both contribute to more participation in "premier" clubs than would probably exist if town clubs could operate in the same manner as premiers and if clubs/individuals could form "leagues' that give an alternative to superliga.

Remember, supply and demand only works right in competitive markets..

Your facts are correct, for the most part, but your conclusion is wrong.

Many families and players leave town soccer for the very reasons you cite. In the end all those rules do is detract from the competitive caliber on Town soccer and limit completion, although I don't think that was their intent.

Premier is considerably more time and money, money that most families in this state don't have to waste. They must see additional value in Premier soccer beyond playing in NEP or Maple, etc. Quite simply they are getting training and development. Every kid I have ever seen play premier, no matter how questionable their ability may have been when they started, improve by leaps and bounds with better quality training. Certainly all clubs and for that matter club coaches are created equal. Find one you like, where you can see your kid improving and having fun and don't look back This argument about too many Premier clubs in fostered by individuals who are looking to expand their control over your money and your kids's soccer. They have NO interest in what is best for the kids or Soccer in RI, NONE!

[Unregistered]

that's an interesting point; anecdotally in our town club we have seen where a few families have jumped because they want their child in a more competitive league (ie MAPLE or NEP). They think the training is adequate, but the matches lack consistency in terms of challenge.

Undoubtedly, there are the thoughts with premier that (1) because you are paying 3 to 10 times more, you are getting a better coach and (2) because families are making a greater investment, your child is surrounded by more "serious" players. And in general, that reasoning is probably accurate; however, getting "5-10" times the value is highly variable and having the last few kids on the team because the club needs to fill the roster versus actually having the skills to play at that level exists as well.

To turn your point, there are also probably too many *town* programs at the competitive level and for the same reason -- adults more interested in their little fiefdoms than what is best for the kids. I just think SRI should act like every other state I have lived in or have friends involved in youth soccer programs that don't make forming clubs or leagues so difficult.

The real problem with the current set-up is there is no "middle" alternative (maybe Luisitana is the closest or something like what South County seems to be doing with its GPS partnership) between restricted town teams or premier. Maybe if the community rule was lifted and intra-state leagues were easy to form, you might get some innovation that you see in other states.

[Unregistered]

that's an interesting point; anecdotally in our town club we have seen where a few families have jumped because they want their child in a more competitive league (ie MAPLE or NEP). They think the training is adequate, but the matches lack consistency in terms of challenge.

Undoubtedly, there are the thoughts with premier that (1) because you are paying 3 to 10 times more, you are getting a better coach and (2) because families are making a greater investment, your child is surrounded by more "serious" players. And in general, that reasoning is probably accurate; however, getting "5-10" times the value is highly variable and having the last few kids on the team because the club needs to fill the roster versus actually having the skills to play at that level exists as well.

To turn your point, there are also probably too many *town* programs at the competitive level and for the same reason -- adults more interested in their little fiefdoms than what is best for the kids. I just think SRI should act like every other state I have lived in or have friends involved in youth soccer programs that don't make forming clubs or leagues so difficult.

The real problem with the current set-up is there is no "middle" alternative (maybe Luisitana is the closest or something like what South County seems to be doing with its GPS partnership) between restricted town teams or premier. Maybe if the community rule was lifted and intra-state leagues were easy to form, you might get some innovation that you see in other states.

If I remember correctly there are 4 levels of competitve town soccer so I am sure that kost clubs can find their level. Although, lots of kids/parents get caught up int the "A" vs "B", etc. teams. So some of this is a self inflicted wound for some town programs.

But also, if you have done your homework, you should be able to find a ituation that suits If I remember correctly there are 4 levels of competitive town soccer so I am sure that most town club teams can find their level. Although, lots of kids/parents get caught up in the "A" vs "B", etc. teams. So some of this is a self inflicted wound for some town programs.

But also, if you have done your homework, you should be able to find a situation that suits your kids interest, ambitions and your budget. The SuperLiga thing is a pile of dung anyway. The three town rule wont go away just like the 39 city and town Police, fire and School districts thing won't go away. Too many tiny kingdoms with tin horn despots desperate to protect their fiefdoms at all costs killing any thought of opening up their organizations to advance soccer. As their tiny clubs competitive teams become less and less competitive, they cling to the idea that limiting competition helps soccer in RI. Does anyone remember what the state cup was like 5 years ago? Town teams, especially on the girls side, were actually competitive and often won. Not any more, that genie is out of the bottle and it is never ever going back in. Most town soccer programs don't enter a single team in any age group, and never will. For the most part, the best kids, the ones that wanted to play with other kids who were like minded, who wanted to make soccer their number one sport left and went to play Premier. Is it because they were desperate to spend money they didn't have to? Was it because they thought town soccer, as structured with SuperLiga at the hub, was a great place to learn and play soccer? I will leave it to you to answer the question, Why?

[dave1731]

To the polls for a minute, speaking for CT soccer. Whoever puts the CT teams in the ring has not clue 1 as to who is best. They take a quick look-see at records and reputation and fail to watch any games and see where the talent is resident. Two CT teams mentioned (Glastonbury and Newtown), although good will NOT win a state championship. A team down in Fairfield County will wear the the large school championship crown.