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**Guest** · 08-29-2024, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

Can my player do both Town and club?
What age do you make the move?
What age do you start to specialize one sport?
Why are you spending so much time and money at a club? etc....

These questions are so common across many sports.
My opinion across them all, "It Depends"
Does the family understand the demands/cost of the club scene
Does the player find joy in the game and not really interested in other sports

Many families find themselves following a coach to the next club
Traveling an hour for training at any age can be exhausting
Families must see Value in the training environment

Town or Club - It Depends
Town programs are playing in the NECSL and club programs are evolving with only their lower teams playing NECSL and the rest moving up the league Pyramid
NECSL - EDP - RAL - NAL - ECNL - GA - MLSnext
I missed some, but don't worry 2 new one's will form next fall

I think town and club is very possible and can be very great for development if all-in on soccer, provided it is a solid town program like WFF, Portsmouth, OSNK, South County, Pawtucket, Barrington, among others. Many of the better town teams in Superliga have a mix of club players, multi-sport athletes, and all-in town players. It is a great mix and helps the players develop connections with the kids they will play with in HS. Personally, I think that this jump to NECSL isn't necessary until after U14. If all of those teams stayed in Superliga Anchor divisions the competition would be better then the 3rd tier "club" teams they are playing in NECSL. But by moving to NECSL they can beat the "better" competition, which for some of these NECSL divisions if classic blue level. But they pay a lot more for the refs so it must be better. LOL This landscape is what it is because people will move clubs every year until their kid is a relative star of the show.

**Guest** · 09-01-2024, 01:17 PM

Who brought the fruit platter to the party?

**Guest** · 09-02-2024, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

I think town and club is very possible and can be very great for development if all-in on soccer, provided it is a solid town program like WFF, Portsmouth, OSNK, South County, Pawtucket, Barrington, among others. Many of the better town teams in Superliga have a mix of club players, multi-sport athletes, and all-in town players. It is a great mix and helps the players develop connections with the kids they will play with in HS. Personally, I think that this jump to NECSL isn't necessary until after U14. If all of those teams stayed in Superliga Anchor divisions the competition would be better then the 3rd tier "club" teams they are playing in NECSL. But by moving to NECSL they can beat the "better" competition, which for some of these NECSL divisions if classic blue level. But they pay a lot more for the refs so it must be better. LOL This landscape is what it is because people will move clubs every year until their kid is a relative star of the show.

Honest question: what is the benefit of jumping to NECSL club soccer after U14? By HS the top players are mostly well-sorted and not playing in NECSL. Is it that much more fun than playing spring Superliga?

**Guest** · 09-02-2024, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Guest View Post

Honest question: what is the benefit of jumping to NECSL club soccer after U14? By HS the top players are mostly well-sorted and not playing in NECSL. Is it that much more fun than playing spring Superliga?

No but unfortunately the Superliga at U16 and U19 does not have enough commitment. It would be great if it did.