Sri

[Unregistered]

Good point..don't forget the twisting from superliga about the premier rule or incredible lack of roster flexibility.. and the vocal town coaches who would cry about towns that did allow a few premier kids to play..

I heard the same crap that premier kids don't show up or are taking a spot from a town player..will it's never 100% one way or the other, but most premier kids (not all, but most) are doing both because it adds to their fun and they're committed to soccer..sure, maybe they can't make all training, but as a town coach, I loved when (the right) premier kids wanted to do both. They usually up the attitude in training, allowed us to be more competitive, and didn't mind that they were playing where and how the coach needed them and often that was a nice break (different position, less pressure, more freedom to try things on the field) from their premier club situation.

Plus, for the most part, these were kids that were going to or were playing in MS/HS together and for 95% of them, HS soccer was going to be their pinnacle..

It's not only the kids, but look at Ocean State..used to have something like 40 competitive teams and a handful doing okay in MAPLE and not embarrassing themselves in state cup or out of state tournaments against "premier" teams as well as a robust Academy program..now the affiliation with Bruno is more out of desperation than for the players..North Kingstown soccer even worse..pathetic you can't even get two associations in serious decline to put their egos aside for the kids..

For SRI - add to the list -- the incredibly slow adaption and support for coaching development..again, another "money" maker for those in the "club'..we have a B license coach and SRI wouldn't allow him to do internal Y1/y2/E license (heaven forbid our coaches would have to pay more $ and drive 35 minutes after work 6 times over 3 to 5 weeks because only the SRI "expert' could impart some basic coaching lessons..)

There is a lack of information and resentment by many because the correct information is not public.
A "B" level USSF coach can't teach a Y1 or Y2 license.he or she can do a E license but not a youth module. You must have a national youth license or equivalent.

USSF has gotten really strict on their commitment to teaching coaches what is age appropriate .They KEY words is age appropriate . Coaching a 6 year old is very different than coaching a high school or college age player.

[Unregistered]

Good point..don't forget the twisting from superliga about the premier rule or incredible lack of roster flexibility.. and the vocal town coaches who would cry about towns that did allow a few premier kids to play..

I heard the same crap that premier kids don't show up or are taking a spot from a town player..will it's never 100% one way or the other, but most premier kids (not all, but most) are doing both because it adds to their fun and they're committed to soccer..sure, maybe they can't make all training, but as a town coach, I loved when (the right) premier kids wanted to do both. They usually up the attitude in training, allowed us to be more competitive, and didn't mind that they were playing where and how the coach needed them and often that was a nice break (different position, less pressure, more freedom to try things on the field) from their premier club situation.

Plus, for the most part, these were kids that were going to or were playing in MS/HS together and for 95% of them, HS soccer was going to be their pinnacle..

It's not only the kids, but look at Ocean State..used to have something like 40 competitive teams and a handful doing okay in MAPLE and not embarrassing themselves in state cup or out of state tournaments against "premier" teams as well as a robust Academy program..now the affiliation with Bruno is more out of desperation than for the players..North Kingstown soccer even worse..pathetic you can't even get two associations in serious decline to put their egos aside for the kids..

For SRI - add to the list -- the incredibly slow adaption and support for coaching development..again, another "money" maker for those in the "club'..we have a B license coach and SRI wouldn't allow him to do internal Y1/y2/E license (heaven forbid our coaches would have to pay more $ and drive 35 minutes after work 6 times over 3 to 5 weeks because only the SRI "expert' could impart some basic coaching lessons..)

Just a few comments.... SRI/Superliga have been very slow to adapt to anything. There is no real leadership from either organization. When something happens it is because "the clubs wanted it".... and competitive coordinators that attended Superliga meetings were often unaware of changes that were approved during a SRI meeting by club presidents. There is no real plan or blueprint in place. Decisions are made on a whim by those who happened to be in attendance (and yes, I attend both meetings for a few years). The community rule has been abolished and the club pass allows players more freedom to move within the club. Someone said SRI was "lost". I would argue that they have pulled off the road and are asleep.

One of the problems facing youth soccer is a changing demographic. Lacrosse has made significant inroads and drawing the kids that once played soccer. Look no further than Wilson Park in NK where the lacrosse fields are thriving with activity and the soccer fields are largely dormant. Since the poster mentioned OSS, OSS doesn't allow premier players (you can't play for a premier club and OSS)... so I am sure there is a drain from families heading to premier... players also slosh over to NKSA hoping for a different (presumably better) experience... South has also been aggressive with their offerings (GPS, etc...) and is seems likely that NK/OSS players are heading there. I am not sure if the Bruno agreement is one of desperation but one that is designed to give the appearance that the club is being proactive and offering players a chance to play premier without necessarily leaving the club.

With regard to the OSS-NK divide... The problem is that you still have enough people around that harken back to NKSA's "glory days" when OSS was in its infancy. OSS has become the evil empire in their eyes and there is no chance in hell they would ever allow their kids to play there. It is foolish and petty... and what it does is divide a dwindling player pool making it harder to put together single-aged teams (most pronounced of the girls side).

There has been numerous posts on this site (in different threads) regarding what many see as the shortcomings of SRI (and Superliga). The question I raise to the group is how do you fix it? I am sure we all have ideas...

For one, I would abolish travel soccer for U7 - U10. If the emphasis is on player development then it would be nice to see SRI get involved and put together a plan or set of guidelines focused on youth and coach development. Instead of participating in weekly Super Liga games, there could be a couple a soccer festivals during the spring where kids can play multiple games. I just don't see the value of traveling across the state for a 40 minute U8 game where the kid will get 20 minutes of field time. It takes longer to get to the game than the player would spend on the field.

Another idea would be to do away with the "town-based" club and develop regional centers. Westerly and Chariho promoted joint tryouts this spring... so there are two clubs that appear to be embracing this idea. For example one couple put together OSS, NK, and Jamestown (makes sense because the kids will end up in the same high school). It is easy to have a centralized registration and simply pick the town (or field location really)... especially for rec where parents can pick the location that is closest to them.

[Unregistered]

Excellent suggestions.

I found it ironic a few years ago when SRI invited Sam Snow from the national organization to speak and RI was doing at the younger ages many things counter to the points he made in his talk.

The Academy / festival idea is one used elsewhere with much success. Let clubs just bring properly registered players and divvy them up based on the flow of the games.

The other suggestion sounds a lot like the program down south when my kids were little. One big organization where you picked the field for rec but the competitive program was centralized based on objective tryouts (didn't have stupid things like community rule) with paid coaches. The economy of scale enable the club to offer separate skill training.

that's too bad about NK/OSS - based on your post, I looked at the NK tournament and there is only 1 NKSA team participating in U12 and above between both genders (a u12 girls rhody team)..wow.. that's symbolic of the problem with youth soccer in this state..money and egos trump doing what's best for the kids..

[Unregistered]

Excellent suggestions.

I found it ironic a few years ago when SRI invited Sam Snow from the national organization to speak and RI was doing at the younger ages many things counter to the points he made in his talk.

The Academy / festival idea is one used elsewhere with much success. Let clubs just bring properly registered players and divvy them up based on the flow of the games.

The other suggestion sounds a lot like the program down south when my kids were little. One big organization where you picked the field for rec but the competitive program was centralized based on objective tryouts (didn't have stupid things like community rule) with paid coaches. The economy of scale enable the club to offer separate skill training.

that's too bad about NK/OSS - based on your post, I looked at the NK tournament and there is only 1 NKSA team participating in U12 and above between both genders (a u12 girls rhody team)..wow.. that's symbolic of the problem with youth soccer in this state..money and egos trump doing what's best for the kids..

Smithfield Youth Soccer has been pushing for festival style events for U10 and under for last 2 years. The associations around them don't want to hear it. So the wheel keeps going round and round. Smithfield will probably be doing academy/festival style training and events on their own. It's too bad

[Unregistered]

Smithfield Youth Soccer has been pushing for festival style events for U10 and under for last 2 years. The associations around them don't want to hear it. So the wheel keeps going round and round. Smithfield will probably be doing academy/festival style training and events on their own. It's too bad

Good for Smithfield for thinking ahead and trying something different! However, as you mentioned neighboring clubs are not interested in something like this... which is a shame. Unless you get buy in from SRI (some sort of mandate to all clubs indicating this is the way to proceed, that would require effort and thinking on their part - unlikely to happen) or you approach (beg/plead) all other clubs in RI to find one or two willing to experiment and do something different (like you said most other association don't want to hear of it) then, unfortunately, you will be left alone. Ocean State has their youth academy and had opted out of Super Liga for a couple of years... but this season have started entering U8 teams into Super Liga. The reason... "the parents wanted it". I am curious how Smithfield spun this idea to their members to get them to buy into this approach. Unfortunately most parents don't understand that at younger ages more games does not equal better soccer players. They just want to see their kid "play a little soccer".

I am curious how other states operate. We can't be the only ones 20 years behind the curve.

Most of the NKSA membership is U10 and below. NK fielded a U12 girls, U16 girls, and U19 boys. From what I understand they were unable to complete a U16 girls bracket for the tournament (2nd year in a row).

[Unregistered]

Good for Smithfield for thinking ahead and trying something different! However, as you mentioned neighboring clubs are not interested in something like this... which is a shame. Unless you get buy in from SRI (some sort of mandate to all clubs indicating this is the way to proceed, that would require effort and thinking on their part - unlikely to happen) or you approach (beg/plead) all other clubs in RI to find one or two willing to experiment and do something different (like you said most other association don't want to hear of it) then, unfortunately, you will be left alone. Ocean State has their youth academy and had opted out of Super Liga for a couple of years... but this season have started entering U8 teams into Super Liga. The reason... "the parents wanted it". I am curious how Smithfield spun this idea to their members to get them to buy into this approach. Unfortunately most parents don't understand that at younger ages more games does not equal better soccer players. They just want to see their kid "play a little soccer".

I am curious how other states operate. We can't be the only ones 20 years behind the curve.

Most of the NKSA membership is U10 and below. NK fielded a U12 girls, U16 girls, and U19 boys. From what I understand they were unable to complete a U16 girls bracket for the tournament (2nd year in a row).

With Smithfield aligned with Bayside, no one's going to attend their festivals.

That's just stupid, just might as well turn all of your players over.

[Unregistered]

With Smithfield aligned with Bayside, no one's going to attend their festivals.

That's just stupid, just might as well turn all of your players over.

Really, as if Bayside coaches are swarming those events to identify that budding 7 year old phenom??

Apparently all those young teams at NKSA don't translate when you have to move to 8 v 8 and 11 v 11 if all you have is a rhody girls and a bottom of the league u16 team..can't be all those kids are going to premier??

That's not leadership if you respond to "parents want it". If you've been on a good premier club, you know how far that flies (well, unless your kid is the star or the parent is the infamous "team manager").

I was shocked when u8 superliga meant driving sometimes 30-40 mins to play this strange 4 v 4 for less playing time than the drive (not that I'm against small sided games at all, but the way it was structured was the fastest, strongest kids just kicking it the length of the field or dribbling (which is fine) and scoring (again, fine) and then being told don't do that too much.

Apparently, 20 other states do see if differently..

----------------------------------------------------
The Youth Soccer Insider asked Sam Snow, Technical Director of US Youth Soccer, to explain the benefits of a U-10 "academy" format that differs from the traditional league and team setup.

Numerous clubs across more than 20 state associations have been implementing a youth academy format for the U-10 age group. This format is in the best interest of both the short-term and long-term development of the children.

In most instances, the youth academy format does not have set teams. Instead, the players all register with the club, but not a specific team. They do register for the U-10 age group and then train in player pools. The pools could be as many as A, B and C depending on the size of the U-10 age group in the club. The pools can have training sessions mixed together and as separate pools.

The games are Pool A vs. Pool A and so on. The matches can be intraclub and interclub. Intraclub matches could also be A vs. B and B vs. C.

and

COST CONTAINMENT. In quite a few places a youth academy is conducted in a club with enough U-10 players to do so. That’s the intraclub set up. In some states two or more clubs in the same area play jointly for an interclub set up.

This keeps the travel distances and the cost of time and money to reasonable levels. Several state associations run the youth academy in conjunction with member clubs. In this instance those clubs in the youth academy can meet once or twice a year in a central location.

On those occasions, clubs set geographically farther apart may now play one another. The matches in the expanded format allow for deeper player evaluations. Those evaluations could be of individual players, teams within a pool or even an entire pool.

[Unregistered]

With Smithfield aligned with Bayside, no one's going to attend their festivals.

That's just stupid, just might as well turn all of your players over.

Here lies the problem. People like you worrying about bayside or Bruno coming to still your players. If your players have been identified as a potential premier players or maybe possibly moving on to play academy that would be great honor for you and the club. Sad that most of the town clubs feel the same way you do that is why Rhode Island will never provide a nurturing environment for player development. Kudos to Smithfield for seeing the big picture.

[Unregistered]

Here lies the problem. People like you worrying about bayside or Bruno coming to still your players. If your players have been identified as a potential premier players or maybe possibly moving on to play academy that would be great honor for you and the club. Sad that most of the town clubs feel the same way you do that is why Rhode Island will never provide a nurturing environment for player development. Kudos to Smithfield for seeing the big picture.

Here is an odd question? What does it mean that Smithfield is "aligned" with Bayside? What does Smithfield gain from the relationship? What other town clubs are aligned/affiliated/partnered with premier clubs and how do the town clubs benefit?

[Unregistered]

Here is an odd question? What does it mean that Smithfield is "aligned" with Bayside? What does Smithfield gain from the relationship? What other town clubs are aligned/affiliated/partnered with premier clubs and how do the town clubs benefit?

Smithfield is "aligned" with the RI Strikers (premier club started by Smithfield President). The RI Strikers in turn are affiliated with BSFC and play in the NEP and are called Bayside FC RI Strikers. Smithfield has Rec, Town travel (Superliga), BSFC RI Strikers (NEP) and their Top Elite players have direct access to NPL and Academy through BSFC. Teams get college coach training sessions through BSFC and coaches are invited to attend coaching symposiums and seminars. Besides maybe a South County, I don't know of another Association in RI that has rec - NPL/Academy access for its members without having to leave home. Sure some of the very best, Elite players move on to NPL, but the number is small and they would leave anyhow, so why not steer them to a Club like BSFC that is willing to affiliate? Add to that that Smithfield now has MN from URI as DOC and Strikers have TM from RWU on their coaching staffs and you realize that they are moving in the right direction. Associations close to them have been reached out to and asked to participate and I wouldn't be surprised if you start to see some of that moving forward. Assuming they can push their egos aside like Smithfield has and concentrate on player development.

[Unregistered]

Smithfield is "aligned" with the RI Strikers (premier club started by Smithfield President). The RI Strikers in turn are affiliated with BSFC and play in the NEP and are called Bayside FC RI Strikers. Smithfield has Rec, Town travel (Superliga), BSFC RI Strikers (NEP) and their Top Elite players have direct access to NPL and Academy through BSFC. Teams get college coach training sessions through BSFC and coaches are invited to attend coaching symposiums and seminars. Besides maybe a South County, I don't know of another Association in RI that has rec - NPL/Academy access for its members without having to leave home. Sure some of the very best, Elite players move on to NPL, but the number is small and they would leave anyhow, so why not steer them to a Club like BSFC that is willing to affiliate? Add to that that Smithfield now has MN from URI as DOC and Strikers have TM from RWU on their coaching staffs and you realize that they are moving in the right direction. Associations close to them have been reached out to and asked to participate and I wouldn't be surprised if you start to see some of that moving forward. Assuming they can push their egos aside like Smithfield has and concentrate on player development.

Must not be working out very well. Their Superliga teams are awful

[Unregistered]

Smithfield is "aligned" with the RI Strikers (premier club started by Smithfield President). The RI Strikers in turn are affiliated with BSFC and play in the NEP and are called Bayside FC RI Strikers. Smithfield has Rec, Town travel (Superliga), BSFC RI Strikers (NEP) and their Top Elite players have direct access to NPL and Academy through BSFC. Teams get college coach training sessions through BSFC and coaches are invited to attend coaching symposiums and seminars. Besides maybe a South County, I don't know of another Association in RI that has rec - NPL/Academy access for its members without having to leave home. Sure some of the very best, Elite players move on to NPL, but the number is small and they would leave anyhow, so why not steer them to a Club like BSFC that is willing to affiliate? Add to that that Smithfield now has MN from URI as DOC and Strikers have TM from RWU on their coaching staffs and you realize that they are moving in the right direction. Associations close to them have been reached out to and asked to participate and I wouldn't be surprised if you start to see some of that moving forward. Assuming they can push their egos aside like Smithfield has and concentrate on player development.

if Smithfield was Game of Thrones

1. SV president of Soccer RI lives in Smithfield- Targaryn that can't control his own dragons at SRI.

2. BH wants his kid to go to URI- Umm. MN gets hired as DOC-Baelish who thinks he smarter than everyone else. Wants to be accepted in the Rhode Island Soccer inner circles so bad !!
3.TM lives in Smithfield-Tyrion Lannister - Nice guy who will figure out it a place for crazy people and leave.Not as short as Tyrion.
4. Bayside FC scared of RI Strikers girls team so formed an alliance for the sake of not loosing revenue -Jaime Lannister- forming an alliance with house Tyrell to save the crown

5.Smithfield - Winterfell of RI - Nice fields, crazy parents , lots of money to spend but last good king died 20 years ago and now being run by Ramsey Snow (pervert) and Bolton.



Rec coaches and competitive coaches still concentrating on winning and not development , coaches have left for places like Explosion and Cumberland. Striker continue playing 3r division NEP. They have burned bridges with organization like New England Futsal and think they know everything that has to do with development.
Same thing different package

[Unregistered]

if Smithfield was Game of Thrones

1. SV president of Soccer RI lives in Smithfield- Targaryn that can't control his own dragons at SRI.

2. BH wants his kid to go to URI- Umm. MN gets hired as DOC-Baelish who thinks he smarter than everyone else. Wants to be accepted in the Rhode Island Soccer inner circles so bad !!
3.TM lives in Smithfield-Tyrion Lannister - Nice guy who will figure out it a place for crazy people and leave.Not as short as Tyrion.
4. Bayside FC scared of RI Strikers girls team so formed an alliance for the sake of not loosing revenue -Jaime Lannister- forming an alliance with house Tyrell to save the crown

5.Smithfield - Winterfell of RI - Nice fields, crazy parents , lots of money to spend but last good king died 20 years ago and now being run by Ramsey Snow (pervert) and Bolto


Rec coaches and competitive coaches still concentrating on winning and not development , coaches have left for places like Explosion and Cumberland. Striker continue playing 3r division NEP. They have burned bridges with organization like New England Futsal and think they know everything that has to do with development.
Same thing different package

OK, so I don't live in my mother's basement like you and I actually have a wife, a job, a house and all the toys that a real man has, so I'll ignore the Game of thrones references. I haven't even heard of it.

1. Apart from living in Smithfield, SV has zero to do with Smithfield Youth Soccer (thank God)

2. BH could care less about URI and if he wanted his kid to go play for URI he would have pushed to Hire MN to coach his team.

3. TM lives in Smithfield? Since when?? He didn't even know where it was the first time he came.

4. BSFC scared of RI Strikers?? And *** is "loosing" revenue?? What no spellcheck on your mother's computer? I hear this one all the time and it's actually comical.

5. Again, You must be really fun at cocktail parties. Smithfield has no monopoly on crazy parents and the pervert comment makes no sense if you actually knew who the president was.

Rec is 98% filled with kids that just want to have fun (as it should be) so I'm not sure what kind of development you're looking for there and Competitive travel is a 1/4 step above that. The only coaches that left for Explosion or Cumberland were kicked out of town for reasons that I have no time or energy to talk about. I wouldn't let my kid play for them if they were the last two coaches left in the world. You have no idea what you are talking about with NEP or New England Futsal Academy and a Striker's Futsal Academy team lost in the finals at Futsal Regionals so who really cares. Not hiring someone to run clinics is hardly burning bridges.

Well, I'm outta time now. 350 gallons of fuel all pumped into my boat and I'm heading to Newport to enjoy this beautiful day. Hopefully it's not too damp down in that basement. Peace out loser.

[Unregistered]

OK, so I don't live in my mother's basement like you and I actually have a wife, a job, a house and all the toys that a real man has, so I'll ignore the Game of thrones references. I haven't even heard of it.

1. Apart from living in Smithfield, SV has zero to do with Smithfield Youth Soccer (thank God)

2. BH could care less about URI and if he wanted his kid to go play for URI he would have pushed to Hire MN to coach his team.

3. TM lives in Smithfield? Since when?? He didn't even know where it was the first time he came.

4. BSFC scared of RI Strikers?? And *** is "loosing" revenue?? What no spellcheck on your mother's computer? I hear this one all the time and it's actually comical.

5. Again, You must be really fun at cocktail parties. Smithfield has no monopoly on crazy parents and the pervert comment makes no sense if you actually knew who the president was.

Rec is 98% filled with kids that just want to have fun (as it should be) so I'm not sure what kind of development you're looking for there and Competitive travel is a 1/4 step above that. The only coaches that left for Explosion or Cumberland were kicked out of town for reasons that I have no time or energy to talk about. I wouldn't let my kid play for them if they were the last two coaches left in the world. You have no idea what you are talking about with NEP or New England Futsal Academy and a Striker's Futsal Academy team lost in the finals at Futsal Regionals so who really cares. Not hiring someone to run clinics is hardly burning bridges.

Well, I'm outta time now. 350 gallons of fuel all pumped into my boat and I'm heading to Newport to enjoy this beautiful day. Hopefully it's not too damp down in that basement. Peace out loser.

Enjoy your day out , I will be in my kiddie pool outside with my rubber ducky and red tug boat ..toot toot!!
What do you know , I can see Deerfield park from my backyard