Ocys = cfk 2.0

[Unregistered]

Easy- then don't do it. Go find a club that will tell you right now who your coach is, where you train, and what league you will play in. get it in writing, then join.

Over 2000 others will decide that OC will be a better club- even if they don't know what field they're assigned come June.

Jahahahahahajajajaaahahahahahaaaa!!

[Unregistered]

I know that there are girls from tsunami and Lakeland looking to come in for ecnl. It should make for a very competitive environment. I don't know about the boys but I am sure it will be a similar situation.

Not to be rude but lol....maybe singular tops

[Unregistered]

Actually- it's not just HS soccer we're talking about. don't think for a second that things like marching band, the drama team or ANY OTHER HS sport are compatible with a 10 month focused training schedule at the Academy level or ECNL.

And you're wrong- I know quite a few players who aren't happy about facing the choice. HS is important. It's not just about the crap quality of play (and it is crap). It's about representing your school as a 15-18 year old, and everything that comes with it. It's a major part of young adulthood- although not in an Al Bundy kinda way.

I realilze it is difficult (for me included btw) to think of our children not growing up and playing for their HS someday whether it be in soccer, band, drama, etc..... The players that this rule actually effects is so minute that they (and their parents) should be preparing for this situation well before the time comes. It's not as if one day when your son/daughter turns 15 and suddenly the light bulb goes off and now they are the Gatorade National Player of the Year. I realize playing for your HS has a lot that goes with it. However, the true players this effects will be going on to college, pros, and can you imagine representing your country and all that goes with that? Obviously, this is a tiny percentage of players, but realize that in order to get to that level, only a certain path can be taken....and unfortunatley HS is not part of the current path (like perhaps it was when we were kids).

[Unregistered]

I know that there are girls from tsunami and Lakeland looking to come in for ecnl. It should make for a very competitive environment. I don't know about the boys but I am sure it will be a similar situation.

Really, they are willing to drive to Central Winds three times per week? Sounds good until you do the math. Let's do the math.

Gallon of gas = $3.75
Avg US car mpg highway = 27
OOCEA tolls estimated at $9.50 per roundtrip
38 weeks of training
3 nights per week

Roundtrip from Melbourne Beach = 170 miles
3 times per week = 510 miles
38 weeks per year = 19380 miles
19380/27 = 718 gallons
718 * 3.75 = $2692.50
Estimated toll adder = $1083

Annual estimated transportation expense from Melbourne Beach = $3775.50


Roundtrip from Lakeland = 150 miles
3 times per week = 450 miles
38 weeks per year = 17100 miles
17100/27 = 634 gallons
634 * 3.75 = $2377.50
Estimated toll adder = $1083

Annual estimated transportation expense from Lakeland = $3460.50

[Unregistered]

Really, they are willing to drive to Central Winds three times per week? Sounds good until you do the math. Let's do the math.

Gallon of gas = $3.75
Avg US car mpg highway = 27
OOCEA tolls estimated at $9.50 per roundtrip
38 weeks of training
3 nights per week

Roundtrip from Melbourne Beach = 170 miles
3 times per week = 510 miles
38 weeks per year = 19380 miles
19380/27 = 718 gallons
718 * 3.75 = $2692.50
Estimated toll adder = $1083

Annual estimated transportation expense from Melbourne Beach = $3775.50


Roundtrip from Lakeland = 150 miles
3 times per week = 450 miles
38 weeks per year = 17100 miles
17100/27 = 634 gallons
634 * 3.75 = $2377.50
Estimated toll adder = $1083

Annual estimated transportation expense from Lakeland = $3460.50

Thanks for figuring this out for us. Can you tell me where do I apply for that scholarship fund parents were forced to donate into? I think I will be needing some of those dollars now because my Escalade actually gets less MPG than you estimated. In addition, if my kid is playing DA he needs the coolest shoes on the market.

We need a scholarship!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

It has nothing to do with 'good ole boys' and conforming. It has everything to do with how you handle people - PEOPLE SKILLS. If you are in a position that you are in charge of 2000+ players and staff you should have a basic knowledge of dealing with people.

face it...you can't stand the fact that he doesn't care that You don't agree with him, doesn't do what YOU think is best. Soccer parents are a fickle bunch and most of the ones that get along with the parents are the ones that turn out to be Liars.

I think your hiding behind the "People Skills" thing when the fact is you can't get your way or have it your way so in your POV he's the reason why.

[Unregistered]

Really, they are willing to drive to Central Winds three times per week? Sounds good until you do the math. Let's do the math.

Gallon of gas = $3.75
Avg US car mpg highway = 27
OOCEA tolls estimated at $9.50 per roundtrip
38 weeks of training
3 nights per week

Roundtrip from Melbourne Beach = 170 miles
3 times per week = 510 miles
38 weeks per year = 19380 miles
19380/27 = 718 gallons
718 * 3.75 = $2692.50
Estimated toll adder = $1083

Annual estimated transportation expense from Melbourne Beach = $3775.50


Roundtrip from Lakeland = 150 miles
3 times per week = 450 miles
38 weeks per year = 17100 miles
17100/27 = 634 gallons
634 * 3.75 = $2377.50
Estimated toll adder = $1083

Annual estimated transportation expense from Lakeland = $3460.50

You know what your limitations are as a parent, but there are many parents who would go beyond your own limitations and make the trip. Trust me, people come from further away than that to play club level soccer.

[Unregistered]

I attended the event last night and I thought there were positives and negatives. I am currently involved in CFK as an academy coach for the U5-U8 age group. First off the OCYS IMO has a chance to be very very successful. Some of you believe the Brick's, Menzies, Pederson, etc can't get it done and other's do believe they can get it done. So we are just gonna have to wait and see. I believe there are some very good people involved that can make this successful. I do worry that the club may become too big.

I have only met HM once so I don't know much about the guy. A few comments I will make is that after Dan Hicks read his bio he got a pretty good ovation from those in attendance. Some of it was players and some coaches. The younger girls around me certainly were cheering for him. Take from that what you will. I will also add that ECNL commissioner Sarah Kate Noftsinger had nothing but good things to say about HM and even said towards the end that if you have a chance to play for HM that you better do it. However, he was impossible to understand and it sounded like he was mumbling. So public speaking is certainly not one of his strong traits. So for OCYS sakes hopefully they don't put him behind a microphone for any speaking engagements that are very important. Dan Hicks who I know nothing about doesn't ever need to be behind a microphone either.

I have never met Brian Pederson, but I was impressed with him and what he had to say and he seemed genuine and I think he is a guy that can be very valuable to the club. I thought Joe Raymond's speech about community outreach, etc was important, because the whole beginning of the presentation was all about soccer and how great DA and ECNL is and all that great jazz, but the reality of the situation is 99% of these kids etc will probably never play major pro soccer and be able to make a living off the game. That is just the way it is. That goes for all sports (basketball, football, etc) so it was refreshing to see Raymond talk about other things that are important than just how good of a soccer player you are and how important it is to develop individuals for life after soccer.

I do know GB pretty well and he's a good guy and knows the game very well. Now I know some people complain about him because he is a "daddy" coach etc., but again IMO he's a good guy and your probably not going to get anybody much better than him for the Technical Director, so might as well give him a shot. I also know quite a few people on the BoD and those few people I know are people that I have alot of confidence in and will do a very good job for the club.

I know it is a message board so naturally people like to complain/boast, etc, but the reality of the situation everybody is just gonna have to sit back and see what happens. I do believe if you and your child is very serious about soccer and want to continue to develop and you live in the Central Florida area I don't know what other club your going to be able be a part of to achieve those "big" goals. IMO OCYS looks like they have a monopoly on Central Florida soccer. And that monopoly could end up backfiring if the club becomes too big too fast or it could turn into a HUGE success. They are going to need alot of talented manpower. The most important hiring's for them IMO are going to be site directors, etc at the different site's with the different age groups. Those people will need to be very enthusiastic, know the game well and great communicators.

My opinion on high school soccer is mixed. I enjoyed high school soccer because your playing for your school with your very close friends and it is one of the good things about the high school experience. On the other hand when I played high school soccer things like DA and ECNL did not exist. Also it will weaken the central florida high school teams, so more than likely once a Central Florida high school team gets out of the region then more than likely that is as far as they are going to get.

[Unregistered]

Let us now hear from the happy FSA people that were present.

[Unregistered]

Let us now hear from the happy FSA people that were present.

*chirp, chirp*

[Unregistered]

I attended the event last night and I thought there were positives and negatives. I am currently involved in CFK as an academy coach for the U5-U8 age group. First off the OCYS IMO has a chance to be very very successful. Some of you believe the Brick's, Menzies, Pederson, etc can't get it done and other's do believe they can get it done. So we are just gonna have to wait and see. I believe there are some very good people involved that can make this successful. I do worry that the club may become too big.

I have only met HM once so I don't know much about the guy. A few comments I will make is that after Dan Hicks read his bio he got a pretty good ovation from those in attendance. Some of it was players and some coaches. The younger girls around me certainly were cheering for him. Take from that what you will. I will also add that ECNL commissioner Sarah Kate Noftsinger had nothing but good things to say about HM and even said towards the end that if you have a chance to play for HM that you better do it. However, he was impossible to understand and it sounded like he was mumbling. So public speaking is certainly not one of his strong traits. So for OCYS sakes hopefully they don't put him behind a microphone for any speaking engagements that are very important. Dan Hicks who I know nothing about doesn't ever need to be behind a microphone either.

I have never met Brian Pederson, but I was impressed with him and what he had to say and he seemed genuine and I think he is a guy that can be very valuable to the club. I thought Joe Raymond's speech about community outreach, etc was important, because the whole beginning of the presentation was all about soccer and how great DA and ECNL is and all that great jazz, but the reality of the situation is 99% of these kids etc will probably never play major pro soccer and be able to make a living off the game. That is just the way it is. That goes for all sports (basketball, football, etc) so it was refreshing to see Raymond talk about other things that are important than just how good of a soccer player you are and how important it is to develop individuals for life after soccer.

I do know GB pretty well and he's a good guy and knows the game very well. Now I know some people complain about him because he is a "daddy" coach etc., but again IMO he's a good guy and your probably not going to get anybody much better than him for the Technical Director, so might as well give him a shot. I also know quite a few people on the BoD and those few people I know are people that I have alot of confidence in and will do a very good job for the club.

I know it is a message board so naturally people like to complain/boast, etc, but the reality of the situation everybody is just gonna have to sit back and see what happens. I do believe if you and your child is very serious about soccer and want to continue to develop and you live in the Central Florida area I don't know what other club your going to be able be a part of to achieve those "big" goals. IMO OCYS looks like they have a monopoly on Central Florida soccer. And that monopoly could end up backfiring if the club becomes too big too fast or it could turn into a HUGE success. They are going to need alot of talented manpower. The most important hiring's for them IMO are going to be site directors, etc at the different site's with the different age groups. Those people will need to be very enthusiastic, know the game well and great communicators.

My opinion on high school soccer is mixed. I enjoyed high school soccer because your playing for your school with your very close friends and it is one of the good things about the high school experience. On the other hand when I played high school soccer things like DA and ECNL did not exist. Also it will weaken the central florida high school teams, so more than likely once a Central Florida high school team gets out of the region then more than likely that is as far as they are going to get.

This is a good assessment. Agree about HM and DH speaking. That part could have been more professional. Even the ECNL lady rambled a lot and did not seem prepared.
Also think a few questions were not answered to the satisfaction of most people, like where kids would practice. Also disappointed that it is taking so long to get the coaches announced.
Some things were vague, like how the DA tryouts will be held, and also how the costs of DA/ECNL are being subsidized. (Other kids' fees I'm sure) Most of the panel did talk about their own high school success, but again, no DA/ECNL around at that time. High school soccer is not the best, but is still an important part of life for many kids. My kid loves it, good, bad, or ugly as it is.

[Unregistered]

I attended the event last night and I thought there were positives and negatives. I am currently involved in CFK as an academy coach for the U5-U8 age group. First off the OCYS IMO has a chance to be very very successful. Some of you believe the Brick's, Menzies, Pederson, etc can't get it done and other's do believe they can get it done. So we are just gonna have to wait and see. I believe there are some very good people involved that can make this successful. I do worry that the club may become too big.

I have only met HM once so I don't know much about the guy. A few comments I will make is that after Dan Hicks read his bio he got a pretty good ovation from those in attendance. Some of it was players and some coaches. The younger girls around me certainly were cheering for him. Take from that what you will. I will also add that ECNL commissioner Sarah Kate Noftsinger had nothing but good things to say about HM and even said towards the end that if you have a chance to play for HM that you better do it. However, he was impossible to understand and it sounded like he was mumbling. So public speaking is certainly not one of his strong traits. So for OCYS sakes hopefully they don't put him behind a microphone for any speaking engagements that are very important. Dan Hicks who I know nothing about doesn't ever need to be behind a microphone either.

I have never met Brian Pederson, but I was impressed with him and what he had to say and he seemed genuine and I think he is a guy that can be very valuable to the club. I thought Joe Raymond's speech about community outreach, etc was important, because the whole beginning of the presentation was all about soccer and how great DA and ECNL is and all that great jazz, but the reality of the situation is 99% of these kids etc will probably never play major pro soccer and be able to make a living off the game. That is just the way it is. That goes for all sports (basketball, football, etc) so it was refreshing to see Raymond talk about other things that are important than just how good of a soccer player you are and how important it is to develop individuals for life after soccer.

I do know GB pretty well and he's a good guy and knows the game very well. Now I know some people complain about him because he is a "daddy" coach etc., but again IMO he's a good guy and your probably not going to get anybody much better than him for the Technical Director, so might as well give him a shot. I also know quite a few people on the BoD and those few people I know are people that I have alot of confidence in and will do a very good job for the club.

I know it is a message board so naturally people like to complain/boast, etc, but the reality of the situation everybody is just gonna have to sit back and see what happens. I do believe if you and your child is very serious about soccer and want to continue to develop and you live in the Central Florida area I don't know what other club your going to be able be a part of to achieve those "big" goals. IMO OCYS looks like they have a monopoly on Central Florida soccer. And that monopoly could end up backfiring if the club becomes too big too fast or it could turn into a HUGE success. They are going to need alot of talented manpower. The most important hiring's for them IMO are going to be site directors, etc at the different site's with the different age groups. Those people will need to be very enthusiastic, know the game well and great communicators.

My opinion on high school soccer is mixed. I enjoyed high school soccer because your playing for your school with your very close friends and it is one of the good things about the high school experience. On the other hand when I played high school soccer things like DA and ECNL did not exist. Also it will weaken the central florida high school teams, so more than likely once a Central Florida high school team gets out of the region then more than likely that is as far as they are going to get.

Thanks for your insight. One of the things I think is important is that these guys have demonstrated their commitment to learning and improving in their field- I understand that all the coaches and directors as well as technical trainers at OC are to be licensed or credentialed to be in these important roles.

Does anyone know what level licenses guys like Menzies, Pederson and Brick hold? Was that part of their introductions at the meeting?

[Unregistered]

Thanks for your insight. One of the things I think is important is that these guys have demonstrated their commitment to learning and improving in their field- I understand that all the coaches and directors as well as technical trainers at OC are to be licensed or credentialed to be in these important roles.

Does anyone know what level licenses guys like Menzies, Pederson and Brick hold? Was that part of their introductions at the meeting?

Brick National C
Menzies National A
Pederson, don't know.

To the earlier poster, with regard to the DA, they just got the DA officially on Friday, which is probably why things are so vague. Last nights meets has been on the calendar for a three weeks minimum so it was not originally part of this agenda.

On the coaches, it's a very sticky situation, everyone wants a top team and want control of their players. This is a new environment so things will change and those conversations need to happen so that they know for sure who's coming back or not based on the assignment. If they post now and they have to make changes I'm sure many would screaming about deception and bait switch....

[Unregistered]

This is a good assessment. Agree about HM and DH speaking. That part could have been more professional. Even the ECNL lady rambled a lot and did not seem prepared.
Also think a few questions were not answered to the satisfaction of most people, like where kids would practice. Also disappointed that it is taking so long to get the coaches announced.
Some things were vague, like how the DA tryouts will be held, and also how the costs of DA/ECNL are being subsidized. (Other kids' fees I'm sure) Most of the panel did talk about their own high school success, but again, no DA/ECNL around at that time. High school soccer is not the best, but is still an important part of life for many kids. My kid loves it, good, bad, or ugly as it is.

It cracks me up how people complain about the cost of youth soccer yet they expect the volunteers to be professional MC's. I'm sure if there is an MC that is willing to work for cheap they would graciously allow them to handle this next time.

[Unregistered]

Brick National C
Menzies National A
Pederson, don't know.

To the earlier poster, with regard to the DA, they just got the DA officially on Friday, which is probably why things are so vague. Last nights meets has been on the calendar for a three weeks minimum so it was not originally part of this agenda.

On the coaches, it's a very sticky situation, everyone wants a top team and want control of their players. This is a new environment so things will change and those conversations need to happen so that they know for sure who's coming back or not based on the assignment. If they post now and they have to make changes I'm sure many would screaming about deception and bait switch....

What the difference between National C and A ? Are there also State Soccer licenses?