When Does Recruiting Get Ugly?

[Unregistered]

There is a club with some very strong teams that openly and actively recruits. I am not going to throw the name out there but I bet all the competetive girls soccer parents will know exactly which club it is.

At what point is this a detriment to competition in general? If you have already rostered over 20 very good players and you are still collecting any players from other teams doesn't this diminish overall competition in a state the size of Oregon? Do you finally get to a point as a team that you play yourself or you win everything while desamating other teams? It looks like our team will loose at least 3 players to one of these teams. Collectively it will hurt.

I totally get that everyone has a choice about where to go and that is a good thing. Even so, I have to wonder how healthy it is for a club to encourage ill will towards other clubs? This club is sort of playing into the vindictive nature of parents. And, they are doing it without regard to thier own players that they are supposedly developing. After a certain number on the roster how much will these kids even get to play? To me it is sad that they have put winning everything possible at any cost over developing good and great soccer players.

I am unaware of even one great player that was actually developed by this club. They prefer to acquire them developed by anyone but them. I don't even know if I have a problem with wanting to acquire all the top players but when you start dipping into acquiring as many players as possible irrespective of the quality it begins to look a little ominous.

Don't get me wrong, the players on these teams are very nice youth. This has absolutely nothing to do with the them, it is a coaching / parent thing albeit a little sad as it may hurt all age bracket competition in the long run.

If you are with this club, I'll throw this out there: Any player whose parents will ditch their own team during state cup might not be good for your team either. What if they come to your team, displace some solid players that go elsewhere and then get ticked off at your club and try to take as many other players as they can with them to the new "greener grass".

The funny thing is that I use to believe that this was an amazing club developing amazing teams and now I am losing respect for this club and actually view them as shady. Having said that, I want to make it clear that the girls that play on these teams are amazing and the actions of the coaches and directors does not in any way take away from their individual accomplishments. My comments are not directed at the players!!

[eggy]

Welcome to "Premier Soccer" U15 and above. Embrace it, laugh at it, cry because of it, or play volleyball.

It happens in every state. It is more about parents collecting trophies than the kids wanting to play.

[Unregistered]

Welcome to "Premier Soccer" U15 and above. Embrace it, laugh at it, cry because of it, or play volleyball.

It happens in every state. It is more about parents collecting trophies than the kids wanting to play.

Unfortunate but likely true!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

And to add to eggy's comment, who said anything about "a club encouraging ill will towards another club?"
If a player is not getting what he/she wants and needs from their current club and a different club asks them to join, then it is between them, their parents and the new club. It doesn't harbor any ill feelings unless the player (or parent) has been treated poorly. Then maybe. We've had players from other clubs join ours and very rarely do you ever hear any of them complain or talk poorly of their previous club. Quite the opposite in most cases.
Also, I don't think you can carry 20 players (or more) until U16 or higher? I don't really know. All I know is that on our squad, the players earn their spots on almost a game by game basis. A forward who scored 2 goals one game might come off the bench or not play at all the next game. It promotes good competitive development and puts the most deserving players on the field every game. So really, if the coaches wants to recruit, let them. Again, the players who work hardest, get better and deserve to play, will. Regardless of how many are rostered.

My 2 cents.

[Unregistered]

Unfortunate but likely true!!!!!!!

Not even "likely True", definitely true! LOL!!

[SodiumFan[2]]

I'm going to have to agree with Eggy and with post #5 here. Happens all the time no matter which club.

Don't be shocked original poster.

:)

[Unregistered]

The ones who justify this behavior with "it happens all the time" are the ones who are either ok with this or have no problem taking part in it. What ever happened to standards?? Do we really need to go back to the phrase, "if everyone jumped off a bridge would you?" Because supposedly 'everyone' recruits and 'it happens all the time' then it must be ok. most parents and coaches in YOUTH SOCCER need to grow up and set proper examples for the kids that they 'claim' to care about. THIS IS YOUTH SOCCER, honestly, its ridiculous. I should have got my kid involved in golf or tennis.

[Unregistered]

Personally I think it is sad. Parents who try to get back at their son or daughter's club by walking out on their own team at inopertune times without notice absolutely promote ill will. If I were a coach I would want any player coming to my team from another team to be honest and up front with their own team and basically do it right. I would never promote sneaking around and would actually discourage it.

I think that at this level of soccer it might not be good for the players development either. The reality in life with employment and college is that it is generally not a good idea to walk out without notice. While there may be a few exceptions, overall you can guarantee that you will burn bridges and impact others who had nothing to do with the disagreement.

Part of development is the maturity to be able to voice a complaint and one's intent as well as taking responsiblity for one's own decisions. When you make a decision there are consequences. Consequences can be good or bad. We have had several people over the years leave the team with notice. There is no ill will in simply leaving. These players guest play, visit and are totally welcome.

Sneaking around, lying about intent and ditching your team during state cup are all examples of poor sportsmanship. I for one believe part of development is learning good morale conduct and placing high standards for yourself.

[Unregistered]

I really see nothing wrong with a coaching talking to parents from a different club. We've had a few coaches from other clubs talk to us and let us know what their club has to offer. It's good to get all the information. It has been our choice to stay with our current club because they offer great coaches, college placement, and excellent development. My children have been with this club since they were young and are top players on their team. Strangely enough I believe they belong to the same club in question here! I know quite a few of the U15 girls have been with our club since they were U11. Winning State has a strange way of recruiting players without having to say a word!

All the clubs recruit and I don't mind one bit. Ultimately it is up to me to decide what I think is best for my children.

[Unregistered]

Personally I think it is sad. Parents who try to get back at their son or daughter's club by walking out on their own team at inopertune times without notice absolutely promote ill will. If I were a coach I would want any player coming to my team from another team to be honest and up front with their own team and basically do it right. I would never promote sneaking around and would actually discourage it.

I think that at this level of soccer it might not be good for the players development either. The reality in life with employment and college is that it is generally not a good idea to walk out without notice. While there may be a few exceptions, overall you can guarantee that you will burn bridges and impact others who had nothing to do with the disagreement.

Part of development is the maturity to be able to voice a complaint and one's intent as well as taking responsiblity for one's own decisions. When you make a decision there are consequences. Consequences can be good or bad. We have had several people over the years leave the team with notice. There is no ill will in simply leaving. These players guest play, visit and are totally welcome.

Sneaking around, lying about intent and ditching your team during state cup are all examples of poor sportsmanship. I for one believe part of development is learning good morale conduct and placing high standards for yourself.

Agreed! Nothing wrong with changing clubs but honesty is always important!

[Unregistered]

The ones who justify this behavior with "it happens all the time" are the ones who are either ok with this or have no problem taking part in it. What ever happened to standards?? Do we really need to go back to the phrase, "if everyone jumped off a bridge would you?" Because supposedly 'everyone' recruits and 'it happens all the time' then it must be ok. most parents and coaches in YOUTH SOCCER need to grow up and set proper examples for the kids that they 'claim' to care about. THIS IS YOUTH SOCCER, honestly, its ridiculous. I should have got my kid involved in golf or tennis.

Yes, you should have and saved your whining for them. The majority (to quote: "most parents and coaches...") realize it happens and are OK with it. Why wouldn't they be? It causes the coaches to treat their players and parents better. And by that I mean develop them and produce a good team. The minority, like yourself, whine. What, your kid never got recruited by another team? I can hear your frustration all the way over here.

[Unregistered]

I really see nothing wrong with a coaching talking to parents from a different club. We've had a few coaches from other clubs talk to us and let us know what their club has to offer. It's good to get all the information. It has been our choice to stay with our current club because they offer great coaches, college placement, and excellent development. My children have been with this club since they were young and are top players on their team. Strangely enough I believe they belong to the same club in question here! I know quite a few of the U15 girls have been with our club since they were U11. Winning State has a strange way of recruiting players without having to say a word!

All the clubs recruit and I don't mind one bit. Ultimately it is up to me to decide what I think is best for my children.

I totally 100% agree that it is fine for coaches to let parents and players know what they have to offer. That is called marketing. I also believe that it is fine for parents and players to go to another club. However, honesty, integrity and sportsmanship should be part of the equation as well. The practices that I am referring to are borderline at best and may even dip into the unethical.

What do you feel about package deals? I will take your kid if you bring the kid I really want and so on?

[Unregistered]

Strange Climate--exclusive to Girls

Since very little if any real attention (press, prestige or public interest) is directed towards women's/girls soccer. It makes sense that when a strong female HS aged girl is being lauded for her soccer ablility (independent of her parents-usually her #1 fan) it's a positive stroke that doesn't happen very often, if ever in daily live---given where Girl's soccer appears in the lexicon of USA male Football/Basketballl/Baseball/ dominated sports culture.

No one else in Oregon is recruiting (going after) these young ladies to 'play' for their 'club' in Oregon.

Expect for one zealous club off HWY 26....it's easy pickens....you can sign up or stay put. With such poor competition available statewide for girl's soccer you can jump on board (the all star team). The team does well in Oregon and then gets to USYS regionals and gets smacked out of the tourney...now they won't have to worry about this anymore they can go win US Club Regionals...the real irony is the women's college programs are so stacked with financial aid and recruiting travel budgets due to title IX gender equity that staying put with the average team will more than likely enhance your evaluation as you will be more of a standout that can be seen by a member of the coaching staff (university) at a HS game or even club game....if a girl really wants to get better play with good Boys all the time...quicker game...more physical and more of a challenge....ask Marta the World's best play from Brazil how she did it....or enjoy the punch offered in Wa. County...i

[SodiumFan[2]]

I guess my first post was misconstrued a little. I am all for open communication and honesty in the process. Besides, doesn't the original club have to release the players player card to the recruiting club before they can play? If there is any outstanding (balances) issues that need resolution, isn't that the time to reconcile?

People act like youth soccer coaches send 200 lb guido's over to the players house and force the player to join their club "Or Else!" Or all of a sudden one day your star player doesn't show up and is seen playing with a different team. Like it's all done behind closed doors and in the dead of night. Come on folks, realize it doesn't happen like that. Maybe with your club, but never with this one. The player has a reason to look or leave. And I might add, most new players have approached our team and asked to guest play or tryout in hopes of joining us, not visa versa. We don't need to chase players.

This is a tired subject that has been hashed over and over many times.

[Unregistered]

Since very little if any real attention (press, prestige or public interest) is directed towards women's/girls soccer. It makes sense that when a strong female HS aged girl is being lauded for her soccer ablility (independent of her parents-usually her #1 fan) it's a positive stroke that doesn't happen very often, if ever in daily live---given where Girl's soccer appears in the lexicon of USA male Football/Basketballl/Baseball/ dominated sports culture.

No one else in Oregon is recruiting (going after) these young ladies to 'play' for their 'club' in Oregon.

Expect for one zealous club off HWY 26....it's easy pickens....you can sign up or stay put. With such poor competition available statewide for girl's soccer you can jump on board (the all star team). The team does well in Oregon and then gets to USYS regionals and gets smacked out of the tourney...now they won't have to worry about this anymore they can go win US Club Regionals...the real irony is the women's college programs are so stacked with financial aid and recruiting travel budgets due to title IX gender equity that staying put with the average team will more than likely enhance your evaluation as you will be more of a standout that can be seen by a member of the coaching staff (university) at a HS game or even club game....if a girl really wants to get better play with good Boys all the time...quicker game...more physical and more of a challenge....ask Marta the World's best play from Brazil how she did it....or enjoy the punch offered in Wa. County...i

So then who is smarter? That Zealous club off HWY 26 for wanting the best talent, an opportunity to go to FW regionals or US Club regionals? Or the poor saps that don't go after the talent and get smacked down in their own back yard year after year and never make it outside of Oregon or get any recognition??