VUSA/WSA Merger

[Unregistered]

That U-12 team has a coach that is completely over his head and they are already clearly behind! Why do you think they pay for a "trainer"..... That is why you go to the bigger club. They have the resources and staff to keep that team on track.

What does "they are already clearly behind" mean? Do you mean this team is clearly behind WSA and Timbers? I know this team and the coach is smart to expose the kids to different coaching styles and different techniques. That does NOT mean that the coach is in "over his head". Nothing wrong with asking for help, is there?

[Unregistered]

You are right. If a Pacific team has a great thing going and already compete at a high level (for example, the U12 Boys), and have a great coach, they may not want to switch ever. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Totally agree. I really just meant that once the merger is complete, it will be VERY unusual to have a Premier level team at Pacific or FCSC that will compete at the highest level. Those top kids will likely spill over earlier on with the benefits that the merged club will provide. The benefits being coaching resources, turf fields, Portland Timbers alliance, and more players, meaning that top kids can find like talent to play with. My bad on the original post. Words could have been chosen better. The other thing that I happen to believe is that the clubs outside of the Timbers alliance will, for better or for worse, be at a disadvantage when it comes to making Portland Timbers ODP RTC or State pools. They certainly can show up at tryouts, and if they are fantastic, they will rise to the top anyway. But if 2 kids are equal, and one kid is part of the alliance and one is not, my feeling is they will lean towards the kid in the alliance. And the RTC coaching staff will likely be part of the merged club so they will know the alliance kids better to begin with. Just my random thoughts and opinion... not to offend.

Of all the benefits you listed (coaching resources, turf fields, Portland Timbers alliance, and more players) the only one that I agree with is the alliance. Coaching resources: that one is really hit or miss. Turf fields: an advantage for the big clubs but even Pacific can rent fields. More players: doesn't mean much is the a particular team at Pacific or Salmon Creek (e.g., U13G) is known as the best team. The alliance point is well taken and, I'm afraid, quite possibly the dirty truth.

[Unregistered]

I would say better to recognize your defienencies and ask for help, than the coaches that think they know it all.

[Unregistered]

That U-12 team has a coach that is completely over his head and they are already clearly behind! Why do you think they pay for a "trainer"..... That is why you go to the bigger club. They have the resources and staff to keep that team on track.

We belong to a big club. Over half of the players pay for an outside private "trainer" outside of the club. This is not uncommon at other big clubs.

The benefit of a larger club is many of the players are probably better then what you have at your club. I think your peers have a lot to do with your development.

The bigger clubs have some good coaches, but they also have some bad coaches. Our coach was average at best.

[Unregistered]

I would say better to recognize your defienencies and ask for help, than the coaches that think they know it all.

Yuup. Even if the coach is the best in the league, he can't be the best at every possible aspect of the sport.

The other thing I've seen is that coaches can start to have biases for or against a player and then stick that kid in a certain position. But with a new coach or trainer helping out, you get a fresh set of eyes on the team.

If a coach does NOT ask for help, THATs when you have a BCE. (big coach ego)

[Unregistered]

Of all the benefits you listed (coaching resources, turf fields, Portland Timbers alliance, and more players) the only one that I agree with is the alliance. Coaching resources: that one is really hit or miss. Turf fields: an advantage for the big clubs but even Pacific can rent fields. More players: doesn't mean much is the a particular team at Pacific or Salmon Creek (e.g., U13G) is known as the best team. The alliance point is well taken and, I'm afraid, quite possibly the dirty truth.

I think I can go along with the coaching resources point other than alliance teams will have access to Portland Timbers resources/clinics/coaches too... so they say.

Turf fields: the point is that the merged club can pool resources better, better utilizing the field time. I really don't mind having 4 teams on a field at times, much better than 6 inches of mud. Just better for development. Also, turf fields are constantly negotiated. If you are a large user of the fields, you can negotiate prices downward. Also, last time I checked, VUSA had already set aside $700k towards lights and turf at Harmony, 200k from 1 sponsor! With the merger, I anticipate more sponsorships stepping up and contributions from a larger membership. And for our kids to compete with the best, they better be training on Turf fields during the worst months.

More players: The point here is that moving forward, better talent will, in general terms, be better at the merged club. Top players want and need to play with top players to develop. Just by sheer numbers and statistics this will be true. If you have 200 kids trying out in one age group in the merged club versus 50 kids at a smaller club, the top 18 are almost surely going to be stronger at the large club. The next 18 will be stronger than the next 18... so on. Not always the case, but most every time. This is not a knock on smaller clubs, just facts. And most importanly, an opportunity for those top level kids to play with like talent, as that is crucial to their development if they so choose.

And again, for better or for worse, even if you have a top team at Pacific or FCSC today, those players are going to have to think long and hard about moving to the new club. For one, once you mesh WSA and VUSA, the new team may be equal (or close) to that top Pacific team. And the other benefits such as Timbers Alliance access have to be considered, especially if those kids want to improve their shot at RTC/ODP.

I do not have a kid on the U12 Pacific. And I respect that team very much. Seen them play, very impressive! But if I did have a kid on that team (or any other top level team from Pacific or FCSC), I would have to sit down with my kid and family and really think about the options. Just my 2 cents.

[Unregistered]

Fields will seal the deal

Quality turf fields are an issue in SW WA today and will be an even bigger issue in the near future.
Field expenditure is usually the #2 line item expense of a premier club, after salaries.
As schools and municipalities look to manage their shrinking budgets they look for other revenue sources. You got it .... turf field rental is a gold mine and they know it. It's not far fetched that clubs will see a 30%+ increase in the near future. This is easy revenue! The taxpayers already covered the expensive fixed costs. Not to mention that a club is at the scheduling mercy of a public beuracracy.
A larger club (4k plus) has the ability to afford / absorb / offset these costs more so than a smaller club. A larger club can realistically build it's own turf complex. The revenue spent renting can be channeled into owning. Small clubs simply don't have the financial means.
In my opinion, quality training and playing facilities that are available 24/7/365 will be a huge decision factor for SW WA families. It appears that VUSA/WSA are well down the path in securing this resource both in the near and long term.

[Unregistered]

Club owned turf fields are also a critical ingredient for turning the Clash at the Border tournament into a top tournament. The best teams won't travel to play on bad fields.

[Unregistered]

Harmony Upgrade

Club owned turf fields are also a critical ingredient for turning the Clash at the Border tournament into a top tournament. The best teams won't travel to play on bad fields.

Given that the Clash is typically played in late June / early July turf is less important than quality grass fields. I would hope that the new club spends some funds on a upgrading the harmony facility.
They have the real estate and the foundation is there. Cudos to VUSA for bringing the quality of the harmony pitch up in the recent years.
Harmony parking needs to be paved. Lights added to parking and field complex. Upgrade the buildings/restrooms. An overall facelift is needed. And of course the planned 3 turf fields! NOW WE'RE TALKING!

[Unregistered]

Quality turf fields are an issue in SW WA today and will be an even bigger issue in the near future.
Field expenditure is usually the #2 line item expense of a premier club, after salaries.
As schools and municipalities look to manage their shrinking budgets they look for other revenue sources. You got it .... turf field rental is a gold mine and they know it. It's not far fetched that clubs will see a 30%+ increase in the near future. This is easy revenue! The taxpayers already covered the expensive fixed costs. Not to mention that a club is at the scheduling mercy of a public beuracracy.
A larger club (4k plus) has the ability to afford / absorb / offset these costs more so than a smaller club. A larger club can realistically build it's own turf complex. The revenue spent renting can be channeled into owning. Small clubs simply don't have the financial means.
In my opinion, quality training and playing facilities that are available 24/7/365 will be a huge decision factor for SW WA families. It appears that VUSA/WSA are well down the path in securing this resource both in the near and long term.

Glad to see that we have 2 new turf fields in the area: Prairie and Luke Jensen. That's a short term help.

Long term we can hope VUSA will get moving faster on Harmony. That's still years away though.

Dont think fields is anywhere near as important as the coach.

[Unregistered]

Glad to see that we have 2 new turf fields in the area: Prairie and Luke Jensen. That's a short term help.

Long term we can hope VUSA will get moving faster on Harmony. That's still years away though.

Dont think fields is anywhere near as important as the coach.

Absolutely .... coaching improvements would be the game changer in SW WA.
We all have to be willing to pay more to get more. Quality coaches will demand more $ or go elsewhere and field ownership will cost more than renting (at least in the short term).

[Unregistered]

Harmony Fields

Glad to see that we have 2 new turf fields in the area: Prairie and Luke Jensen. That's a short term help.

Long term we can hope VUSA will get moving faster on Harmony. That's still years away though.

Dont think fields is anywhere near as important as the coach.

You could be right about years away, but I'm not so sure. Plus, adding pending merger to the mix with more members for contributions and potential for additional funds from sponsors, seems sooner rather than later. From VUSA website:

FIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

To those of you who did not attend 2011 Auction, VUSA kicked off their $2M Capital Campaign to raise money for 3 Lit Turf Fields to be constructed at Harmony Sports Complex in the summer of 2012. The Club has raised about $200K thus far and has secured a $300K low interest loan from WYS. We have another $200K commited from a great sponsor. Construction will begin when we reach 80% of our target. As we go out to the community at large, we’ll have to demonstrate that VUSA’s Members are committed to donating something to this needed cause.

The Board has set the goals and timelines above, and 100% of us have already donated to this Project. We’ve asked the Coaches to do the same, and expect their 100% participation by their next meeting on 11/7. We now ask you, our Membership, to contribute by clicking on registration or by filling out the form.

It will take all of us within VUSA, our business connections and matching programs, our friends and families to make these Turf fields a reality. We need your help. It takes a village, and we are that village.

Isn’t about time we pulled our children out of the mud did something about it. That time has finally come.
Let’s do this!!

[Unregistered]

Go turf fields!

You could be right about years away, but I'm not so sure. Plus, adding pending merger to the mix with more members for contributions and potential for additional funds from sponsors, seems sooner rather than later. From VUSA website:

FIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

To those of you who did not attend 2011 Auction, VUSA kicked off their $2M Capital Campaign to raise money for 3 Lit Turf Fields to be constructed at Harmony Sports Complex in the summer of 2012. The Club has raised about $200K thus far and has secured a $300K low interest loan from WYS. We have another $200K commited from a great sponsor. Construction will begin when we reach 80% of our target. As we go out to the community at large, we’ll have to demonstrate that VUSA’s Members are committed to donating something to this needed cause.

The Board has set the goals and timelines above, and 100% of us have already donated to this Project. We’ve asked the Coaches to do the same, and expect their 100% participation by their next meeting on 11/7. We now ask you, our Membership, to contribute by clicking on registration or by filling out the form.

It will take all of us within VUSA, our business connections and matching programs, our friends and families to make these Turf fields a reality. We need your help. It takes a village, and we are that village.

Isn’t about time we pulled our children out of the mud did something about it. That time has finally come.
Let’s do this!!

So VUSA has raised about 35% of the $2 million needed. This is a great start but if they hold to the 80% b4 construction to start they still have a long way to go. Also $2 million seems a little light for 3 turf fields with lights?
I wish VUSA the best of luck and I hope the pending merger does help speed things up!
I would love to play a VUSA team on turf vs. some of those grass fields they use over there!

[Unregistered]

anyone know what it costs to play in the WSA memorial day weekend Futsal Tourney ? Ive been all over their website and cant find it.

[Unregistered]

I thought it said $200.00 per team.