lower division teams

[Unregistered]

if you have a team that plays in a division 1 or lower bracket (looking at OPL here but think equivalent else where) what is the point? Is there not rec soccer where you are?

(I am being serious here as I don't understand why you would pay the higher fee and be involved at the higher commitment level time wise for that level of soccer when basically rec is the same thing minus the high cost and paid coach)

[Unregistered]

if you have a team that plays in a division 1 or lower bracket (looking at OPL here but think equivalent else where) what is the point? Is there not rec soccer where you are?

(I am being serious here as I don't understand why you would pay the higher fee and be involved at the higher commitment level time wise for that level of soccer when basically rec is the same thing minus the high cost and paid coach)

So my kid can learn how to play soccer with a coach who knows how to teach soccer and who does not have his own shild on the team so none of that favoritism. You might get that if you are lucky with a rec team but usually not. With our club, my kid, who loves soccer, gets to play all year with a group of committed kids and a committed coach. My kid learns that with hard work they can move up to the A team and they make friends. And this gives them a better chance to eventually play varsity soccer in high school which is a great experience for a lot of kids. It's all about life lessons, learning to play the game, learning about commitment, and having fun. My kid loves it and it works for us. I'm happy to pay the about $1,000 for this year around experience.

[Unregistered]

if you have a team that plays in a division 1 or lower bracket (looking at OPL here but think equivalent else where) what is the point? Is there not rec soccer where you are?

(I am being serious here as I don't understand why you would pay the higher fee and be involved at the higher commitment level time wise for that level of soccer when basically rec is the same thing minus the high cost and paid coach)

From our experience it worked out well. We stayed at our club and and same players, had a great parent coach (advantages to that), at a low cost. It was a lot more games, tournaments and experience than rec acturally. Our first step before changing to a "premier" team for various reasons. There are advantages/disadvantages just make the decision that is right for you now and really not that hard to change the next year if you handle correctly.

Take it one year at a time.

[Unregistered]

if you have a team that plays in a division 1 or lower bracket (looking at OPL here but think equivalent else where) what is the point? Is there not rec soccer where you are?

(I am being serious here as I don't understand why you would pay the higher fee and be involved at the higher commitment level time wise for that level of soccer when basically rec is the same thing minus the high cost and paid coach)

The truth is their is not much difference between the teams in premier and the teams in 1st division. My daughter plays for a u13 premier team and we played many of the teams in 1st division this year and won some and lost some, but most were very close games. My point is, in Oregon we have maybe 3-5 teams that are much stronger than the rest of the teams in the state, then a whole bunch of teams that are average premier teams, but are still much stronger than rec. teams.

[Unregistered]

The truth is their is not much difference between the teams in premier and the teams in 1st division. My daughter plays for a u13 premier team and we played many of the teams in 1st division this year and won some and lost some, but most were very close games. My point is, in Oregon we have maybe 3-5 teams that are much stronger than the rest of the teams in the state, then a whole bunch of teams that are average premier teams, but are still much stronger than rec. teams.

Just so I am clear I am not referring to NPL, I am referring to the teams in Premier.

[Unregistered]

The truth is their is not much difference between the teams in premier and the teams in 1st division. My daughter plays for a u13 premier team and we played many of the teams in 1st division this year and won some and lost some, but most were very close games. My point is, in Oregon we have maybe 3-5 teams that are much stronger than the rest of the teams in the state, then a whole bunch of teams that are average premier teams, but are still much stronger than rec. teams.

I agree for the most part, although we had a rec team that was better than some "classic" teams. Lots of overlap between clubs, can go either way, depending on the day/time. Just find a team and coach and make it fun/positive/encouraging. You will learn and see many other teams and coaches so just be friendly and open to the possibilities.

[Unregistered]

Just so I am clear I am not referring to NPL, I am referring to the teams in Premier.

It is really simple.

1)Our Child enjoys playing soccer and wants to grow as a soccer player.
2)He is on a team where the kids connect well and all have a competitive attitude.
3)Him playing soccer is not about us bragging that our son plays NPL, it is about him playing at an appropriate level for his teams skill set.
4)There is just as much gained by the child, and the team when you have two matched premier teams, as when you have two matched NPL teams play each other.
5)finally be careful in judging a team based on whether it is NPL, Premier, or whatever else. Recently this league assignment has been more about politics than about actual skill level of the teams.

So the question I would put back to the original poster is, what is the point of your child participating in sports? Are you just focused on them becoming professional athletes and rolling in all the D1 scholarship money? Are you trying to satisfy a competitive need of your own? Or is it just wanting to keep up with the neighbors who have a kid in NPL.

As parents there is a fine line we need to draw where we let our kids discover what they love to do, and then we help them find a good place to do it. Hopefully that is the point.

[Unregistered]

if you have a team that plays in a division 1 or lower bracket (looking at OPL here but think equivalent else where) what is the point? Is there not rec soccer where you are?

(I am being serious here as I don't understand why you would pay the higher fee and be involved at the higher commitment level time wise for that level of soccer when basically rec is the same thing minus the high cost and paid coach)

My kid played Div 1 at U14 and now plays college on scholorship. Not all kids develop at the same rate or time. She is not the only one I know that is playing in college that didn't play premier at a young age. Off her U12 B team there are two playing D1 and one DII.

I have never understood why a kid would want to be on a premier team and sit on the bench the whole time. Always seems like a waste of time and money.

[Unregistered]

Rec soccer and division 1 soccer are not even close to the same thing. Surprised the original poster doesn't know this.

[Unregistered]

My kid played Div 1 at U14 and now plays college on scholorship. Not all kids develop at the same rate or time. She is not the only one I know that is playing in college that didn't play premier at a young age. Off her U12 B team there are two playing D1 and one DII.

I have never understood why a kid would want to be on a premier team and sit on the bench the whole time. Always seems like a waste of time and money.

Just goes to show there is not just one path! Another example, every NFL team has players who played football at a DivIII level, you see the same thing if you check NBA rosters, and I suspect MLS as well.

Don't believe the people who try to pitch they have "the only way" to make it to ... Most of the time what they should be saying is their way is the only way they make any money...

[Unregistered]

The truth is their is not much difference between the teams in premier and the teams in 1st division. My daughter plays for a u13 premier team and we played many of the teams in 1st division this year and won some and lost some, but most were very close games. My point is, in Oregon we have maybe 3-5 teams that are much stronger than the rest of the teams in the state, then a whole bunch of teams that are average premier teams, but are still much stronger than rec. teams.

Agree. With the new Premier Division they created, they did not do a great job of making the Divisions. Some lower teams in Premier should be 1st Division and some top Division 1 teams should be Premier. Really a mute point since Timbers are leaving next year.

Now our Division I team will qualify for Premier or higher. : )

[Unregistered]

if you have a team that plays in a division 1 or lower bracket (looking at OPL here but think equivalent else where) what is the point? Is there not rec soccer where you are?

(I am being serious here as I don't understand why you would pay the higher fee and be involved at the higher commitment level time wise for that level of soccer when basically rec is the same thing minus the high cost and paid coach)

The soccer classic soccer programs are really not that expensive. Compared to racing cars for example, where each weekend is a few thousand.