ECNL and the truth

[Unregistered]

Great. That's fine. I'm not pushing ECNL on anyone. And I'm not justifying the cost. I'm just arguing against the request that the cost be subsidized for those who can't afford it.
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I wasn't given everything in life, I worked long and hard to achieve where I am.
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I'm not the offspring of a millionaire. My kids are.
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I didn't work hard so that I can support the slackers.

I hope you see the severe error in your logic. Either that or you suffer from schizophrenia...my sympathies (the above quote could just as well be read as an exchange of rebuttals). First, you're all for placement on the ECNL being based on financial resources over hard work, skill, and ability. Then, you champion achievement through hard work. Then, you applaud the fact that your kids are/will be "given everything in life." Then, you conclude by contradicting yourself again, as you already stated you're fine with ECNL being for those kids whose parents can by it for them. So essentially you are supporting the slackers; at least a number of them.

The players who are truly elite at u14-18 may have started with above average athleticism, but they are only "elite" because they worked there *****es off to get there. But you don't really want to reward hard work. You just want others to recognize your hard work and achievements. It says a lot that you equate support of hard working players to supporting their parents. In other words, you're imposing your perspective that your child's sporting achievements are about and for you. No one is asking for handouts. I truly love the game and want Oregon soccer to thrive and grow, especially in quality and professionalism. If ECNL propels Oregon in that direction, wonderful! I just don't see it, yet. The best soccer and players in the world come from clubs that are willing to find and support the best and hardest working talent (i.e. talent, skill, and tenacity based...financial ability irrelevant).

I don't have a player this concerns now, but the statement was entirely too transparent.

[Unregistered]

I hope you see the severe error in your logic. Either that or you suffer from schizophrenia...my sympathies (the above quote could just as well be read as an exchange of rebuttals). First, you're all for placement on the ECNL being based on financial resources over hard work, skill, and ability. Then, you champion achievement through hard work. Then, you applaud the fact that your kids are/will be "given everything in life." Then, you conclude by contradicting yourself again, as you already stated you're fine with ECNL being for those kids whose parents can by it for them. So essentially you are supporting the slackers; at least a number of them.

The players who are truly elite at u14-18 may have started with above average athleticism, but they are only "elite" because they worked there *****es off to get there. But you don't really want to reward hard work. You just want others to recognize your hard work and achievements. It says a lot that you equate support of hard working players to supporting their parents. In other words, you're imposing your perspective that your child's sporting achievements are about and for you. No one is asking for handouts. I truly love the game and want Oregon soccer to thrive and grow, especially in quality and professionalism. If ECNL propels Oregon in that direction, wonderful! I just don't see it, yet. The best soccer and players in the world come from clubs that are willing to find and support the best and hardest working talent (i.e. talent, skill, and tenacity based...financial ability irrelevant).

I don't have a player this concerns now, but the statement was entirely too transparent.

Well said!!!

[Unregistered]

No club in this area is blessed with an entire club full of stud coaches. Every club has their group of extremely good coaches. Those coaches tend to take multiple teams (usually 2-3 teams right now). I will be curious how many teams those coaches can continue to take and do a good job with if they are assigned a head coaching spot for ENCL. I am expecting ENCL teams to practice up to 4 times a week. Thats a lot of time dedicated to that ENCL team. That coach is going to e judged based on that team as well so their attention will be much more on that team than any other team they may be a part of. Without a huge influx of new quality coaches I'm not sure how the rest of their non-ENCL teams will improve their coaching? At best they will be the exact same in coaching as before.

One correction. Not every club as their group of extremely good coaches who tend to take multiple team. Very few clubs have extremely good coaches, although they will tell you otherwise.

[Unregistered]

Think of it differently

Sorry your kid has you and your minimum wage job as support. You should have studied more in school rather than running off to smoke pot. We aren't here to support you now. You have to put your big boy pants on.

Okay, while I am of the school that life is not fair, and just because you cannot afford something doesn't mean you are entitled to it, this is so offensive. Not long ago I was getting my oil changed at a Jiffy Lube. The guy that was helping me and commented on a old soccer sticker On my daughters car with my daughter's number on it and said his three kids love soccer but that they were not playing this Spring because he and his wife could not affford the $60 fee each for them to play rec more than once a year. It was humbling, I am sure that while people on here would say, "call the waaambulance" but it was not like that. It was a Dad who was sad he could not provide the ability for his kids to do something they loved. It was humbling, I am grateful that I am able to afford for my daughter to play competitive soccer since she loves doing it. However, I do not think it is okay to be rude or disrespectful, money is a real issue for many parents and it hurts. It is okay that they wish things for their kids was more affordable, even if it does not change reality. So YOU should put your big boy pants on and act human, because right now you just sound like a jack ass. And by the way, I would never judge this guy, he was nice and obviously was working hard to do best for his family, I do not know his circumstances or what his life has been like, so who am into judge him? And no one else should either.

[Unregistered]

Okay, while I am of the school that life is not fair, and just because you cannot afford something doesn't mean you are entitled to it, this is so offensive. Not long ago I was getting my oil changed at a Jiffy Lube. The guy that was helping me and commented on a old soccer sticker On my daughters car with my daughter's number on it and said his three kids love soccer but that they were not playing this Spring because he and his wife could not affford the $60 fee each for them to play rec more than once a year. It was humbling, I am sure that while people on here would say, "call the waaambulance" but it was not like that. It was a Dad who was sad he could not provide the ability for his kids to do something they loved. It was humbling, I am grateful that I am able to afford for my daughter to play competitive soccer since she loves doing it. However, I do not think it is okay to be rude or disrespectful, money is a real issue for many parents and it hurts. It is okay that they wish things for their kids was more affordable, even if it does not change reality. So YOU should put your big boy pants on and act human, because right now you just sound like a jack ass. And by the way, I would never judge this guy, he was nice and obviously was working hard to do best for his family, I do not know his circumstances or what his life has been like, so who am into judge him? And no one else should either.

Thank you for that perspective. Amen! Not everyone can be a doctor, lawyer, or etc. Also, this guy has a job that is supplying a legitimate service to people and isn't an easy one. I can completely relate to not being able to give my kids everything I would like because it's not in our budget. And I have a wonderful job in the healthcare industry that took a higher education and is very respected. It's not whining. I'm pretty sick of people who can't have empathy for others.

[Unregistered]

Both my wife and I have jobs which each pay well into the six figures. We live in one of the nicest neighborhoods in all of Portland and can afford to do pretty much whatever we want. But, even I find the financial elitism of today's youth sports to be ridiculous.

The very best athletes in the United States and around the world, in a majority landslide, do not come from families of great financial means. However, in sports like golf and tennis they do. Why, because money has kept the best athletes from competing in these sports.

Leagues like ECNL give high net worth individuals the feeling of control that pervades much of their lives. Money talks and they will buy their way into "athletic elitism". We could easily do this for our daughter and she is more than good enough to make those teams. But the whole idea of buying into greatness is false hope.

Good luck to all of these girls and especially those on the new ECNL teams. I feel sorry for the car rides many of you will have to endure with your crazy ass parents who are living vicariously through your athletic accomplishments.

[Unregistered]

Both my wife and I have jobs which each pay well into the six figures. We live in one of the nicest neighborhoods in all of Portland and can afford to do pretty much whatever we want. But, even I find the financial elitism of today's youth sports to be ridiculous.

The very best athletes in the United States and around the world, in a majority landslide, do not come from families of great financial means. However, in sports like golf and tennis they do. Why, because money has kept the best athletes from competing in these sports.

Leagues like ECNL give high net worth individuals the feeling of control that pervades much of their lives. Money talks and they will buy their way into "athletic elitism". We could easily do this for our daughter and she is more than good enough to make those teams. But the whole idea of buying into greatness is false hope.

Good luck to all of these girls and especially those on the new ECNL teams. I feel sorry for the car rides many of you will have to endure with your crazy ass parents who are living vicariously through your athletic accomplishments.

What do you expect? Do you think someone else should pay for your travel? The high cost is travel. It is not club fees or hidden costs. It is up front. Travel.

It will cost you to play on a team that travels to play better quality competition than you can find in your local leagues. If you don't want to pay or can't pay, continue playing with your local club in local leagues. There is nothing wrong with that either.