How do you fix Vancouver Soccer ?

[Unregistered]

OMG!!!!!!
the quote above is exactly what is wrong with soccer in the PDX area. Please tell me you are kidding.

Do you really think that every kid playing soccer wants or needs to be "developed"? I'm sure some just want to have fun for a few years and get some exercise but are too athletic to get much out of rec soccer. Why not let them play and win before they quit?

[Unregistered]

Then the TA girls teams are a perfect fit!

Do you really think that every kid playing soccer wants or needs to be "developed"? I'm sure some just want to have fun for a few years and get some exercise but are too athletic to get much out of rec soccer. Why not let them play and win before they quit?

I have nothing against players who want to run around and get exercise. I have a problem with the PARNETS of those kids who think their player deserves more time on the pitch than the players who are taking their game seriously and have higher goals.

I also have a problem with the DOC's of those clubs who pay lip service to development and or possession soccer and then allow boot ball to define their teams/club and in the process trap talented kids in a subpar program.

[Unregistered]

I have nothing against players who want to run around and get exercise. I have a problem with the PARNETS of those kids who think their player deserves more time on the pitch than the players who are taking their game seriously and have higher goals.

I also have a problem with the DOC's of those clubs who pay lip service to development and or possession soccer and then allow boot ball to define their teams/club and in the process trap talented kids in a subpar program.

Hence the need for different levels of soccer: rec, select, premier. The select level is very much missing in Oregon: reasonable costs playing teams of similar ability in the summer and fall only (so multisport athletes can do other things). Of course, there isn't as much money to made by the clubs so they tell everyone they are "premier" and charge them for something they don't need or want - year round development.

[Unregistered]

Hence the need for different levels of soccer: rec, select, premier. The select level is very much missing in Oregon: reasonable costs playing teams of similar ability in the summer and fall only (so multisport athletes can do other things). Of course, there isn't as much money to made by the clubs so they tell everyone they are "premier" and charge them for something they don't need or want - year round development.

So true. The select level of competition has a lot of benefits for multi-sport athletes who
enjoy playing soccer solely for the sport and not aspirations of playing college or going pro.

Playing in Division 5 of the Oregon "PREMIER" League doesn't make you premier.

[Unregistered]

Different strokes for different folks. There is nothing inherently wrong with focusing on winning at the young ages. Most of these kids won't even be playing by U15 anyways so why not let them have some fun and win some trophies while they're young? As long as they don't try to sell the program as a "development" program all is good. Of course, it's harder to get the high fees if you actually admit that you're not really teaching the kids anything and are just aggregating talent to get wins...

Spoken like a true W-T-F-C parent...except for the part about getting wins.

[Unregistered]

Exactly the reason for a PROFESSIONAL Exe Dir

Yeah, F em all. Most of us are only in this for 5 or 6 years max. First year you are a virgin to it all. Second year, you figure out the club is f'd up. Third year, you switch clubs. Fourth year, you are getting burnt out. Five and six years, you just hang on. Once your kid "graduates", you don't give a rats a**. I've seen it over an over.

The ones who care the most about the system are those getting paid by it. 5 or more at WT-FC. Their number one goal is NOT your kid. What the F do they care if your kid makes it, they get nothing from that. They care only about milking the system as best they can. Make some money, don't get fired, survive to the next season.

Your observation about the transitory nature and self interest of Boards of Directors is EXACTLY why clubs that are considered PROEFSSIONAL have outside Executive Directors AND board members who do NOT have kids in the club.

The First step for the Vancouver timbers would be to recruit at least TWO Board members who do not have kids in the club and share a vision for a more professional and STABLE organization to carry out the mission.

There are numerous retired persons with time on their hands that have the back ground to help make the transition.

[Unregistered]

Ugh... I hope BSC doesn't merge with any Vantucky teams. When my dd's team plays BSC, BSC attempts to play soccer, not boot ball, intentional fouling, diving, bitching to the refs....

Merge with any vantucky club and the crap will seep in, slowly but surely.

Fantastic assessment! I see the same thing. Anyone that merges with SCFC is doomed! Its like the worst of ***C all rolled into one fine little package.

[Unregistered]

Fantastic assessment! I see the same thing. Anyone that merges with SCFC is doomed! Its like the worst of ***C all rolled into one fine little package.

Some in Vancouver would argue that it's the BEST of WT_FC rolled into one fine little package. I'm not sure they are that far off base...