Is NEFC just a big business that has gotten too big with too many teams?

[Unregistered]

Just me, or do others see the same thing?

What is the value of being on a NEFC #5 or #6 squad in an age group? What quality of coach do you get with those squads? Is there something like an IDP offered for all of those kids?

Candid responses appreciated.

[Unregistered]

This should be interested. I think the quality gets worse as you drop from A team to D team. The IDP is available to all players. Is NEFC any different from other clubs?

[Unregistered]

Think of NEFC, Stars, GPS, or Breakers as the Red Sox.

The Red Sox have a huge organization, Farm system comprised of hundreds of players. They play A, AA, AAA. Gulf Coast League, Extended Spring Training, Rookie Ball. Mexican League, Dominican League etc. etc. etc.

The Red Sox have their core group of players and based on their needs, they either promote from within if the player is good enough or they get the player from another team. The Big League team gets the most focus and resources, the farm teams get a lot less. Once you are good enough to make the Majors you then have to play well enough to stay there.

Sometimes other teams may value you more based on their needs. Sometimes you need to leave to get a chance with the top team on another club

Only the consumer can decide if being on a top team at a small club is better than being #3,4,5,or 6 on a big club. Promotion from within are pretty rare in club soccer, especially at the oder ages. Much more likely to see movement from club to club.

[Unregistered]

Think of NEFC, Stars, GPS, or Breakers as the Red Sox.

The Red Sox have a huge organization, Farm system comprised of hundreds of players. They play A, AA, AAA. Gulf Coast League, Extended Spring Training, Rookie Ball. Mexican League, Dominican League etc. etc. etc.

The Red Sox have their core group of players and based on their needs, they either promote from within if the player is good enough or they get the player from another team. The Big League team gets the most focus and resources, the farm teams get a lot less. Once you are good enough to make the Majors you then have to play well enough to stay there.

Sometimes other teams may value you more based on their needs. Sometimes you need to leave to get a chance with the top team on another club

Only the consumer can decide if being on a top team at a small club is better than being #3,4,5,or 6 on a big club. Promotion from within are pretty rare in club soccer, especially at the oder ages. Much more likely to see movement from club to club.

That is pretty much right although the problem lies within the pay to play model of club soccer and the evaluation of talent by the organization you are paying your son/daughter to play in. Everyone knows promoting players to top teams while others that are not promoted always causes dissent among players and families. A harsh reality of youth players rising to the top while others are left behind. Not easy for youth club soccer organizations to deal with but unfortunately it is a necessary evil. It is the same with Select hockey, AAU baseball and basketball. Talented players are id'd early and given opportunities to play with better competition, in better,more competitive leagues/tournaments and with same skillset teammates.

[Unregistered]

That is pretty much right although the problem lies within the pay to play model of club soccer and the evaluation of talent by the organization you are paying your son/daughter to play in. Everyone knows promoting players to top teams while others that are not promoted always causes dissent among players and families. A harsh reality of youth players rising to the top while others are left behind. Not easy for youth club soccer organizations to deal with but unfortunately it is a necessary evil. It is the same with Select hockey, AAU baseball and basketball. Talented players are id'd early and given opportunities to play with better competition, in better,more competitive leagues/tournaments and with same skillset teammates.

Looks like NEFC has adopted the GPS model. The basic reality is that if you don't want the heartache, have your kids play rec/town soccer where participation and fun is what drives that system.This can be very cruel for sensitive young players. Not for everybody.

[Unregistered]

How do players on NEFC E and F teams get opportunities with IDP?

Clearly IDP looks like a reactive marketing scam with little meat on the bone in reality.

Sure, it sounds great for my 15 year old to train and play with U17 and U18 players but how does it help her when the standout U12 and U13 players are there? Is there an actual IDP team, and do they play other IDP teams in the region?

[Unregistered]

Just me, or do others see the same thing?

What is the value of being on a NEFC #5 or #6 squad in an age group? What quality of coach do you get with those squads? Is there something like an IDP offered for all of those kids?

Candid responses appreciated.

When a soccer club fields many teams, the knock on them immediately is that they are a youth soccer factory or " just a big business" intent on taking your money etc etc.. The reality is that the different skill levels of their teams gives players opportunity to get promoted, get better, work harder and may in fact, establish the pressure to achieve, to make that " top team" and it's a good thing. Rather than staying in a small club and just playing within their age group and only filling a spot because one was available this season.

[Unregistered]

Think of NEFC, Stars, GPS, or Breakers as the Red Sox.

The Red Sox have a huge organization, Farm system comprised of hundreds of players. They play A, AA, AAA. Gulf Coast League, Extended Spring Training, Rookie Ball. Mexican League, Dominican League etc. etc. etc.

The Red Sox have their core group of players and based on their needs, they either promote from within if the player is good enough or they get the player from another team. The Big League team gets the most focus and resources, the farm teams get a lot less. Once you are good enough to make the Majors you then have to play well enough to stay there.

Sometimes other teams may value you more based on their needs. Sometimes you need to leave to get a chance with the top team on another club

Only the consumer can decide if being on a top team at a small club is better than being #3,4,5,or 6 on a big club. Promotion from within are pretty rare in club soccer, especially at the oder ages. Much more likely to see movement from club to club.

The analogy really doesn't work.

In a farm system players actually have been recruited because they have been viewed as having some potential. With NEFC, 85% or more of their total pool of players are on these teams merely for their value as a revenue stream. It's easy to say they provide IDP and college services for all of these other players because they know those aren't services they will never have to provide for the vast majority of the clientele. Often we have no idea who our coach is but they sure know how to find us when it comes time to collect the ever-rising fees. Seems like I'm writing another check every other day.

[Unregistered]

When a soccer club fields many teams, the knock on them immediately is that they are a youth soccer factory or " just a big business" intent on taking your money etc etc.. The reality is that the different skill levels of their teams gives players opportunity to get promoted, get better, work harder and may in fact, establish the pressure to achieve, to make that " top team" and it's a good thing. Rather than staying in a small club and just playing within their age group and only filling a spot because one was available this season.

While true, the parents must have realistic expectations. Beginning at around U12, if your child has been slotted for a lesser team, odds are not good that they will move up to the top team within that club. While it does happen, that movement is more the exception than the rule. All things being equal, the incumbent player usually gets the benefit of the doubt and clubs do fall for new additions from outside their club because 1) it is perceived that it will harm their competitor, and 2) they have more than likely seen the new player play against the top team and were impressed.

What I have never understood are the disgruntled parents who move their child to another club at a lower level than they were at their existing club. I've seen it happen a few times and think the parents are delusional after hearing that the new club will bring the kid in, evaluate them and then give them the opportunity to move up. That rarely if ever happens.

[Unregistered]

While true, the parents must have realistic expectations. Beginning at around U12, if your child has been slotted for a lesser team, odds are not good that they will move up to the top team within that club. While it does happen, that movement is more the exception than the rule. All things being equal, the incumbent player usually gets the benefit of the doubt and clubs do fall for new additions from outside their club because 1) it is perceived that it will harm their competitor, and 2) they have more than likely seen the new player play against the top team and were impressed.

What I have never understood are the disgruntled parents who move their child to another club at a lower level than they were at their existing club. I've seen it happen a few times and think the parents are delusional after hearing that the new club will bring the kid in, evaluate them and then give them the opportunity to move up. That rarely if ever happens.

Great post. Unfortunately I think it's a hard pill to swallow for many parents. Parents think their child has been misevaluated or will blossom soon when it's much more likely that their child will fall even further behind because the pace and competition are at a lower level. This is untold reality of youth soccer at this age.

[Unregistered]

The analogy really doesn't work.

In a farm system players actually have been recruited because they have been viewed as having some potential. With NEFC, 85% or more of their total pool of players are on these teams merely for their value as a revenue stream. It's easy to say they provide IDP and college services for all of these other players because they know those aren't services they will never have to provide for the vast majority of the clientele. Often we have no idea who our coach is but they sure know how to find us when it comes time to collect the ever-rising fees. Seems like I'm writing another check every other day.

I'm glad someone called bull**** on the Red Sox analogy.

If that's any indication, this thread is going to be highly entertaining. I'd like to thank the NEFC sycophants in advance.

[Unregistered]

In all seriousness, how is IDP coming along? How often does whatever they do happen, and what do they do? Are 12 and 13 year olds really being challenged by 16 and 17 year olds? How are the 17 year olds challenged? Are girls and boys mixed together? Are the parents already seeing dividends? Or is it mainly likely like some kind of wall of fame or employee of the week recognition?

[Unregistered]

The owners of Talking-Soccer respectfully request that all of the NEFC parents keep coming back to the site so they can keep their ad revenue going. Don't you guys just hate the Stars, did you read what they just wrote about you...

[Unregistered]

The owners of Talking-Soccer respectfully request that all of the NEFC parents keep coming back to the site so they can keep their ad revenue going. Don't you guys just hate the Stars, did you read what they just wrote about you...

BTDT, there really is something terribly wrong with you.

[Unregistered]

One place where the Stars are beating NEFC for sure is in page views. This thread is getting outpaced the Stars one by almost 3-1. Come on NEFC parents, you can do better than that!