So far from the various posts, it is not so clear that the NEP has become the mecca of youth soccer that it claimed it would become....or at least, it isn't clear that it is very different from MAPLE.
There are, however, a number of things that NEP does a little better. First, it is a smaller league without the factory like mentality of MAPLE, which has the multiple divisions among the age groups. Quite frankly, any league with third and fourth divisions should just admit that they are in it for the money since none of these kids will play high school ball, much less college. This doesn't mean that NEP won't head in this direction. The claim of NEP is that they are going to control who comes in and prevent the huge dilution that has become of MAPLE. However, as the league expands, this remains to be seen. I have seen town younger town teams that could crush MAPLE and NEP teams.
Better Refs, Better fields......Better parents in the NEP?? Not necessarily. Clearly from the claims in these threads this is not the case. I have seen players plow into other kids without coming close to the ball and not get a call or anything like a card. I have seen offside by 10+ yards without an consideration from the Ref. I have seen tackles from behind with cleats pointing up and nothing called. The Refs at the younger ages are high schoolers who are starting out. There is one ref per game without a senior ref watching.
I certainly like the idea of development and the stress of learning........but for the kids. The Refs should be more professional or at least receive better guidance during the games.
The fields are not dirt-boxes but they aren't pristine turf fields either. They are no better or worse than MAPlE fields. Teams, at the younger ages (when development really counts) are scheduled back to back with no rest. Fine....then don't report the lopsided scores......or any scores for that matter........MAPLE doesn't. The off weekends, however, are very very nice as there does seem to be less emphasis on the actual scores and who is in first or second....at least at the younger ages. For the older ages, I imagine, with regard to State Cup play and Region 1 selection, it will matter more.
The inclusion of MCU Portland in Maine is just plain out stupid. I am not traveling to Portland Maine for any kind of one day event.
No, at this point, the NEP cannot claim to be more than a smaller MAPLE, which certainly has its pluses as MAPLE was becoming very dilute and very over-the-top. Certainly, the competitive level in the NEP is very very good.....possible as good as MAPLE. We will see in the Spring for the U13 and older groups. However, other NEP claims are not yet fulfilled. There is one thing that the NEP might be able to claim but it is something that the parents won't reallly see......it might be cheaper...
There are, however, a number of things that NEP does a little better. First, it is a smaller league without the factory like mentality of MAPLE, which has the multiple divisions among the age groups. Quite frankly, any league with third and fourth divisions should just admit that they are in it for the money since none of these kids will play high school ball, much less college. This doesn't mean that NEP won't head in this direction. The claim of NEP is that they are going to control who comes in and prevent the huge dilution that has become of MAPLE. However, as the league expands, this remains to be seen. I have seen town younger town teams that could crush MAPLE and NEP teams.
Better Refs, Better fields......Better parents in the NEP?? Not necessarily. Clearly from the claims in these threads this is not the case. I have seen players plow into other kids without coming close to the ball and not get a call or anything like a card. I have seen offside by 10+ yards without an consideration from the Ref. I have seen tackles from behind with cleats pointing up and nothing called. The Refs at the younger ages are high schoolers who are starting out. There is one ref per game without a senior ref watching.
I certainly like the idea of development and the stress of learning........but for the kids. The Refs should be more professional or at least receive better guidance during the games.
The fields are not dirt-boxes but they aren't pristine turf fields either. They are no better or worse than MAPlE fields. Teams, at the younger ages (when development really counts) are scheduled back to back with no rest. Fine....then don't report the lopsided scores......or any scores for that matter........MAPLE doesn't. The off weekends, however, are very very nice as there does seem to be less emphasis on the actual scores and who is in first or second....at least at the younger ages. For the older ages, I imagine, with regard to State Cup play and Region 1 selection, it will matter more.
The inclusion of MCU Portland in Maine is just plain out stupid. I am not traveling to Portland Maine for any kind of one day event.
No, at this point, the NEP cannot claim to be more than a smaller MAPLE, which certainly has its pluses as MAPLE was becoming very dilute and very over-the-top. Certainly, the competitive level in the NEP is very very good.....possible as good as MAPLE. We will see in the Spring for the U13 and older groups. However, other NEP claims are not yet fulfilled. There is one thing that the NEP might be able to claim but it is something that the parents won't reallly see......it might be cheaper...
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