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Is FC STARS of MA getting too impersonal?

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    Is FC STARS of MA getting too impersonal?

    As a parent who has been around FC STARS of MA a long time, I don't like what I see both on the boys and girls side. I have been a STARS supporter for many years with 2 kids now in college and 2 kids still in the club.

    The ECNL level is the only one that seems to matter now. The rest of the teams exist to subsidize those teams. The coaching staff has seriously deteriorated. I have heard many parents complain that their team coach often is not at their games and practices on a regular basis. They send other coaches who don't know the kids. They have introduced a new level of assistant coaches who again, don't know the kids. The teams that need the most support get the worst coaches.

    The lack of communication with parents by the club and coaches has also eroded. You feel more like a number than you do a valued club member. The favoritism is rampant! If you are one of the chosen few, you get to play up and on several teams. It is very noticeable. Some kids get private training with their own coach which is supposed to be a "no-no." Exceptions are made for certain kids. I know life isn't always fair but I think the pendulum has really swung too far with STARS.

    So tell me, is this just me or do you see the same thing?

    Thank you for your thoughtful response.

    #2
    Sounds like Scorpions

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
      As a parent who has been around FC STARS of MA a long time, I don't like what I see both on the boys and girls side. I have been a STARS supporter for many years with 2 kids now in college and 2 kids still in the club.

      The ECNL level is the only one that seems to matter now. The rest of the teams exist to subsidize those teams. The coaching staff has seriously deteriorated. I have heard many parents complain that their team coach often is not at their games and practices on a regular basis. They send other coaches who don't know the kids. They have introduced a new level of assistant coaches who again, don't know the kids. The teams that need the most support get the worst coaches.

      The lack of communication with parents by the club and coaches has also eroded. You feel more like a number than you do a valued club member. The favoritism is rampant! If you are one of the chosen few, you get to play up and on several teams. It is very noticeable. Some kids get private training with their own coach which is supposed to be a "no-no." Exceptions are made for certain kids. I know life isn't always fair but I think the pendulum has really swung too far with STARS.

      So tell me, is this just me or do you see the same thing?

      Thank you for your thoughtful response.
      I give you credit BTDT. At least with this new thread (is this your 6th or 7th in the last 3 days?), you are not wasting time or dancing around and are just going straight for the jugular. Have you stepped away from you computer today to even have a snack?

      Comment


        #4
        Wasn't there something earlier today about who the real King of fictions is? Exhibit 7,463.

        Comment


          #5
          Welcome to the STARS!! you are only as good as the new player being recruited!! I have been with the club for 2 years and have yet to see the infamous D of C. STARS will follow the cycle of having too many teams and lack of quality coaches, you know the ones that NEFC will draw away for $250 more in their contract!! What I do know is that my tuition is paying for a brand new facility that the elite teams of the club will be using!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
            Welcome to the STARS!! you are only as good as the new player being recruited!! I have been with the club for 2 years and have yet to see the infamous D of C. STARS will follow the cycle of having too many teams and lack of quality coaches, you know the ones that NEFC will draw away for $250 more in their contract!! What I do know is that my tuition is paying for a brand new facility that the elite teams of the club will be using!
            Get some sleep buddy.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
              As a parent who has been around FC STARS of MA a long time, I don't like what I see both on the boys and girls side. I have been a STARS supporter for many years with 2 kids now in college and 2 kids still in the club.

              The ECNL level is the only one that seems to matter now. The rest of the teams exist to subsidize those teams. The coaching staff has seriously deteriorated. I have heard many parents complain that their team coach often is not at their games and practices on a regular basis. They send other coaches who don't know the kids. They have introduced a new level of assistant coaches who again, don't know the kids. The teams that need the most support get the worst coaches.

              The lack of communication with parents by the club and coaches has also eroded. You feel more like a number than you do a valued club member. The favoritism is rampant! If you are one of the chosen few, you get to play up and on several teams. It is very noticeable. Some kids get private training with their own coach which is supposed to be a "no-no." Exceptions are made for certain kids. I know life isn't always fair but I think the pendulum has really swung too far with STARS.

              So tell me, is this just me or do you see the same thing?

              Thank you for your thoughtful response.
              On a more serious note, we have been with STARS for 2 years. We have been kind of shocked that the coaching staff gets switched as much as it does. I am sure JD doesn't bring in an assistant to coach his team. This seems to happen at the under 13 level. As parents, we all feel like we can't complain or the club will brand us as a "problem family" and we surely will not be invited back next year. It is a hard position to be in. Our team coach is just okay. He is more like a "big" kid. He is often late and we question his commitment.. I am sure he is juggling a few teams...

              It does seem like the focus is on the ECNL teams and the rest of us are fodder...

              There is favoritism for sure...but I think that exists every where in life. Just MHO

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                Get some sleep buddy.
                You are right... they need to bring in more bodies to fund the fields and all the other stuff... I still can't figure out why they keep sending parents emails about storage containers and architects... They are so unprofessional! Find them yourself-- haven't you sucked enough out of the parents... In the end, we will pay for it one way or another....

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                  On a more serious note, we have been with STARS for 2 years. We have been kind of shocked that the coaching staff gets switched as much as it does. I am sure JD doesn't bring in an assistant to coach his team. This seems to happen at the under 13 level. As parents, we all feel like we can't complain or the club will brand us as a "problem family" and we surely will not be invited back next year. It is a hard position to be in. Our team coach is just okay. He is more like a "big" kid. He is often late and we question his commitment.. I am sure he is juggling a few teams...

                  It does seem like the focus is on the ECNL teams and the rest of us are fodder...

                  There is favoritism for sure...but I think that exists every where in life. Just MHO
                  Revision of original fiction, take 2. If you're not going to get some sleep, have another drink so we can see some truly dramatic dissembling. Or let Suzie take a few rips.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Of course they are impersonal, they have an ECNL spot. That being said most of the mega-clubs are impersonal. Welcome to youth soccer.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      On a more serious note, we have been with STARS for 2 years. We have been kind of shocked that the coaching staff gets switched as much as it does. I am sure JD doesn't bring in an assistant to coach his team. This seems to happen at the under 13 level. As parents, we all feel like we can't complain or the club will brand us as a "problem family" and we surely will not be invited back next year. It is a hard position to be in. Our team coach is just okay. He is more like a "big" kid. He is often late and we question his commitment.. I am sure he is juggling a few teams...

                      It does seem like the focus is on the ECNL teams and the rest of us are fodder...

                      There is favoritism for sure...but I think that exists every where in life. Just MHO
                      I think it is sad to see what is happening to a once great club. Over the years, STARS has had some great coaches who have left. It surely has turned into a big business where bodies are counted and dollars received. For those of you out their buying player passes for $800 and paying $75-$80/hour for private, one-on-one coaching, it's a joke. Why don't you ask the club how many of those who were privately coached dropped down a level or were cut from the club last year? I think we would all be shocked at how those sessions are just lining the coaches pockets. Did you ever go to one of the clinics? What a joke! Daddy DB takes his babies in a carriage or has is 2 year old running around... do you think he is watching your kid? Hardly...And this is the guy heading up the younger girls...

                      My point is that once upon a time, when GC and JD started STARS, they cared about the kids and took great pride in watching the kids develop and the teams do well. We all long for the good, ole STARS days....

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                        Of course they are impersonal, they have an ECNL spot. That being said most of the mega-clubs are impersonal. Welcome to youth soccer.
                        "Welcome to the machine". It is a business. A "non-profit" for tax purposes but a business, if you can't help the mega club further their brand, by winning and attracting the next crop of nubees, they will replace you.

                        This goes for all of the big clubs. To quote another classic,...."I was using her, she was using me and neither one cared, we were getting our share", it takes two willing participants to make this relationship work. When it gets one sided things go sideways. Ugly but true.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                          "Welcome to the machine". It is a business. A "non-profit" for tax purposes but a business, if you can't help the mega club further their brand, by winning and attracting the next crop of nubees, they will replace you.

                          This goes for all of the big clubs. To quote another classic,...."I was using her, she was using me and neither one cared, we were getting our share", it takes two willing participants to make this relationship work. When it gets one sided things go sideways. Ugly but true.
                          Well it doesn't feel like a relationship of equals.... the have not respect for parents and players... values are at the core of every club, business and relationship.... they seem to be missing here... just chasing JD's dreams.....

                          Comment


                            #14
                            We are a STARS WEST family, and we are very happy with the club. Our daughter benefits from the best of both worlds...mega club opportunities with satellite club personal attention.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                              Well it doesn't feel like a relationship of equals.... the have not respect for parents and players... values are at the core of every club, business and relationship.... they seem to be missing here... just chasing JD's dreams.....
                              It isn't equal. Unless your kid is an NT level player. If not, no matter how they treat you, either you accept it or they replace you with another who is willing. If the player and parent think they are getting what they need (exposure, recruting opportunities) they stay. If not they leave, and the next doe eyed recruit walks in the door. Rinse. Repeat.

                              Comment

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