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    Black Rock

    Someone in the 2017 commitments thread said they have a son in this program and offered to say more about it if an appropriate thread was created. Here it is! Fire away!

    #2
    They were a small club that catered to prep school athletes. Had a little niche and was very effective. Unfortunately they have sold out and will join GPS. It is always like GPS to go ahead and ruin a good thing by taking it over.

    Comment


      #3
      Not too sure about the whole history, this is our first year. Wouldn't even go as far as the poster above and call it a 'club' since its just a few teams in the boy's recruiting age group, no u-littles, girls, etc. It is drawn by invite from about 7 prep schools - Berkshire, Taft, Avon, So Kent, Salisbury, Hotchkiss, Loomis with enough to field maybe three teams. They took two team's worth down to IMG in Fla in December.

      They are practicing Wed and Sunday in NW CT for now indoors, and will have gym sessions on another night. They will be doing showcase tournaments, some private showcases, and playing friendlies with academy clubs or colleges depending on the age groups. I think they will play a league in the spring as well as tournaments. (NPL?)

      The head coach was the former coach of Berkshire. They are seemingly affiliated with GPS this year, but the involvement was basically using their online registration system for the sign ups. Besides their patch on the shirt, I've seen little evidence of a "takeover".

      I guess it would be convenient if your son was at one of those schools, as the kids can work together to get to practices and games. They are understanding that school comes first. I like that it is all pretty high level kids. Without having as much as a gotsoccer profile, they get into high brackets in showcase tournaments. Also, there is quite a healthy mix of international students on the teams. My son knew various kids on other prep school teams from former clubs, etc. this will allow him to meet and play with even more (helping back in the regular season! )

      Comment


        #4
        If you are on varsity at one of the schools mentioned, could you play for Black Rock? Or do you have to be one of the top 5 players? Are the 3 teams different ages? (Or mixed ages with some playing up?).

        I was the poster on the other thread. My son is applying to some of those schools and a couple of the coaches told us about Black Rock implying it might be an option for him.

        Comment


          #5
          I wouldn't ask here online. Contact Moodey, address included at bottom of the following GPS announcement.

          http://www.gps-massachusetts.com/new...rer_id=1653046

          My son, now in college, played at Berkshire and the early Black Rock team a few years ago. Coach Moodey recruited amazing players, and was smart enough to let them express themselves all over the field. He didn't shackle players, like most U.S. coaches. And he kept the club game in perspective and made sure the players fulfilled their other commitments. The style and level of play was vastly different from my kids previous club and even current college team. If your son is skillful and talented enough to play at Berkshire or Black Rock, I highly recommend it. Great school and great experience.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
            If you are on varsity at one of the schools mentioned, could you play for Black Rock? Or do you have to be one of the top 5 players? Are the 3 teams different ages? (Or mixed ages with some playing up?).

            I was the poster on the other thread. My son is applying to some of those schools and a couple of the coaches told us about Black Rock implying it might be an option for him.
            The teams are going to be sorted by age. They are all practicing together. I mentioned that two teams went to IMG, one played in the "super group", which was basically U19 and played against some international teams and academy, and the USMNT U17s were in the other bracket. The other team played in the top flight U19 bracket, but the kids that went were in various age groups. Obviously, not everyone could drop everything and get to Fla. with so little notice.

            Everyone is from varsity. No idea how deep in the roster they come from. From the invitations to the final teams, I'd have to imaging that not everyone asked (especially seniors or already committed players) would feel the need to spend additional $$ to be on a showcase team.

            I would certainly ask the coach. I doubt the door is closed on the opportunity. There are a few 2020's on the roster. There will be a team with younger members.

            And thanks to the poster above me. I think he is one that I talked to when I was researching this opportunity, and I'm glad we listened to him!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
              Someone in the 2017 commitments thread said they have a son in this program and offered to say more about it if an appropriate thread was created. Here it is! Fire away!
              Black Cock?

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                Black Cock?
                Seems like an odd request for this thread, but...
                Here you go

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                  The teams are going to be sorted by age. They are all practicing together. I mentioned that two teams went to IMG, one played in the "super group", which was basically U19 and played against some international teams and academy, and the USMNT U17s were in the other bracket. The other team played in the top flight U19 bracket, but the kids that went were in various age groups. Obviously, not everyone could drop everything and get to Fla. with so little notice.

                  Everyone is from varsity. No idea how deep in the roster they come from. From the invitations to the final teams, I'd have to imaging that not everyone asked (especially seniors or already committed players) would feel the need to spend additional $$ to be on a showcase team.

                  I would certainly ask the coach. I doubt the door is closed on the opportunity. There are a few 2020's on the roster. There will be a team with younger members.

                  And thanks to the poster above me. I think he is one that I talked to when I was researching this opportunity, and I'm glad we listened to him!
                  I watch them play during the IMG tournament. Fully outclassed whatever very annoying team mom wouldn't shut up during the entire match

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                    I watch them play during the IMG tournament. Fully outclassed whatever very annoying team mom wouldn't shut up during the entire match
                    Not sure I understand your post.

                    Which age group? Were you there? Who was the team mom? The other team?
                    Please restate with more clarity, please! : -)

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      Not sure I understand your post.

                      Which age group? Were you there? Who was the team mom? The other team?
                      Please restate with more clarity, please! : -)
                      The team to play Tottenham Hotspur's in the supergroup
                      Yes I was there.
                      How am I supposed to know the team mom? She needs to learn how to quietly watch

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                        The team to play Tottenham Hotspur's in the supergroup
                        Yes I was there.
                        How am I supposed to know the team mom? She needs to learn how to quietly watch
                        Thanks for attempting to clarify. It's clear English is not your native language, so we'll leave it at that.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                          Not too sure about the whole history, this is our first year. Wouldn't even go as far as the poster above and call it a 'club' since its just a few teams in the boy's recruiting age group, no u-littles, girls, etc. It is drawn by invite from about 7 prep schools - Berkshire, Taft, Avon, So Kent, Salisbury, Hotchkiss, Loomis with enough to field maybe three teams. They took two team's worth down to IMG in Fla in December.

                          They are practicing Wed and Sunday in NW CT for now indoors, and will have gym sessions on another night. They will be doing showcase tournaments, some private showcases, and playing friendlies with academy clubs or colleges depending on the age groups. I think they will play a league in the spring as well as tournaments. (NPL?)

                          The head coach was the former coach of Berkshire. They are seemingly affiliated with GPS this year, but the involvement was basically using their online registration system for the sign ups. Besides their patch on the shirt, I've seen little evidence of a "takeover".

                          I guess it would be convenient if your son was at one of those schools, as the kids can work together to get to practices and games. They are understanding that school comes first. I like that it is all pretty high level kids. Without having as much as a gotsoccer profile, they get into high brackets in showcase tournaments. Also, there is quite a healthy mix of international students on the teams. My son knew various kids on other prep school teams from former clubs, etc. this will allow him to meet and play with even more (helping back in the regular season! )
                          Any idea if this club would take players not affiliated with any private school?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                            Any idea if this club would take players not affiliated with any private school?
                            I don't know. That's sort of the raison d'etre of the team, so maybe questionable.
                            Of course, clubs always have different motivations and might want or need more players.
                            Someone posted a link to a press release, that had the coach's email address on it.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                              I watch them play during the IMG tournament. Fully outclassed whatever very annoying team mom wouldn't shut up during the entire match
                              Blackrock was OK when it was run by Manhattan Soccer Club. This is now run by Moodey and his lack of coaching ability (he can recruit BUT not coach!)is transparent as well as NO quality Berkshire players are on the team. Now Mohammad is out.....

                              Comment

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