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**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 08:57 AM

What does she want?

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My D's goal is one, to play on an NPL team (not interested in ECNL or GDA even if she could make one, which I'm not sure she ever would anyway, but I can't handle the cost and time). Two, because she's young, only a U12, keep options open for the future because she's just too young to know if HS is her end game or there's opportunity beyond, or if she is going to be interested 5 years from now. For now, soccer is her favorite thing and has been since she was tiny.

This is the first year her club pools girls for a top level team. She was invited to their id clinic but didn't receive an offer. This was also her first year in the club. All in all she didn't do too bad for her first year and was a solid contributer.

I'm not sure if we stick with her club another year or pull back. Thinking of going with a smaller club that plays in NSL and doing winter training to work on her technical skills and then having her try out for an NPL team again in the spring.

My reason is that I don't like her current NEP club's regional team that she's on. I won't get into specifics. I don't want to jump to another NEP club when the NPL team at her current club, not the regional, might be a possibility, but I also don't want to stick with the regional for another season. Other option would be moving her to the main location this season on an NEP team and hopefully she gets moved to NPL the following year.

I don't plan on paying $2500 long term for NEP. If she's not able to make NPL in another year we'll go back to a small club where she can just play the game she loves.
Any thoughts?

If she and you definitely don�t want to stick with her current regional team, then I would have a discussion about other options that work for you (money and travel wise) and start contacting those coaches to go check out a few practices. Maybe they are NEP teams, maybe they are NSL, but you should make sure they are a fit across the board and you like the coach. If your daughter doesn�t make the NPL team at current club, at least you guys have some realistic options to choose from. And yes, you should be considering what SHE wants, but within reason. If its a money and travel issue for you or your family, then you have to give her the parameters that she can work within.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

What does she want?

She wants to play wherever she is going to get better to give her the best chance at making an NPL team a year from now. She doesn't care if she leaves her current club or stays. Just wants to play wherever she can learn the most. Neither of us care what letters are attached to that league for next season. It's a year to improve first and foremost.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 09:22 AM

I would add to the above advice that if she doesn't make her goal team this year that doesn't mean she might not next year. Lots of things happen with girls at this age with puberty, changing interests, moves to higher level teams etc. She is still young enough that her path isn't set in stone at this point. Some extra effort on her part can help make a big difference as well. If a player really wants something they should be willing to put in the effort.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I would add to the above advice that if she doesn't make her goal team this year that doesn't mean she might not next year. Lots of things happen with girls at this age with puberty, changing interests, moves to higher level teams etc. She is still young enough that her path isn't set in stone at this point. Some extra effort on her part can help make a big difference as well. If a player really wants something they should be willing to put in the effort.

Absolutely. We are just looking for a place that will help that effort count for maximum results. I am not a soccer player but I am really proud of the work she did this year. Came in from outside the club to work her way up to a spot on the regional team's A team, started every game and was a top scorer. I think she just needs another year to work on some of those technical skills the other kids were working on when they were younger.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Absolutely. We are just looking for a place that will help that effort count for maximum results. I am not a soccer player but I am really proud of the work she did this year. Came in from outside the club to work her way up to a spot on the regional team's A team, started every game and was a top scorer. I think she just needs another year to work on some of those technical skills the other kids were working on when they were younger.

A 6th grader knows about NPL, ECNL, and DA? Oh my.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

A 6th grader knows about NPL, ECNL, and DA? Oh my.

Yup. As do 75% of the girls on her team. Which is why "the girls are more interested in Pokemon" posts are so silly.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My D's goal is one, to play on an NPL team (not interested in ECNL or GDA even if she could make one, which I'm not sure she ever would anyway, but I can't handle the cost and time). Two, because she's young, only a U12, keep options open for the future because she's just too young to know if HS is her end game or there's opportunity beyond, or if she is going to be interested 5 years from now. For now, soccer is her favorite thing and has been since she was tiny.

This is the first year her club pools girls for a top level team. She was invited to their id clinic but didn't receive an offer. This was also her first year in the club. All in all she didn't do too bad for her first year and was a solid contributer.

I'm not sure if we stick with her club another year or pull back. Thinking of going with a smaller club that plays in NSL and doing winter training to work on her technical skills and then having her try out for an NPL team again in the spring.

My reason is that I don't like her current NEP club's regional team that she's on. I won't get into specifics. I don't want to jump to another NEP club when the NPL team at her current club, not the regional, might be a possibility, but I also don't want to stick with the regional for another season. Other option would be moving her to the main location this season on an NEP team and hopefully she gets moved to NPL the following year.

I don't plan on paying $2500 long term for NEP. If she's not able to make NPL in another year we'll go back to a small club where she can just play the game she loves.
Any thoughts?

My daughter followed a similar path to what you describe. She is older than your daughter. For what it's worth she always wanted to train at the fastest speed of play, even choosing teams where she knew she wouldn't start. Her philosophy was that practicing for 10 months with faster kids would force her to work harder to measure up. That has worked well for her so far. Good luck.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 07:47 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Yup. As do 75% of the girls on her team. Which is why "the girls are more interested in Pokemon" posts are so silly.

I�m calling BS on you. An 11/12 year old knows about NPL, DA, ECNL, and NEP only because of mommy/daddy obsessing over premiere level soccer and allowing that obsession to permeate and dominate every aspect of their lives.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I�m calling BS on you. An 11/12 year old knows about NPL, DA, ECNL, and NEP only because of mommy/daddy obsessing over premiere level soccer and allowing that obsession to permeate and dominate every aspect of their lives.

My 11 year old is well aware of the leagues and what her goals are. She has taught us, not the other way around. Some kids do have a love of the game and admire older players in their club and on college teams. Do all 11 year olds know this? No. But some do. And it�s not bull****.

**Unregistered** · 05-22-2018, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I�m calling BS on you. An 11/12 year old knows about NPL, DA, ECNL, and NEP only because of mommy/daddy obsessing over premiere level soccer and allowing that obsession to permeate and dominate every aspect of their lives.

My daughter played NPL at 12. Of course kids know. If they are on a top team at a big club, they are told by parents, coaches, and teammates about NPL, ECNL, etc. tryouts. Do you think kids don't ask where their teammates are trying out next year?

**Unregistered** · 05-23-2018, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My daughter played NPL at 12. Of course kids know. If they are on a top team at a big club, they are told by parents, coaches, and teammates about NPL, ECNL, etc. tryouts. Do you think kids don't ask where their teammates are trying out next year?

Another chiming in to confirm teens talk! They know what's going on with all of it, despite the constant changes. They have friends at other clubs, their friends have friends at other clubs, leagues. My kid knew more about her team's comings and goings long before most of the parents did. I know everyone tells parents not to say anything to anybody, and I do think that's generally good advice because some parents are friggin' nuts. If you know a few parents you trust that's different. Main thing is if the coach gets wind that your player is trying out elsewhere do you have to worry about their reaction?

**Unregistered** · 05-23-2018, 06:01 AM

My kid just wants to play,cares little about who stays ,leaves or leagues.Thats all on parents.

**Unregistered** · 05-23-2018, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Another chiming in to confirm teens talk! They know what's going on with all of it, despite the constant changes. They have friends at other clubs, their friends have friends at other clubs, leagues. My kid knew more about her team's comings and goings long before most of the parents did. I know everyone tells parents not to say anything to anybody, and I do think that's generally good advice because some parents are friggin' nuts. If you know a few parents you trust that's different. Main thing is if the coach gets wind that your player is trying out elsewhere do you have to worry about their reaction?

Was involved in club soccer as a parent for 15+ years. Rarely had to worry about the coaches reaction ( just never picked the sort that was an issue ). The bigger issue was the other parents. They could be brutal.

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