Today I sent this e-mail to Alan Hough, Director of the Girls DA for Orlando City/Pride. For obvious reasons I sent it anonymously. I will share his response if he answers and consents:
Dear Mr. Hough,
In February 2016 I wrote to voice my concerns about OC's plans to offer both GDA and ECNL programs. At the time you chose not to address those concerns, stating that the club had other priorities including implementation of the birth year change. Fair enough. But now, with tryouts less than a month away, it seems appropriate to re-visit the concerns that still exist and share some new ones.
1. Talent dilution: Since OC intends to offer both GDA and ECNL, how will you avoid watering down the talent between two top teams at each age group, making them less competitive vs clubs that concentrate on one top team per age? If your answer is that new elite players will come from surrounding clubs, can you explain why those players are not already on OC's ECNL teams and why they would change their minds now?
2. GDA program cost: The Web is full of vague and conflicting information on whether GDA will be "fully funded", "cost-free", or just "funded". Terminology aside, please provide specific information on exactly what costs will be covered by the club and what will be passed on to the players' families
3. Scholarships: Please share the criteria for being awarded a partial or full GDA scholarship. We need confirmation that the process will be fair and unbiased, and not used as a recruiting tool for the most coveted players who may be fully able to pay.
4. High School soccer: If it is allowed, what assurance can you offer the players deciding to play for their school that there will be no repercussions upon their return? If a majority decide to play High School, what is the plan for the keeping remaining GDA team viable? If HS is not allowed, have you assessed how many will decline their GDA offers as a result of that decision?
5. Coaching: USSF stresses the importance of A-licensed coaches. Do you have a full complement of coaches meeting that requirement without sacrificing coaching quality on the ECNL and Purple teams? How many A-licensed coaches have been added to your staff to prepare for the 2017-2018 season?
Your answers will influence the choice of club next season for my family and many others in central Florida. Unfortunately I am unable to make your Sunday 1pm meeting, but I am certain many of the people attending have the same questions. Whether or not you choose to respond to me directly, I urge you to cover these topics at the meeting. This is a prime opportunity for you to correct any misinformation and set the record straight on the club’s position.
The online community is aware I have sent this message to you, and I intend to share your response online unless you specifically request otherwise.
Regards,
A Concerned Soccer Parent
Dear Mr. Hough,
In February 2016 I wrote to voice my concerns about OC's plans to offer both GDA and ECNL programs. At the time you chose not to address those concerns, stating that the club had other priorities including implementation of the birth year change. Fair enough. But now, with tryouts less than a month away, it seems appropriate to re-visit the concerns that still exist and share some new ones.
1. Talent dilution: Since OC intends to offer both GDA and ECNL, how will you avoid watering down the talent between two top teams at each age group, making them less competitive vs clubs that concentrate on one top team per age? If your answer is that new elite players will come from surrounding clubs, can you explain why those players are not already on OC's ECNL teams and why they would change their minds now?
2. GDA program cost: The Web is full of vague and conflicting information on whether GDA will be "fully funded", "cost-free", or just "funded". Terminology aside, please provide specific information on exactly what costs will be covered by the club and what will be passed on to the players' families
3. Scholarships: Please share the criteria for being awarded a partial or full GDA scholarship. We need confirmation that the process will be fair and unbiased, and not used as a recruiting tool for the most coveted players who may be fully able to pay.
4. High School soccer: If it is allowed, what assurance can you offer the players deciding to play for their school that there will be no repercussions upon their return? If a majority decide to play High School, what is the plan for the keeping remaining GDA team viable? If HS is not allowed, have you assessed how many will decline their GDA offers as a result of that decision?
5. Coaching: USSF stresses the importance of A-licensed coaches. Do you have a full complement of coaches meeting that requirement without sacrificing coaching quality on the ECNL and Purple teams? How many A-licensed coaches have been added to your staff to prepare for the 2017-2018 season?
Your answers will influence the choice of club next season for my family and many others in central Florida. Unfortunately I am unable to make your Sunday 1pm meeting, but I am certain many of the people attending have the same questions. Whether or not you choose to respond to me directly, I urge you to cover these topics at the meeting. This is a prime opportunity for you to correct any misinformation and set the record straight on the club’s position.
The online community is aware I have sent this message to you, and I intend to share your response online unless you specifically request otherwise.
Regards,
A Concerned Soccer Parent
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