April Heinrichs on Under-17 World Cup, Development Academy vs. ECNL and high school o

[Unregistered]

A recent Soccerwire survey showed over 70% of girl soccer players would not join a GDA program if it meant giving up high school soccer. I would argue that percentage is even higher among the players USSF actually wants, since outstanding players tend to make their high school teams outstanding, which usually translates into a pretty good HS experience.

If USSF only wants players who don't like high school soccer, they are setting the bar too low right from the start and GDA will fail even faster than some predict.

The biggest thing is always the initial transition of breaking up club teams like when ECNL first came into Florida only a few short years ago or the birth year mandate changes. There have been so many changes, what is one more?

[Unregistered]

The biggest thing is always the initial transition of breaking up club teams like when ECNL first came into Florida only a few short years ago or the birth year mandate changes. There have been so many changes, what is one more?

So you would tell this girl and her family that youth soccer is already so screwed up so why not screw it up some more? Your sales pitch gets an F.

I'm trying to make this simple. How do you convince this girl and hundreds like her to leave their current teams to join GDA? The fact that nobody can answer this doesn't bode well for the future of GDA.

[Unregistered]

A recent Soccerwire survey showed over 70% of girl soccer players would not join a GDA program if it meant giving up high school soccer. I would argue that percentage is even higher among the players USSF actually wants, since outstanding players tend to make their high school teams outstanding, which usually translates into a pretty good HS experience.

If USSF only wants players who don't like high school soccer, they are setting the bar too low right from the start and GDA will fail even faster than some predict.

This is just wrong. Top 5% percent players understand the challenge, and accepts and embrace it and have no problem not playing for their high school. They are looking at a bigger picture. I suggest you reach out to a actual top 50 D1 student/athlete and ask them that question. Most will say not to play HS. Ive asked this at the 7 ID camps at various top schools throughout mid atlantic states we went to in the last 12 months and ALL of the players asked said to forego HS!

[Unregistered]

This is just wrong. Top 5% percent players understand the challenge, and accepts and embrace it and have no problem not playing for their high school. They are looking at a bigger picture. I suggest you reach out to a actual top 50 D1 student/athlete and ask them that question. Most will say not to play HS. Ive asked this at the 7 ID camps at various top schools throughout mid atlantic states we went to in the last 12 months and ALL of the players asked said to forego HS!

Are you talking to girls or boys? Did you happen to look up the current WNT players to see how many played HS? Read Mallory Pugh's thoughts on this subject? Or Anson Dorrence's?

Again, I'm not talking about the top 50 prospects. No question there. I'm talking about the above average player who needs a little help to get recruited to college. If you think they all say it's OK to give up high school you're as deluded as USSF.

[Unregistered]

Boca United and Weston

The answer is much easier in South Florida.
For the above average or top players that have witnessed the last two horrible
seasons on display at Boca United and Weston they will opt to forgo GDA and remain at their respective clubs rather than be embarrassed at Boca or Weston.

It is criminal what has happened to the older teams at Boca and Weston.
The clubs have virtually abandoned those girls in their most crucial recruiting years.
But can anybody really say that they were surprised?

It is really sad that so many families listened to all of the Boca/Weston lies.
How can any of those club officials be trusted as it relates to GDA?

Here's a challenge for all you USSF/GDA cheerleaders. The profile below fits a large segment of the player population you are trying to recruit into GDA:

- Plays for an established ECNL or highly-ranked club travel team
- Team provides decent exposure to college coaches at tournaments & showcases
- One of the top players on her team
- Plays for her high school and enjoys the experience
- Has the goal of playing in college. Potential is bench player at a typical D1 or starter on a D2/D3

She's sitting in front of you with her parents right now. Let's hear your sales pitch. Why should she join your brand new unproven GDA program instead of staying with her current club?

[Unregistered]

So you would tell this girl and her family that youth soccer is already so screwed up so why not screw it up some more? Your sales pitch gets an F.

I'm trying to make this simple. How do you convince this girl and hundreds like her to leave their current teams to join GDA? The fact that nobody can answer this doesn't bode well for the future of GDA.

It's simple. You show her who the coach will be, his or her licenses, the training curriculum and schedule, the teammates who are going to be on the team, and then weight that with what she would have next year with her club team being split up and what her high school team would look like next year without the DA players. Simple really.

[Doesn't Matter for Me]

High School soccer allowed ??

The biggest thing is always the initial transition of breaking up club teams like when ECNL first came into Florida only a few short years ago or the birth year mandate changes. There have been so many changes, what is one more?

Granted people can say anything and can change their minds. Please read the article below where A. H. was quoted concerning High School Soccer and the GDA.

http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs...h-school-play/

[Unregistered]

It's simple. You show her who the coach will be, his or her licenses, the training curriculum and schedule, the teammates who are going to be on the team, and then weight that with what she would have next year with her club team being split up and what her high school team would look like next year without the DA players. Simple really.

Your sales pitch depends on having a large list of girls who have already committed to GDA? This may be effective in recruiting the last girl on the roster but what about all the ones before her? We're talking about getting that very first team created, not adding a couple players years from now after the team is established. You need to sell your program based on its virtues, not on what others are doing.

Unless your strategy depends on lying to your prospects about who has or hasn't already committed. All these girls talk to each other so good luck with that plan.

[Unregistered]

Granted people can say anything and can change their minds. Please read the article below where A. H. was quoted concerning High School Soccer and the GDA.

http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs...h-school-play/

The Federation's language allows high school soccer "with the permission of the Academy team". That way the Federation can say they don't prohibit it, but the truth is no GDA club will actually allow it.

It's a trick. Don't be April fooled.

[Unregistered]

Granted people can say anything and can change their minds. Please read the article below where A. H. was quoted concerning High School Soccer and the GDA.

http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs...h-school-play/

That article happens to contain a link to the poll questions on GDA, ECNL, and high school soccer. Very interesting:
-59% believe there should have been a collaboration between ECNL and GDA instead of creating a new GDA program
-69% say a ban on high school soccer would possibly or absolutely keep them from joining GDA
-66% say USSF is overstepping its bounds by planning 100% control of GDA

USSF might want to wake up and listen to its customers. But apparently their thirst for power is more important.

[Unregistered]

US Soccer won't let them stink. Clubs with DA will be heavily monitored on staffing requirements and training curriculum.

omg that's funny...have you seen some of the boys DA teams? Sorry, if your local DA club stinks then stick with ECNL - especially over the next few years. Anyone U14+ or older needn't worry until this starts to be flushed out. Even then it will likely end up like on the boys side - it you want top D1 you do DA. Lower D1, D2 or D3 then ECNL will likely serve your needs very well.

Oh, and you can play HS sports too

[Unregistered]

omg that's funny...have you seen some of the boys DA teams? Sorry, if your local DA club stinks then stick with ECNL - especially over the next few years. Anyone U14+ or older needn't worry until this starts to be flushed out. Even then it will likely end up like on the boys side - it you want top D1 you do DA. Lower D1, D2 or D3 then ECNL will likely serve your needs very well.

Oh, and you can play HS sports too

The boys chosen for the camps almost all come form the DA. It will be the same for the girls.

[Unregistered]

That article happens to contain a link to the poll questions on GDA, ECNL, and high school soccer. Very interesting:
-59% believe there should have been a collaboration between ECNL and GDA instead of creating a new GDA program
-69% say a ban on high school soccer would possibly or absolutely keep them from joining GDA
-66% say USSF is overstepping its bounds by planning 100% control of GDA

USSF might want to wake up and listen to its customers. But apparently their thirst for power is more important.

It has been that since the very beginning - pretty obvious too. That's why GDA won't be what they expect. It will do fine but won't be the instant clear winner like on the boys side. The boys didn't have an ECNL-like option. There was MLS support (coaching+free tuition) and a possible pro path. Girls have options. Girls don't care about going pro. Girls have seen the successes and failures of DA and will make informed choices depending on their goals (top D1 vs lower than that) and what the club options are in their area. And yes for some HS sports will matter too.

[Unregistered]

Granted people can say anything and can change their minds. Please read the article below where A. H. was quoted concerning High School Soccer and the GDA.

http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs...h-school-play/

This has been beaten to death. Clubs have an out and they will use it. The DA season is ten months long and all games must be played. Clubs do not want to be missing key players for 3-4 months while HS is in session (because it also says if you do HS you cannot do any DA work at all). A true super stud might get an exception or the private school waivered kids, but that's it. It leaves teams weakened and creates ill will between the kids who get to play HS and those who are forced not to. That's why clubs some boys clubs won't do it at all -too many problems.

[Unregistered]

It's simple. You show her who the coach will be, his or her licenses, the training curriculum and schedule, the teammates who are going to be on the team, and then weight that with what she would have next year with her club team being split up and what her high school team would look like next year without the DA players. Simple really.

The average HS will have at most 1-2 DA players missing, if even. With the combined age groups it has a much lower impact than. That assumes top players even go to DA, which some will not.