A Toast to the Poachers

[Unregistered]

As club selections are in full swing, let's all take a minute to raise a glass to our favorite clubs this time of year.

You know. The big juggernauts. Full of "Elite" style buzz words. Maybe an accent here or there.
Affiliates. Chevrolet Sponsorships. Academy re-brandings. All the looks of a professional organization.

The rest of us develop the players & build the team culture... only to lose a few each year right when High School rolls around... because our favorite clubs come calling (how'd you get their numbers, you creeps?).

They promise college soccer. Potential (very slim potential) discount on college for only a modest investment of $20,000 over 4 years. Sounds Fantastic!!

Junior year. Burnt out on soccer. Waiting tables. Passed out at Country Fest.

Cheers, poachers.


(Who's your favorite?)

[Unregistered]

As club selections are in full swing, let's all take a minute to raise a glass to our favorite clubs this time of year.

You know. The big juggernauts. Full of "Elite" style buzz words. Maybe an accent here or there.
Affiliates. Chevrolet Sponsorships. Academy re-brandings. All the looks of a professional organization.

The rest of us develop the players & build the team culture... only to lose a few each year right when High School rolls around... because our favorite clubs come calling (how'd you get their numbers, you creeps?).

They promise college soccer. Potential (very slim potential) discount on college for only a modest investment of $20,000 over 4 years. Sounds Fantastic!!

Junior year. Burnt out on soccer. Waiting tables. Passed out at Country Fest.

Cheers, poachers.


(Who's your favorite?)

People don't leave clubs they are happy with.

[Unregistered]

People don't leave clubs they are happy with.

Happy people don't pass out at Country Fest.

[Unregistered]

Wow, bitter much? Do a better job and they won't leave.

Seriously, my kid left a small club 2 years ago and went to a big clubs regional (not elite level) team. Best decision we could have made. The development has been light years better even at that level. With the birth year changes this year, we decided to hedge our bets and have her try out for another small local club just to have options. Neither of us could believe how poor the soccer was. Slow paced and all kick and run. Tryouts were a joke. It was painful. Sometimes if you want better, you just have leave to follow the talent and get where development is simply better.

[Unregistered]

Wow, bitter much?

Thanks, but I'd prefer lager or pilsener.

*cheers*

[Unregistered]

Meh, our large club team has remained virtually the same going on it's 4th year now. Kids have come in, yes, as the roster sizes increased to meet the game sizes.

Must be talking to someone else.

[Unregistered]

As club selections are in full swing, let's all take a minute to raise a glass to our favorite clubs this time of year.

You know. The big juggernauts. Full of "Elite" style buzz words. Maybe an accent here or there.
Affiliates. Chevrolet Sponsorships. Academy re-brandings. All the looks of a professional organization.

The rest of us develop the players & build the team culture... only to lose a few each year right when High School rolls around... because our favorite clubs come calling (how'd you get their numbers, you creeps?).

They promise college soccer. Potential (very slim potential) discount on college for only a modest investment of $20,000 over 4 years. Sounds Fantastic!!

Junior year. Burnt out on soccer. Waiting tables. Passed out at Country Fest.

Cheers, poachers.


(Who's your favorite?)

Nope. It's not "poaching" when a player leaves your club at the end of the year because they aren't happy anymore.

Cheers right back at you though.

[Unregistered]

Meh, our large club team has remained virtually the same going on it's 4th year now. Kids have come in, yes, as the roster sizes increased to meet the game sizes.

Must be talking to someone else.

4 years no up or down movement, must be worth every penny.

[Unregistered]

Don't mind the OP. My guess is that his kids team just got depleted of its best players, and now they are left wondering what the heck just happened. Give it a year, and he/she will end up moving on too.

[Unregistered]

Happy people don't pass out at Country Fest.

I passed out at a Dead concert in '85?
I'm still unhappy...

[Unregistered]

This happened on our son's team when they were entering high school. 3 boys moved clubs at the request of their high school coach. Everything worked out on our team, but 2 of the boys that left weren't pleased with their move & are returning next spring.

[Unregistered]

This happened on our son's team when they were entering high school. 3 boys moved clubs at the request of their high school coach. Everything worked out on our team, but 2 of the boys that left weren't pleased with their move & are returning next spring.

Why would a HS coach ask a player to move clubs (unless they coached there of course)....

[Unregistered]

Why would a HS coach ask a player to move clubs (unless they coached there of course)....

I was thinking the same thing. And if the HS coach is the club coach, that could be a conflict of interest for sure. Our AD would tell him to pick one or the other.

[Unregistered]

I was thinking the same thing. And if the HS coach is the club coach, that could be a conflict of interest for sure. Our AD would tell him to pick one or the other.

Then your not from Needham!

[Unregistered]

Why would a HS coach ask a player to move clubs (unless they coached there of course)....

Or a buddy coaches there. Or the HS coach thought training would be better.