Is DA actually worth it?

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It also assumes the training is good. as we know not all DA training is the same. I also don't think that putting a kid in DA in the younger ages is always a good idea, particularly if it's a long commute. If he's good, works hard and you have a good local club wait until closer to high school or even in high school (then he can see if really wants it or not).

The same can be said about every league.

This HS-hysteria that pervades this site is odd.

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The same can be said about every league.

This HS-hysteria that pervades this site is odd.

Not odd at all. Some kids really love it and want to play; others don't. Many adults question a league forcing kids to chose when ultimately college is the best they can hope for.

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Not odd at all. Some kids really love it and want to play; others don't. Many adults question a league forcing kids to chose when ultimately college is the best they can hope for.

Exactly...some want to play, some don't. So, the constant "But-but-but they don't let you play HS" as some relevant point is curious. Play HS, don't play HS...move along.

Nobody is "forced" to do anything.

I will say, if your hope is to play in college, not sure what relevance playing HS has to do with it. Has more of a chance of being a negative than a positive in that regard.

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The basis for DA only allowing Prep school waivers is based on the pretense that kids are getting tuition subsidies/reductions to play soccer thus an ROI on their current DA spend. That being said we all know that waivers are given out based on strategic importance of keeping top players, not based on these kids getting tuition breaks. We think of DA having a fall league vs ECNL Spring only yet charging same money as full year, so your kind of paying same for half as much...

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Exactly...some want to play, some don't. So, the constant "But-but-but they don't let you play HS" as some relevant point is curious. Play HS, don't play HS...move along.

Nobody is "forced" to do anything.

I will say, if your hope is to play in college, not sure what relevance playing HS has to do with it. Has more of a chance of being a negative than a positive in that regard.

Right, it really depends on the high school. We live in an area where club soccer is just starting to catch on, so the high school teams are made up of 80% town travel players, raised on volunteer dad coaching. Watching a few games this fall, I would be very surprised if any of the players make it onto a college team. Frankly, it would be unfair for a DA level player to join that team, so high school play really isn't an option for such a player. However, a high school located in an area rich with high level ECNL/NPL teams might be an option for an average DA level player. Due to the many foreign players entering the private school scene in the state, those schools are attracting top local players and ex-DA players, so might also be a good option for those wanting to play school soccer at a high enough level to move onto college soccer.

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Right now at the older levels, the best NPL teams are at least as good as at least this area's academy teams. If I'm aware of that fact, so are college coaches. Let that guide your (son's decision.

What you “know” isn’t really relevant to college coaches. Your assumptions are incorrect. I’m glad your son is happy and you’ve found a way to rationalize things.

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Exactly...some want to play, some don't. So, the constant "But-but-but they don't let you play HS" as some relevant point is curious. Play HS, don't play HS...move along.

Nobody is "forced" to do anything.

I will say, if your hope is to play in college, not sure what relevance playing HS has to do with it. Has more of a chance of being a negative than a positive in that regard.

There are more HS soccer players getting College Commits then there are DA players.

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There are more HS soccer players getting College Commits then there are DA players.

And pigs are flying now too? Okay Henny Penny, sell your ECNL/HS wares elsewhere.
#Fake news

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There are 20 times the amount of participation and of spectators of High School Soccer, then there is in DA soccer. There are more college commits as well! In 5 years from now, no one will remember your club soccer teams accomplishments, but for the rest of your life your teammates will remember winning the HS regional or state championships. The team photo and trophy will be on display at you HS forever, and that season will always come up at class reunions. Nothing in club soccer can compare. That being said, there is allot of garbage soccer being played on the low level HS teams, but the top HS teams are fun to watch.

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There are 20 times the amount of participation and of spectators of High School Soccer, then there is in DA soccer. There are more college commits as well! In 5 years from now, no one will remember your club soccer teams accomplishments, but for the rest of your life your teammates will remember winning the HS regional or state championships. The team photo and trophy will be on display at you HS forever, and that season will always come up at class reunions. Nothing in club soccer can compare. That being said, there is allot of garbage soccer being played on the low level HS teams, but the top HS teams are fun to watch.

Really? That's the selling point? A photo in your HS trophy cabinet?

Let it go Al Bundy...let it go.

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And pigs are flying now too? Okay Henny Penny, sell your ECNL/HS wares elsewhere.
#Fake news

Why did you even bother to type this out? It is so easy to go to the commitments thread or the commitment page of New England Soccer Journal and see what you wrote is false.

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And pigs are flying now too? Okay Henny Penny, sell your ECNL/HS wares elsewhere.
#Fake news

I'm not saying if your end goal is to play in College, you are better off playing HS, it's not. DA is the better path, but if you look at the raw numbers, there are plenty of kids getting college commits that never played DA. Far more than those that do play DA. So it is NOT fake news, just reality, sorry if it hurts your snowflake sensibilities.

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Really? That's the selling point? A photo in your HS trophy cabinet?

Let it go Al Bundy...let it go.

Representing your HS and town, being a part of a team with your friends and your school/class mates, and achieving something your whole community will get behind and talk about is something you will never experience in DA. For 90% of soccer players, HS soccer will be the high point of their playing careers. The DA child is giving up allot for just a slightly better chance at being noticed by a college scout. Although if the HS coach is truly horrid, that may sway the decision a bit.

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Really? That's the selling point? A photo in your HS trophy cabinet?

Let it go Al Bundy...let it go.

Those 4 years, or in your case 6, of High School are truly some of the most defining and impactful years you will ever have. Good or Bad, you will always remember that time in more detail than you will the next 15 after you are done with higher education.

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I know a kid that plays DA for the Revs, and he is giving up allot not being able to play HS soccer with his friends he grew up playing with from Town Soccer, and it bothers him. Right now his goal is to give up playing DA his senior year of HS and play for his school, but we will see if that hold true in a few years, once that times arrives.