Academy Dual Age Band 2003/2002

Sane65

BRONZE
Let's get it going here- What have clubs and DOCs shared so far?
 
Nothing but DA webcast has already stated its intent on 2003/2002 band for 2018-19 season so seems like a done deal (except for pilot Frontier Division). Really unfortunate for highly talented 2003 player pool as it is a rather pivotal recruiting year (most will be freshmen/sophomores) and majority will be either back to ECNL (keeps ECNL alive and viable) or maybe some will leave their club to try to make '03/'02 DA team at a lesser club. Very few '03s can be impactful at '02 age group and look good in front of scouts at '02 age group. Just my opinion.
 
What is the Frontier Division pilot program? I haven't heard about it.

It's an age pure ('02 this year, '03 next year) division. Currently, these teams are primarily made up of the '02 kids that did not make the U16/17 rosters, which as we know are made up of mostly '01s this year.

All but 1 Frontier club had a team competing this year (expect them all to next year) and they play on regular GDA match days alongside the rest of the teams (same as the U13s this year). No playoffs/standings for the pilots (like U14s) nor do they participate in the 3 major Showcases. They do however participate in USSDA approved tourneys (Silverlakes, DIGC, etc).
 
Opinions on how the DA 02/03 dual age band will affect the 03’s in Ecnl, Csl, and SCDSL?
If 75% of the current 03 DA girls are bumped to ECNL, they will in turn most likely bump a large percentage of current ECNL to Flight 1 SCDSL, CSL. July and August are going to be a nightmare.
 
It's an age pure ('02 this year, '03 next year) division. Currently, these teams are primarily made up of the '02 kids that did not make the U16/17 rosters, which as we know are made up of mostly '01s this year.

All but 1 Frontier club had a team competing this year (expect them all to next year) and they play on regular GDA match days alongside the rest of the teams (same as the U13s this year). No playoffs/standings for the pilots (like U14s) nor do they participate in the 3 major Showcases. They do however participate in USSDA approved tourneys (Silverlakes, DIGC, etc).
Most likely the top 03 players in Frontier division will also be DPL and will participate in the 02/03 band with their club at the DA showcases. Would be surprised if they didn't.
 
I just feel for the ‘03’s in Nothern LA County and above. What do they do if/when bumped from DA because of the reduced number of spots because of the Dual Age Band.
 
It will definitely change the landscape of the 03 teams with the influx of players bumped. Especially since these are really good players. Would be interesting to hear from parents odd dd in this position.
 
I just feel for the ‘03’s in Nothern LA County and above. What do they do if/when bumped from DA because of the reduced number of spots because of the Dual Age Band.

i would agree with you except what exactly is the purpose of GDA? Is it to give everyone a spot or to develop elite players? We can't have it both ways.
 
i would agree with you except what exactly is the purpose of GDA? Is it to give everyone a spot or to develop elite players? We can't have it both ways.
Except in the Frontier Division, lol. I guess in the six months it has been around for the girls, they aren't quite sure and have changed their direction. lol
 
i would agree with you except what exactly is the purpose of GDA? Is it to give everyone a spot or to develop elite players? We can't have it both ways.
I agree 100%! Not saying the dual age isn’t warranted, just feel for those in North LA who don’t have an. ECNL (or equivalent....well let’s be honest, there isn’t an equivalent) option
 
Having a young 2002 currently playing in the combined 01/02 DA league I would advise the 03s currently playing DA and those wanting tryout next season to have several back up options. First go onto the DA website and see how many 02s are currently playing for your clubs 01/02 team. Second if your club is a combined ECNL/DA club look at the current 02 ECNL team as many of those players may want to play DA next season. For those Non-Ecnl/DA clubs look at how many 02s are playing on the current 02 DPL team as many of those may want to play DA next season. Then factor in 02s playing top level in CSL or SCDSL that may tryout next season for a DA squad. Finally look at your current 03 DA roster and see where your DD matches up on the depth chart. Once you start putting all those numbers together you will get a feel for how realistic a DA spot would be for an 03 playing in the 02/03 combined DA team. I read that currently it's about 75% 01s and 25% 02s in the current 01/02 DA teams and about 5% 02s that are born after July. That's why it's important to talk with your club about options and have a couple back up plans just in case DA isn t an option next season. I will add that it's a huge challenge playing up and the DA combined teams at the U17/U16 age group are fast, physical, and the play is a step above the two years of ECNL I got too watch prior to this DA season.
 
Except in the Frontier Division, lol. I guess in the six months it has been around for the girls, they aren't quite sure and have changed their direction. lol

Age bands aren't obstacles for elite players. Is this AYSO or GDA? If a kid can't make the dual age band team they aren't likely a difference maker. It sucks but that is reality. It only gets worse moving forward so deal with it. Or don't and continue to cry about it. Either way it won't change anything.
 
Age bands aren't obstacles for elite players. Is this AYSO or GDA? If a kid can't make the dual age band team they aren't likely a difference maker. It sucks but that is reality. It only gets worse moving forward so deal with it. Or don't and continue to cry about it. Either way it won't change anything.
From what I have been told by a reliable source, every single club in the southwest division and northwest have all sent letters to US soccer asking them to continue DA single age band for the 03's. Hmmm, I guess they were all mistaken and duped, stupid us. But you are right, it doesn't matter and is a reflection of what is going on in this country.
 
From what I have been told by a reliable source, every single club in the southwest division and northwest have all sent letters to US soccer asking them to continue DA single age band for the 03's. Hmmm, I guess they were all mistaken and duped, stupid us. But you are right, it doesn't matter and is a reflection of what is going on in this country.
Funny....I heard the exact opposite. The cost of maintaining DA is very high and unless they raise Fee’s across the board to help fund expansion to 5 teams, DA in this area will likely stay at 4 teams.
 
Funny....I heard the exact opposite. The cost of maintaining DA is very high and unless they raise Fee’s across the board to help fund expansion to 5 teams, DA in this area will likely stay at 4 teams.
GDA teams should be the priority for clubs, especially those who do not have ECNL. Without their DAs, those clubs would become second tier now on the girls' side, and that'd affect their bottom line. Their youngers programs would certainly suffer, and any talented players they have would be poached away once again. DA was a gift to some of these clubs. They should take care of their DA players.
 
GDA teams should be the priority for clubs, especially those who do not have ECNL. Without their DAs, those clubs would become second tier now on the girls' side, and that'd affect their bottom line. Their youngers programs would certainly suffer, and any talented players they have would be poached away once again. DA was a gift to some of these clubs. They should take care of their DA players.
I don’t disagree, but to what expense? Should non Academy teams pay more to support a bigger Academy structure?

The argument here isn’t the value of DA to these Clubs. It is the Dual Age Band that is designed to consolidate the talent. The structure essentially remains the same as when it started (officially). 2 Age Pure Teams and 2 Banded teams. PS - we all know they called the youngest Age ‘05/06 but there is not requirement for the number of ‘06’s so it is essentially the same as the ‘04’s this year (where several teams have ‘05’s playing) so they could have in essence dubbed it ‘04/05 this year.
 
Having a young 2002 currently playing in the combined 01/02 DA league I would advise the 03s currently playing DA and those wanting tryout next season to have several back up options. First go onto the DA website and see how many 02s are currently playing for your clubs 01/02 team. Second if your club is a combined ECNL/DA club look at the current 02 ECNL team as many of those players may want to play DA next season. For those Non-Ecnl/DA clubs look at how many 02s are playing on the current 02 DPL team as many of those may want to play DA next season. Then factor in 02s playing top level in CSL or SCDSL that may tryout next season for a DA squad. Finally look at your current 03 DA roster and see where your DD matches up on the depth chart. Once you start putting all those numbers together you will get a feel for how realistic a DA spot would be for an 03 playing in the 02/03 combined DA team. I read that currently it's about 75% 01s and 25% 02s in the current 01/02 DA teams and about 5% 02s that are born after July. That's why it's important to talk with your club about options and have a couple back up plans just in case DA isn t an option next season. I will add that it's a huge challenge playing up and the DA combined teams at the U17/U16 age group are fast, physical, and the play is a step above the two years of ECNL I got too watch prior to this DA season.
Thanks for your insight; no doubt that 2003 age group in so cal is talented. Just a short period ago, a lot of these 03 kids were competing fine against 2002 group. Obviously, the talented 2002 girls have purged or consolidated into DA, so the challenge will be greater for the 03. Just my opinion after discussing with a few 02 parents; but I don't expect many current successfull 02 ecnl players switching to DA. Why? Girls are happy where their at, getting college exposure and interest already, and don't want to switch back to ecnl a year later. So DA may lose another year of talented girls with 03 girls as some may opt to stay in ecnl or whatever league their in for the reasons above. Just my two cents...
 
Except for the fact that many college coaches want their verbally committed recruits to play at top level league to maintain their "investments". Seems like some DA clubs are switching from 4 a week practice to 3 a week with an additional "personal training" day to be done at discretion of player. Don't see many advantages for DA vs ECNL right now with that change being made...
 
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