Girls Development Academy

[Fact]

Without approval of outgoing DOC, are kids stuck on a team until the end of the season? An interesting question came up because DA season goes to the end of July I believe? But what if new kids are brought onto the team from ECNL teams and non DA/non ECNL teams midway thru the season. Despite having minimum play requirements, a player could all of a sudden have a huge cut back in playing time yet be stuck with the team since Calsouth does not control DA teams.

A player registered with DA is an unregistered free agent with respect to Cal South, unless the club has double-booked him.

Yes I understand that CalSouth does not control DA. Look at my last sentence. So you did not answer my question. I remember one boy telling his club that he was on scholarship for HS and so they released him to play HS thinking that he would come back afterwards. But it was just his parents outplaying the DOC and he joined a new team right after HS season.

I would have hoped things evolved in favor of players suck on a team that was not even trying to develop them. I guess players make a commitment to a DA team and then are suck for almost a whole year without any recourse if they are not playing or were lied to about playing time, no. of players on a team etc. What a sad system.

 

[Lambchop]

When will DA tryouts be in 2018....Jan, Feb, March.....? I think we did it in May of this year for inaugural season. #curious

July?

 

[GoWest]

July?

Are tryout dates mandated by US Soccer or do clubs have some flexibility setting the dates?

 

[espola]

Yes I understand that CalSouth does not control DA. Look at my last sentence. So you did not answer my question. I remember one boy telling his club that he was on scholarship for HS and so they released him to play HS thinking that he would come back afterwards. But it was just his parents outplaying the DOC and he joined a new team right after HS season.

I would have hoped things evolved in favor of players suck on a team that was not even trying to develop them. I guess players make a commitment to a DA team and then are suck for almost a whole year without any recourse if they are not playing or were lied to about playing time, no. of players on a team etc. What a sad system.

The whole house of cards rests on people accepting the fiction that they are actually doing any development. Because of its limited size, they are able to recruit the best players in any given year, and then proudly display the results of how many have made if to the highest levels - national team, age-group teams, and college rosters. The best of those players were headed to those destinations anyway.

The primary objective of this program has been (or should have been) to elevate USA soccer into the top ranks of FIFA teams. Now we are at the 10-year mark which was the propagandized target year at the beginning, and where are we? Sitting at home with Canada watching Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama play.

 

[LadiesMan217]

The whole house of cards rests on people accepting the fiction that they are actually doing any development. Because of its limited size, they are able to recruit the best players in any given year, and then proudly display the results of how many have made if to the highest levels - national team, age-group teams, and college rosters. The best of those players were headed to those destinations anyway.

The primary objective of this program has been (or should have been) to elevate USA soccer into the top ranks of FIFA teams. Now we are at the 10-year mark which was the propagandized target year at the beginning, and where are we? Sitting at home with Canada watching Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama play.

A few of the GDA clubs are actually doing things a lot different then I have seen in club soccer. In general you are correct but then again Soccer is a low totem pole for men in the US. The rest of the world has soccer as the main sport, here it is like a boys 5th sport for the athletes. Don't see that changing for a long time - not even in my lifetime.

 

[espola]

A few of the GDA clubs are actually doing things a lot different then I have seen in club soccer. In general you are correct but then again Soccer is a low totem pole for men in the US. The rest of the world has soccer as the main sport, here it is like a boys 5th sport for the athletes. Don't see that changing for a long time - not even in my lifetime.

Ding what things different?

 

[Grow The Game]

Are people pleased with the Girls Development Academy so far? I am curious since the high school break is coming and we will see if any players choose to forgo their commitments for high school glory.

 

[jose]

Are people pleased with the Girls Development Academy so far? I am curious since the high school break is coming and we will see if any players choose to forgo their commitments for high school glory.

girls especially miss it. It is a huge social thing for girls, I'm sure with the boy too. Simple fix. DA just shut down for 3 months. What are you going to teach in 3 months that will be drastically improved. If my kid had a decision Id say play high school. You can't put a price on those memories

 

[Josep]

girls especially miss it. It is a huge social thing for girls, I'm sure with the boy too. Simple fix. DA just shut down for 3 months. What are you going to teach in 3 months that will be drastically improved. If my kid had a decision Id say play high school. You can't put a price on those memories

HS is fun. No doubt. But it’s also really bad soccer. If you’re playing DA, there’s a good chance you’re really excited about going to Florida. Also, kids don’t like spending all winter break at HS practice. One of my kids had it every day except Xmas day and NYD.

Three months of DA training, 4 days a week is very beneficial. That’s 8 hours a week for 12 weeks. Injuries are a factor in HS too. You just have clunky kids charging in. Fewer refs to watch it all. Yes, it’s fun, but that’s the only thing you’re missing out of.

I’d also say if your kid is in DA, and they aren’t having as much or more fun, perhaps DA isn’t for you. I’ve seen some really strong bonds out there.

 

[timbuck]

HS is fun. No doubt. But it’s also really bad soccer. If you’re playing DA, there’s a good chance you’re really excited about going to Florida. Also, kids don’t like spending all winter break at HS practice. One of my kids had it every day except Xmas day and NYD.

Three months of DA training, 4 days a week is very beneficial. That’s 8 hours a week for 12 weeks. Injuries are a factor in HS too. You just have clunky kids charging in. Fewer refs to watch it all. Yes, it’s fun, but that’s the only thing you’re missing out of.

I’d also say if your kid is in DA, and they aren’t having as much or more fun, perhaps DA isn’t for you. I’ve seen some really strong bonds out there.

Isn't this a bit of a contradiction? They don't want to practice over break but they go to DA practice 4 days a week.
I'd like to see DA/US Soccer try to get more involved with HS soccer and try to have a mutually beneficial relationship. Can HS soccer become better soccer with a bit of help?

 

[Josep]

Isn't this a bit of a contradiction? They don't want to practice over break but they go to DA practice 4 days a week.
I'd like to see DA/US Soccer try to get more involved with HS soccer and try to have a mutually beneficial relationship. Can HS soccer become better soccer with a bit of help?

DA is on break during that time.

Tim, you’ve been around this form for a long time. I think you know outside a few schools that have consistently good HS programs, it’s pretty poor. I’ve heard from other coaches that it’s much worse (summer leagues) because of the DA arriving.

It doesn’t make sense. It’s mostly club soccer coaches, and club soccer players. Yet the one think you hear from club coaches after HS break is, “now I have to undo all the bad habits of HS.” That to me is the real oxymoron.

 

[jose]

HS is fun. No doubt. But it’s also really bad soccer. If you’re playing DA, there’s a good chance you’re really excited about going to Florida. Also, kids don’t like spending all winter break at HS practice. One of my kids had it every day except Xmas day and NYD.

Three months of DA training, 4 days a week is very beneficial. That’s 8 hours a week for 12 weeks. Injuries are a factor in HS too. You just have clunky kids charging in. Fewer refs to watch it all. Yes, it’s fun, but that’s the only thing you’re missing out of.

I’d also say if your kid is in DA, and they aren’t having as much or more fun, perhaps DA isn’t for you. I’ve seen some really strong bonds out there.

agree but club anything is better than HS level.

 

[tugs]

My DDs a sophomore and made varsity for a large north county public high school in san diego. She said during tryouts she asked one of the gals what positioned she played and gal replied "position? I don't know...". Pretty much sums up level of HS ball.

 

[outside!]

With GDA keeping many of the higher level female soccer players out of HS soccer, this season of HS Girls soccer will be interesting. On the plus side, it will allow more players to play soccer as teenagers, which is not a terrible thing.

 

[MakeAPlay]

My DDs a sophomore and made varsity for a large north county public high school in san diego. She said during tryouts she asked one of the gals what positioned she played and gal replied "position? I don't know...". Pretty much sums up level of HS ball.

HS Soccer on the girls side isn't about the soccer.

 

[Simisoccerfan]

girls especially miss it. It is a huge social thing for girls, I'm sure with the boy too. Simple fix. DA just shut down for 3 months. What are you going to teach in 3 months that will be drastically improved. If my kid had a decision Id say play high school. You can't put a price on those memories

Not that simple. HS soccer is a winter sport here but a spring sport in some areas and a fall sport in other areas of the country. Hard to have a national program with those conflicts.

 

[jose]

Not that simple. HS soccer is a winter sport here but a spring sport in some areas and a fall sport in other areas of the country. Hard to have a national program with those conflicts.

good point. i seriously hope that the people at the top of this could figure that part out. either way it national games wouldn't take place while kids are in school. Im guessing.

 

[Simisoccerfan]

Kids miss school for Winter and Spring showcases

 

[SocalPapa]

Not that simple. HS soccer is a winter sport here but a spring sport in some areas and a fall sport in other areas of the country. Hard to have a national program with those conflicts.

Not that hard. ECNL is able to do it. Even ECNL clubs offering a full 10-month schedule are able to work it out: https://www.michiganwolveshawks.com/ecnl-info/ecnl-and-high-school.html

 

[Simisoccerfan]

Not that hard. ECNL is able to do it. Even ECNL clubs offering a full 10-month schedule are able to work it out: https://www.michiganwolveshawks.com/ecnl-info/ecnl-and-high-school.html

How does that work for the ECNL games being played during the HS season?

 

[eastbaysoccer]

HS soccer is not about soccer. It’s about playing for your school, your friends, with upper class man and in front of teachers and peers. GDA is a waste of time for 99% of the kids. Only the few will make the WNT.