Girls Development Academy
- Thread starter Swoosh
- Start date
There are a few 05s that could play (actually they already do) with 04s, just like there are a few 04s that can play up, while making an impact in the game. But why would you like to do that when you are currently playing in a top 05 team?
The main reasons would be the superior training and exposure to US Soccer trainers. But these girls are already getting this (I'm sure most practice two additional days with the older girls, and they are invited to YNT sessions), and the same diet will continue next year. On the other hand, when playing up they do not get to be total studs like they are right now in their age group, which actually is pretty important for the psychology of the player.
If she played in a top team and got the additional training with the older girls, I would rather have her playing one last year of great summer tournaments, CRL, National Cup, etc. In the worst case I would ask for a Developmental Player slot, but what is the point of taking it from an older girl that could be rewarded with this? DA is not going away, it will be there next year waiting for her.
wow.. so if the plans to split the U-14/15 age groups happen.. does that mean there will two DA teams for each age group as well.. 03 DA1, 03DA2, 04DA1, 04DA2 ? Will DA2 teams be allowed to play SCDSL/Coast,etc?
Does this basically mean SCDSL/Coast, etc just lost their entire Flight 1/Gold brackets for these age groups?
Does this basically mean SCDSL/Coast, etc just lost their entire Flight 1/Gold brackets for these age groups?
younothat
PREMIER
No one team per club per age group in the ussda league for a total of (4) four per club......IE: LA Galaxy U14, U15 the other age groups are not split yet just like the boys: U16/17 & U18/19
No but those leagues will be diluted the first year just like boys were this past season; eventually things might level out but if more leagues and comp's are added, more dilution is possible.
shales1002
GOLD
Certainly not the nail in the coffin. As is most of the country is not participating in GDA. Again , what U.S. Is saying is that essentially the best players live in SoCal and the northeast part of the country. So, ECNL will continue to thrive with 3/4 of the country not able to participate in GDA.
LadiesMan217
GOLD
U.S. Soccer is not saying that (although probably true). Only two ECNL states are not represented IA and AL - no GDA options for the kids on those teams unless they want a 4 hour drive. All other kids have nearby GDA options.
CaliKlines
Well-Known Member
3/4? "Most of the country"? What are you basing this percentage on? The Girls Development Academy is spread throughout the major population centers of the country, and provides an opportunity to most (90%) of the girls that are playing organized soccer in the US. Granted, my percentage is an educated guess, derived from the attached map of GDA clubs.
http://www.ussoccerda.com/girls-academy-club-directory
Most of the country is serviced by US Soccer GDA.
Kicknit22
GOLD
I think it's a bit of wishful thinking on Shales part.
MakeAPlay
DA
And Cali's is admittedly guessing. And following the drumbeat.
shales1002
GOLD
Based on the GDA map, 45 states would be 90%. Once again that is NOT happening. Now, ECNL is a viable option for my DD. She will get her looks regardless of where she plays. But, my end goal is for her to follow my or her father's footsteps anything more is a bonus.
GDA does not allow for players to "discovery" play. Some of our Vegas girls who currently play ECNL in SoCal were told that they would have to commit to a minimum of 3 practices a week in order to participate in GDA. Essentially that's asking families to relocate. Perhaps because you have it in SoCal, you are blinded or unaware as to what's happening for a lot of girls who may want to participate. Perhaps you are excited that you, CaliKlines, finally have a label...who knows. I don't believe there is anything wrong with GDA YET. What I do know is that if the GDA is about finding and developing the talent, this process will excluded many in the vast areas where the nearest GDA is 4 hours away, and yes that's over half of the country. However, I know the best will get looked at wherever they may be and regardless of label.
MakeAPlay
DA
Preach it sister!!
CaliKlines
Well-Known Member
So, it is your contention that every state, regardless of population, should have a GDA club? If you look at the GDA map, the vast majority of players, not states, are located within a 1 hour drive of a GDA club. I am sorry about the 3 girls in Las Vegas (and the 2 girls in South Dakota) that do not have GDA closer. However, it makes the most sense for the league to concentrate their focus on the population centers throughout the country.
shales1002
GOLD
It is not my contention that every state should have a GDA. It is my contention that ECNL definitely reaches far more players and successfully. There are some excellent players in Hawaii, Nevada, Ohio. There are no GDA clubs.
There are more than three girls from Vegas playing in SoCal but hey you said 90% of girls will be servicesd by GDA. Secondly, your map reading skills aren't up to par. Perhaps a geography course would help.
That being said, labels don't matter. The best will be discovered.
LadiesMan217
GOLD
Discovery players as defined by ECNL are: "A Discovery Player is a player that plays on a team for a non-ECNL club that you want to play with your team. This is a great way for the Discovery Player to experience what it is like to play ECNL competition and for a team to have the assistance of a key player.". GDA is about player development, not having a kid show up at games to play. How many practices do these Vegas girls attend per week today?
shales1002
GOLD
That's a fair question. The girls go down once a week to my knowledge. With parents rotating the responsibility. You are right about the discovery player. I personally would be upset if a discovery player was playing more than my child who showed up to all the practices. I agree with you with regards to the goal of GDA. The point that I am making is that GDA is lacking geographically.
First, I agree, good players will be discovered wherever they play. But to counter the geography point, there are zero ECNL clubs located in the City of Los Angeles. I believe the City of Los Angles is way more populated than the entire state of Nevada with some of the worst traffic in the country. I don't know if GDA is going to work or not, but GDA in SoCal will serve a far broader population base because of the geographic spread.
Your right on the population of Nevada being smaller than LA. Nevada has 2.9 million state wide. LA has 4.1 million.
shales1002
GOLD
I believe that is a problem. Ecnl SHOULD be in Los Angeles. I lived there 30 years, and I can't imagine how parents were/are making the commutes to ECNL clubs, but at least you had the option. Girls outside of the radius for GDA do not have the same option. Hopefully we can both agree, millions of people are bring left out.
LadiesMan217
GOLD
I'm not sure it is much different than ECNL geographically. Are these girls playing for another club? If not, all they have to do is signup for the club and they can become 'Developmental Players'; but, that does restrict the number of games they can play and no playing in finals. Developmental Players practicing once a week with Academy team is not uncommon (although they do play on another team within the club and most likely practice with them).
shales1002
GOLD
Yes, they play for another club. It will be interesting to see what options they explore as they don't want the limitations you mentioned. It's a lot of traveling involved for one game and one practice a week. We here are curious to see how Phoenix or the one Utah team manages.
outside!
DA
Everybody seems to be arguing over a point that is an issue for both GDA and ECNL. They are both closed systems with no relegation and more importantly, no way for a deserving team from a small club to get in. At least with USYS Nationals, there is a path for any team from anywhere to make it to the top levels and get exposure (for both the players and the coaches).
ECNL did many good things for girls soccer, but was not serving southern California effectively the last few years. GDA is better for SoCal than ECNL since it broke the Surf monopoly in San Diego county and let in Legends. I also think GDA serves LA/OC better than ECNL since there the clubs cover a larger area. With such a large population of quality players, I don't believe SoCal teams need to travel out of SoCal for good competition on a regular basis. Now if only there were a way for individual teams to break in...
ECNL did many good things for girls soccer, but was not serving southern California effectively the last few years. GDA is better for SoCal than ECNL since it broke the Surf monopoly in San Diego county and let in Legends. I also think GDA serves LA/OC better than ECNL since there the clubs cover a larger area. With such a large population of quality players, I don't believe SoCal teams need to travel out of SoCal for good competition on a regular basis. Now if only there were a way for individual teams to break in...