Do you really think the pay or scholarships if any,coming from US Soccer, will be any different than the scholarships already provided from ECNL teams that go to in most cases to a top player no matter what their parent's income level? Is US Soccer going to go into the inner cities and find the next Marta? Or is that money going to go to a kid in Newport Beach to lure her from an OC Academy team to an LA Academy team? C'mon man. And how are Girls Academy teams going to be funded without any pro teams to back them? Any funding will go to kids already in club soccer to make their money burden lighter. It's not going to expand this sport to lower income levels. ECNL was not perfect, nothing is, but it was successful. If US Soccer was interested in anything other than a power play, they would have worked with ECNL to improve their program and add more worthy clubs. Did I hear correctly that Hope Solo was only making a 75k annual salary for pro ball? The best Keeper in the world making what a truck driver from Wal Mart makes?
Academy vs. ECNL
- Thread starter silverstreak
- Start date
Yes, much different if they follow the boy's system. Check out the average household income of scholarship recipients. http://www.ussoccerda.com/scholarship-program
mahrez
SILVER ELITE
Yes & they require documentation: tax returns and look at income levels, above a certain level & you can't quailfy for anything.
ECNL or DA costs a club at least 2x more ( better fields, coaches, more games, etc) vs a regular club team. Around 5-6k per play x 18 or more and you need a bunch of $ each year. More pay to play is likley to happen with two high end leagues.
This is so true, but unfortunately there are not likely over 5000 girls per year who actually have these qualities, though I do believe that there are likely over 5000 sets of pushy parents who keep telling them their girls that they are good enough and driven enough that they "should" be placed on the DA teams. As a result, you will have full 23 girl rosters on these teams with the majority inappropriately placed there, and at risk for burnout that may not have happened otherwise.
One of the key differences b/n ECNL and DA, is that being rostered on ECNL does not lock you in to that team only. Many can be playing on an EGSL team and occasionally be asked to play with ECNL team.
meatsweats
SILVER ELITE
Correct. And yes, those are very legitimate issues for most of the players, GAME playing time and HS soccer.
And yes, you are correct again in that USSF is reportedly going to offer some scholarship money, but only to the first 25 clubs accepted into DA. $1.49M per USSF (link below). Correct me if I'm wrong, but that doesn't benefit the other 50 clubs (700+ players) that were later accepted. Unless, of course, more money is coming. Am I missing something? Share away. I hope I am.
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...-first-25-clubs-for-girls-development-academy
"These first 25 clubs have a total of 119 staff and coaches that hold a U.S. Soccer A or B Coaching License, and includes 91 coaches who are employed on a fulltime basis. To date, these clubs have produced 307 players for U.S. Soccer’s National Teams (youth and senior) as well as 84 professional soccer players. In addition, this group will be providing 276 full scholarships with a total of $1.49 million of scholarship funds being contributed. "
NoGoal
DA
if only awarded to the 1st 25 DA clubs that equals 3.5 scholarships per team (3 teams per club). If US Soccer is going to divide the 276 full scholarships to all 70+ DA clubs. That is about 1.33 full scholarship per team, lol! The net net, it's still PAY to PLAY!
Thank the lord, my DD is out of club soccer after this season and I've paid my DD's last club and travel soccer fees.
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That's a reference to the clubs' commitment to providing the scholarships. As noted by others, most do this in some form already. As part of the application, the clubs had to make a specific commitment (locking them in). That's separate than the scholarships provided directly from US Soccer. You should read the subsequent press releases announcing the additional clubs - it shows scholarship numbers and funds for those clubs too.
You can find the DA application here: https://ussoccer.app.box.com/v/girlsacademyapplication You'll see on page 9 the two questions they ask that get the information for the "276 full scholarships with a total of $1.49 million of scholarship funds being contributed" for the first 25. The average scholarship per DA team are even higher for the clubs added after the first 25.
MakeAPlay
DA
So what you are saying is US soccer is going to provide enough money to make it cost less than $3500 per player? Or are the scholarships going to be for low income families only? I ask because what if your little Mia is one of the best players but your family doesn't have a financial "need." What is to prevent a family from asking to be subsidized? In college scholarships are allocated by ability not necessarily need.
Scholarships from US soccer are based on need for those already admitted to the DA. So the basic threshold for "talent" is making the roster. Then it goes strictly by need. These scholarships are more geared toward the travel expenses that clubs offering scholarships don't cover. Clubs scholarships are coaching fees, uniforms, etc. Those are already fixed costs for the clubs, so throwing a few extra kids into training doesn't actually cost clubs that much.
On the other hand, scholarships from the clubs don't appear to be limited by need. It would be nice if US Soccer made that part of the mandate, because I don't think there is anything preventing those scholarships being used, as they are now by clubs (whether ECNL or not), on wealthier families with a stud. It's a shame because it would a positive way in which US Soccer could exercise some of that power over all the DA clubs.
As for college, I get the point. But college is strictly about winning. This is suppose to be about development. If you want to bring in a larger pool for development, you don't give the incentives to those already in the pool.
I'm still waiting and curious to know how US Soccer is going to fund these teams. It was said in an earlier post that the calculation comes out to 1-3 scholarships per team. If thats the case, DA should not sell itself on that benefit
Look I don't have all the same information others do on the cost. I am glad someone came up with the link to show how US Soccer plans to offer scholarships.
Like those who have experience with ECNL, I have the experience with the DA. I am a believer because the level of focus is different for the children, coaches and parents. The atmosphere is different also because the parents understand it is a privilege to be on these teams and shut their mouths.
Now the two DAs we have been involved with are fully scholarshipped for the players. The club side generates the money for this to happen along with US Soccer funds and generous benefactors. He is a 2006 and has practiced 3 days a week for the last 2 years. The extra 1.5 hours in a detailed, high intensity, focused training session has fueled his growth. At his present DA he is playing up a year so practice is 4 days since they are older. The coaches are very high level and played professional soccer and aren't really concerned about winning and losing per se. They are interested in the players ability to grasp the concepts given to them in practice, and goals given to them in the pregame. It is true development for the purpose of the players to grow.
To put it simple - my daughter hasn't had the full complement of a system like that and I haven't seen one out there for them ECNL included.
Like those who have experience with ECNL, I have the experience with the DA. I am a believer because the level of focus is different for the children, coaches and parents. The atmosphere is different also because the parents understand it is a privilege to be on these teams and shut their mouths.
Now the two DAs we have been involved with are fully scholarshipped for the players. The club side generates the money for this to happen along with US Soccer funds and generous benefactors. He is a 2006 and has practiced 3 days a week for the last 2 years. The extra 1.5 hours in a detailed, high intensity, focused training session has fueled his growth. At his present DA he is playing up a year so practice is 4 days since they are older. The coaches are very high level and played professional soccer and aren't really concerned about winning and losing per se. They are interested in the players ability to grasp the concepts given to them in practice, and goals given to them in the pregame. It is true development for the purpose of the players to grow.
To put it simple - my daughter hasn't had the full complement of a system like that and I haven't seen one out there for them ECNL included.
meatsweats
SILVER ELITE
Please provide the links that say what you mention about the money and/or scholarships USSF plans to offer or contribute to the "Girls DA". It would be helpful to the rest of us. I have pulled up all the announcements from USSF and additional clubs added, and none of them say anything about specific money for scholarships that will be given by USSF to Girls DA. Maybe I missed it. It would be awesome to see it in writing.
If the $ commitment locked in the applying clubs, then someone is going to pay and my guess is that it's us parents. So we are right where we started from. New league, new name, new bossman, new rules, same story.
In my research, I read an article that I found interesting.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/67785/girls-development-academy-promises-to-be-less-expe.html
April Heinrichs, US Soccer Technical Director interview.
Mike Woitalla (socceramerica.com) - "The other big difference compared to the ECNL or U.S. Youth Soccer leagues is that the GDA will ban players from participating in high school ball. That, Heinrichs said, will only affect “1 percent” of the players in girls youth soccer. And she expects players with college and national team ambitions to be OK with skipping high school ball."
Funny how April thinks girls aspiring to play college won't care about skipping HS. Yeah, because out of 3-4000+ players in the DA, less than 1% will make the actual USWNT.
NoGoal
DA
2006 player, is that U12? Your son just entered the Boys DA system. I would love to read your experience 4-5 years from now and compare it with what you posted today. As cliche goes, your still in the honeymoon period.
There are only like 2 Boys DA clubs that are fully funded in SoCal...Galaxy and FC Golden State. I know a parent on Pats and he told me, it's pay to play and play time isn't parceled out like Girls ECNL.
So the experience you are posting about Boys DA will very based on which clubs are pay to play (which is over 70%) and the other 2 of which are fully funded. Of course you like Boys DA, because your son probably starts on a fully funded Boys DA club and it's FREE. The other parents on the team probably bite their tongue as you say, even if their kid is sitting...., because it's FREE! You would be singing another tone, if you were paying at a Boys DA club and your son was sitting though.
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Please provide the links that say what you mention about the money and/or scholarships USSF plans to offer or contribute to the "Girls DA". It would be helpful to the rest of us. I have pulled up all the announcements from USSF and additional clubs added, and none of them say anything about specific money for scholarships that will be given by USSF to Girls DA. Maybe I missed it. It would be awesome to see it in writing.
If the $ commitment locked in the applying clubs, then someone is going to pay and my guess is that it's us parents. So we are right where we started from. New league, new name, new bossman, new rules, same story.
In my research, I read an article that I found interesting.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/67785/girls-development-academy-promises-to-be-less-expe.html
April Heinrichs, US Soccer Technical Director interview.
Mike Woitalla (socceramerica.com) - "The other big difference compared to the ECNL or U.S. Youth Soccer leagues is that the GDA will ban players from participating in high school ball. That, Heinrichs said, will only affect “1 percent” of the players in girls youth soccer. And she expects players with college and national team ambitions to be OK with skipping high school ball."
Funny how April thinks girls aspiring to play college won't care about skipping HS. Yeah, because out of 3-4000+ players in the DA, less than 1% will make the actual USWNT.
Here's the link to the GDA FAQ page: http://www.ussoccerda.com/girls-academy-faqs . Search for "scholarship program". There will be a link to the scholarship page: http://www.ussoccerda.com/scholarship-program
NoGoal
DA
They have scholarshipped 1,500 players. Lets break that down, yes! Boys DA has been around for a decade, and there are 70 plus Boys DA clubs and 3 teams per club. US Soccer has scholarshipped about 150 players per year for the last 10 years. That is about 2 players per DA club on average (less than 1 player per team). Once, you break it down, it's not as impressive as it looks on paper.
Now that doesn't take into account the MLS Boys DA clubs that are fully funded of course.
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meatsweats
SILVER ELITE
Blah, blah, blah....I've read all these FAQ's. Still, there's no numbers or commitment. It's propaganda. Money has to come from somewhere and as others from the boys DA state, very few clubs are fully funded and free to play. Others are pay to play with 2-3 scholarships, max.
NoGoal is right. Break down the boys DA funding and divide that in half. What are the girls going to be left with, if they're lucky? Round and round we go. DA boils down to this. Another ECNL type of league (power struggle), 4 mandated practices a week (which we hear from boys clubs, isn't always adhered to), focus on development (ala ECNL, CRL, SCDSL, etc. Ummm. K!), A and B level coaching (eventually - in 5 years is what I'm told), no HS soccer, USSF scouting, College scouting (wait, what's their focus again?).
Just to be clear, not against DA, just don't feel DA and ECNL competing have our DD's best interests at heart. But get that no one will back down.
younothat
PREMIER
Development Academy Scholarship Program. This program is designed to assist in travel-related expenses for full-time players registered to U-13 through U-17/18 teams within the Development Academy during the 2016-17 season
https://app.wizehive.com/appform/login/ussoccer2016
http://developmentfund.ussoccer.com/about-the-fund/
Don't confuse these funds for clubs that are not charging academy players club or team fees.
Some boys clubs like Galaxy, Golden State, LAUFA don't charge academy players club or team fees/dues but don't necessarily cover all the travel expenses either. This is where the scholarship program comes into to help offset these costs. Other like Strikers, Pats, Santa Barbra charge academy players club or team fees at a reduced rate and don't cover any travel expenses so again the scholarship program can help.
Requires a large amount of $ per year per team to play in these top leagues and the boys have been subsidized to a large extent by clubs or MLS parent not US soccer for or anything besides travel.
"The Academy strongly believes that no player should face a (financial) barrier to play soccer. Therefore, clubs are encourages to subsidize costs for players in financial need"
http://www.ussoccerda.com/girls-academy-faqs
https://app.wizehive.com/appform/login/ussoccer2016
http://developmentfund.ussoccer.com/about-the-fund/
Don't confuse these funds for clubs that are not charging academy players club or team fees.
Some boys clubs like Galaxy, Golden State, LAUFA don't charge academy players club or team fees/dues but don't necessarily cover all the travel expenses either. This is where the scholarship program comes into to help offset these costs. Other like Strikers, Pats, Santa Barbra charge academy players club or team fees at a reduced rate and don't cover any travel expenses so again the scholarship program can help.
Requires a large amount of $ per year per team to play in these top leagues and the boys have been subsidized to a large extent by clubs or MLS parent not US soccer for or anything besides travel.
"The Academy strongly believes that no player should face a (financial) barrier to play soccer. Therefore, clubs are encourages to subsidize costs for players in financial need"
http://www.ussoccerda.com/girls-academy-faqs
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I think your calculation is assuming a player receives a scholarship for only one year. Most "players" meet the need requirement over multiple years. The scholarship program started in 2008 and the numbers are through 2015; it has expanded substantially over the last few years. At any rate, if we are getting about 5 or 10% more girls playing soccer at high level that were limited by the fees, I think that is a good thing. I'm not looking for free soccer for everyone.
The diversity numbers in women soccer are pretty atrocious. Any access to more money for girls that are disadvantaged is a good thing in my book. I wish the clubs would allocate their club scholarships the same way.
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NoGoal
DA
I agree club scholarship money should NOT be allocated to the best player on a team who happens to also have a combined family income over 100K for a family of 4. It should be granted to a family with a true financial need and towards a player the club projects if developed properly can become an impact player.
You assume a lot. My boy was in the DA System through PDA. Started as a club player / PDA trainee and practiced only with the PDA team. Basically the academy for the youngers. We paid full price for the club. After they DEVELOPED him for 2 seasons he was moved to the PDA team. Coaching philosophy was consistent through the academy. We moved on due to a lot of coaching, personnel change.
We would be at the fields for 4 hours a night since my girls club practiced at the same fields and had a later practice time. I made it a point to watch the older boys DA practice to see what my boy would have to look forward to. In fact, the girls program is very large and successful and when I say I am a believer in the DA development philosophy, it's because I watched both side by side for a few years.
So no he wasn't a starter and wasn't even completely in the system because he wasn't good enough at first. They DEVELOPED him because he had the drive, focus, desire and heart to work his way into a better player. To be upfront, they had no reason to keep him because they sure the hell didn't need him. They had plenty of talent already.
When speaking of fully funded DAs I know LA Galaxy, FC Golden State, TFA LA, Real So Cal, LAFC, Albion and one I'm not at liberty to name, fully fund the players on the top team (Academy and/or Pre Academy). I know at 3 of those I named, the younger ages team rosters are smaller (14-15) with two keepers once you reach U12 so everyone gets playtime and adequate training. Nothing like these girls squads being formed with 18-22 players. That's an issue with these clubs hoarding talent on the girls side.
I'm not here to fight. I know a lot of you are extra pro ECNL. That's all the girls have had and it has done it's job. That doesn't mean it hasn't gotten away from what we need for the players to get the best development. I personally feel the DA philosophy is better for player development. The coaches have high expectations for the players and hold them accountable. The players have high expectations for themselves and are working to improve.
Parents aren't buddying up with the coaches for more play time when it's not deserved and having kids on a top team roster that shouldn't be. It is more selective and the focus at practice from the kids is 200% higher. Couple that with a no tolerance rule for coaches so they teach through positivity, motivation, discipline and not fear and negativity.
I teach my kids to work smart, work hard and have fun. We all know when they hit the older ages this gets ULTRA SERIOUS. Any kid playing DA or top level ECNL has to want to do this because they have other options and the dedication level is high. My opinion is DA is structured to get more out of that dedication, while lowering the costs that ECNL has that creates a barrier for players who are good enough, but financially unable to compete. The Girls DA may not be no cost for all girls on the team at first, but that doesn't mean it can't or won't be.