Girls Development Academy

Desert Hound said:
Well for starters I think the merger is a positive. The combined club should over time be able to field better teams vs Sereno alone or Legacy alone. The typical teams will continue to train in their respective areas within the metro area. However for the very top teams they are going to move the training to an area far more central. Sereno should continue to have/keep most of their current players on their ECNL teams for example. However moving to a more central training area will now bring in kids whose parents were unwilling to drive so far. By far I mean to where Sereno currently trains or where del Sol trains (both clubs are currently pretty close to each other. Essentially they now bring in the entire east valley into play while keeping what they currently have.

It now makes for a very strong club.

It is a very interesting development.
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Combining definitely created a local superclub, but I'm still concerned with talent dilution for 2 DAs. I hope it works out,but if they keep ECNL and add DA can we support 3 platforms in AZ? I'm hoping our local state teams don't take to much of a hit as well. Still lots of unknowns on this. Interesting for sure
 
azsnowrider said:
Combining definitely created a local superclub, but I'm still concerned with talent dilution for 2 DAs. I hope it works out,but if they keep ECNL and add DA can we support 3 platforms in AZ? I'm hoping our local state teams don't take to much of a hit as well. Still lots of unknowns on this. Interesting for sure
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Well we should find out pretty soon if they get DA status. In Feb US Soccer will announce new clubs per their website information.
 
Per a conversation a few days ago, is it true that for DA 2018-2019, it will be a combined 2005/2006 bracket? Any updates from clubs on this, especially the ones that have completed tryouts? Just curious.
 
OK, I understand combined age bands after puberty -- the level of play isn't as age-dependent when you are looking at girls that are 15 and 16 years old. But when you are talking about girls that are 11, 12 and 13, there is a HUGE difference between the average top competitive athlete at age 13 and the same athlete at 11 or 12. A middle-of-the road player on the top competitive team 2005 can often beat out the top of the 2006. Maturity, size, speed often plays a big part of that.

Obviously, if you are comparing a player on a lower level 2005 team, that is different, but I am talking about the top players in the 2005 and 2006 age group at a top club.

So how many 2006 players will these top DA teams really put on their roster? Oh wait, I forgot -- its about development. So does that mean a promising 2005 is kicked from the DA roster for a 2006 to get on and "develop?" Then you put the 2005 back on the next year when it goes to single age again? What a disaster...
 
Bananacorner said:
OK, I understand combined age bands after puberty -- the level of play isn't as age-dependent when you are looking at girls that are 15 and 16 years old. But when you are talking about girls that are 11, 12 and 13, there is a HUGE difference between the average top competitive athlete at age 13 and the same athlete at 11 or 12. A middle-of-the road player on the top competitive team 2005 can often beat out the top of the 2006. Maturity, size, speed often plays a big part of that.

Obviously, if you are comparing a player on a lower level 2005 team, that is different, but I am talking about the top players in the 2005 and 2006 age group at a top club.

So how many 2006 players will these top DA teams really put on their roster? Oh wait, I forgot -- its about development. So does that mean a promising 2005 is kicked from the DA roster for a 2006 to get on and "develop?" Then you put the 2005 back on the next year when it goes to single age again? What a disaster...
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CalSouth had 5 "2006" girls make the ODP Regional team, I'm sure there are more out there that can hang with the best '05 players. I have a feeling most '06's will stay put though
 
2kDad said:
CalSouth had 5 "2006" girls make the ODP Regional team, I'm sure there are more out there that can hang with the best '05 players. I have a feeling most '06's will stay put though
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Agreed, there are always exceptions, but just doesn't seem logical to create age bands at this age. The 2005 teams could put those specific 2006 players on their 2005 DA team anyway, you don't need to create "bands" to do that. This year there are several 2004 teams that have 1 or more 2005 players on them, which is fine for a select few that have the maturity and skill to play up at a young age.

Going across the years having Band, No Band, Band, Band doesn't make sense to me --I would think it will create this weird vacuum in the U15 year where they don't have enough players for the roster.
 
Bananacorner said:
Agreed, there are always exceptions, but just doesn't seem logical to create age bands at this age. The 2005 teams could put those specific 2006 players on their 2005 DA team anyway, you don't need to create "bands" to do that. This year there are several 2004 teams that have 1 or more 2005 players on them, which is fine for a select few that have the maturity and skill to play up at a young age.

Going across the years having Band, No Band, Band, Band doesn't make sense to me --I would think it will create this weird vacuum in the U15 year where they don't have enough players for the roster.
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Has US Soccer actually approved a dual age group for 05/06? Or is this just listed on Del Sol's website to encourage 06 players to try out for the 05 team?
 
MarkM said:
Has US Soccer actually approved a dual age group for 05/06? Or is this just listed on Del Sol's website to encourage 06 players to try out for the 05 team?
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At this point there is no girls combined age group for o5/06' in ussda.

These are the current planned age groups for 18-19':

U-14 (2005), U-15 (2004), U-16/17 (2002/2003), & U-18/19 (2000/2001) 4 total for the girls

Composite or combined age groups don't start until U16 boys or girls.

Some of the boys clubs advertised U11/U12 as the start of the age bands this past season but boys da actually starts at U12 and the U11 bit was selective marketing, of course some played up but there is not a specific age group U13 grop (06') for the girls just like no U11 for the boys.
 
Bananacorner said:
So how many 2006 players will these top DA teams really put on their roster? Oh wait, I forgot -- its about development. So does that mean a promising 2005 is kicked from the DA roster for a 2006 to get on and "develop?" Then you put the 2005 back on the next year when it goes to single age again? What a disaster...
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When DA first started they were all going to be dual age bands. The official Q & A specifically stated that clubs were supposed to try as much as possible to have a 50/50 split. The theory was that it was good for development to have youngers play against olders every other year.

When posters here started saying some clubs were loading the teams with the older age group, I pointed out that Q & A, and no one really acknowledged it.

So the moral of story is, we are SoCal, we can't help ourselves. Barcelona trainers could come and promise us 5 world cups in a row if we commit to dual age bands with a 50/50 split, but we'd have to sacrifice winning along the way. I don't think we could do it.
 
Chris Knight said:
Yep.

https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/mzlyw0ld7v1c0wkbojo8o7m5bfy54c69
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Thanks for sharing. Feels like the borg is taking over by any means necessary. I feel bad for all the players that will be negatively impacted by the churn. These are kids who love the sport at the end of the day. Yes, the ‘cream will rise’ regardless. This new system is unnecessary...but I’m sure another fancy slideshow will be distributed next year ‘proving’ otherwise. Sorry, not trying to shoot the messenger...just shaking my head at the direction and decisions. Thx again for sharing!
 
I think it was two 06' calsouth G05 ODP travel team and some more in the pool.
Not a biggie, I think it is a power play against ECNL for going U13.
Cheaper to dual band rather than create a new band and get the same results.

But if I were a money grubbing schemer trying to pick the pockets of parents,
I would have more clear answer. I apologize. Sincerely.
 
Gokicksomegrass said:
I think it was two 06' calsouth G05 ODP travel team and some more in the pool.
Not a biggie, I think it is a power play against ECNL for going U13.
Cheaper to dual band rather than create a new band and get the same results.

But if I were a money grubbing schemer trying to pick the pockets of parents,
I would have more clear answer. I apologize. Sincerely.
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Happened in the reverse in NTX/Frontier. GDA announced the U13 group (solo age band this year) prior to ECNL creating theirs. And with the addition of boys, it seems the ECNL are the reactive side.
 
Chris Knight said:
Happened in the reverse in NTX/Frontier. GDA announced the U13 group (solo age band this year) prior to ECNL creating theirs. And with the addition of boys, it seems the ECNL are the reactive side.
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I think certainly ECNL is reacting with the addition of boys and the u13 group. They are trying to figure out the new landscape.

That said if DA is going to stay dual age band that really keeps ECNL alive and viable.

Why?

Well if according to ECNL 93% of their graduating class goes on to play in college and if that is correct then...
Since DA currently has dual age bands that means their graduating group each year is going to be roughly half (assuming the ages in each dual band is roughly 50-50) of what ECNL was producing with single age bands. As such colleges are still going to have to heavily recruit ECNL and other leagues in order to get the numbers they need.

Correct?
 
Zen said:
Thanks for sharing. Feels like the borg is taking over by any means necessary. I feel bad for all the players that will be negatively impacted by the churn. These are kids who love the sport at the end of the day. Yes, the ‘cream will rise’ regardless. This new system is unnecessary...but I’m sure another fancy slideshow will be distributed next year ‘proving’ otherwise. Sorry, not trying to shoot the messenger...just shaking my head at the direction and decisions. Thx again for sharing!
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I love the Borg reference as a Trekkie....
 
Gokicksomegrass said:
I think it was two 06' calsouth G05 ODP travel team and some more in the pool.
Not a biggie, I think it is a power play against ECNL for going U13.
Cheaper to dual band rather than create a new band and get the same results.

But if I were a money grubbing schemer trying to pick the pockets of parents,
I would have more clear answer. I apologize. Sincerely.
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5 '06's made the '05 ODP Regional team of 22, 3 got to travel to AZ & 2 were alternates. I think it was Beach, Legends, & West Coast and they brought home the championship.
 
Bananacorner said:
Agreed, there are always exceptions, but just doesn't seem logical to create age bands at this age. The 2005 teams could put those specific 2006 players on their 2005 DA team anyway, you don't need to create "bands" to do that. This year there are several 2004 teams that have 1 or more 2005 players on them, which is fine for a select few that have the maturity and skill to play up at a young age.

Going across the years having Band, No Band, Band, Band doesn't make sense to me --I would think it will create this weird vacuum in the U15 year where they don't have enough players for the roster.
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I agree with you, here in AZ we have a few girls playing up in age but they are the rare ones. There is no reason to create a Dual band at the 05/06 age, personally I think its to young as the majority of these kids have not matured and the commitment is to much at this age. Here DA practices 4-5 days a week and the field is a hike, so its a lot of windshield time. It impacts school and just them being kids, but the clubs prey on the parents. I still don't understand the single age band for just 04, in AZ our largest age group is the 03 and if any are single age band next year it should be the 03. It's single this current season but not next year so some current 03 kids may be left out.
 
azsnowrider said:
I agree with you, here in AZ we have a few girls playing up in age but they are the rare ones. There is no reason to create a Dual band at the 05/06 age, personally I think its to young as the majority of these kids have not matured and the commitment is to much at this age. Here DA practices 4-5 days a week and the field is a hike, so its a lot of windshield time. It impacts school and just them being kids, but the clubs prey on the parents. I still don't understand the single age band for just 04, in AZ our largest age group is the 03 and if any are single age band next year it should be the 03. It's single this current season but not next year so some current 03 kids may be left out.
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I’m going out on a limb, but I think having 5 DA teams would have out a large financial burden on the DA Clubs. 5 teams Training 4 nights a week creates time and space issues (DA teams are supposed to train at the same place on the same days). Also, hosting 5 DA games on a given day creates a time issue doesn’t it? 4 x 90 Min games with 1o Min halftimes and 30 Min between each game, plus 1 additional 80 Min game with a 10 Min half runs over 10 hours.

I am most likely just finding excuses for why they didn’t just add an ‘05 without Age Banding the ‘03’s.....but as it is with most things it could be the money.

Still a bummer!!!!

Especially with no other real alternative that offers the exposure of GDA or ECNL north of the OC.....so, will ECNL recognize the void and add an LA Club or will US Soccer get more behind DPL in order to keep ECNL From gaining strength? Maybe a good topic for another thread.
 
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