I noticed not even a Pandemic could take down Pay to Play...

[Woobie06]

The benefit/value of club soccer is that it helps privileged kids get into universities they aren’t otherwise qualified for. Most openly admit they have no professional aspirations. Why not just play AYSO and join the local 4H club? Again, no professional aspirations so shouldn’t the focus be on academics? Or are you arguing that privileged kids with no professional aspirations are entitled to go to college and pretend to be professionals while focusing on academics? Please clarify.

I think the US women have done a great job so far because women have more opportunities in our great nation than they do in other countries. We need to make some adjustments however to continue having the same type success in the future. I don’t doubt that the privileged young ladies in the US pool are hard working. I have an extremely hard working privileged kid. But, I don’t think our pool should consist of all privileged kids. Soccer will greatly benefit by being more inclusive.

One more thing, if a kid is on your daughters team asking for assistance that’s not poor/needy enough for me. I’m talking about kids that would have to be reached through an after school program who’s parents are too busy or just don’t care.

On your first point, isn't that why kids, adults, etc., do extra things to boost their resume, profile, highlight the extras, try to sell you on their value? Applying for acceptance to a University is selling...selling yourself that you have value, belong, and can be additive to the student base. Additionally, if I am a motivated, have talent, and want to compete at a high level I may want more than what AYSO has to offer. Why remove or limit that option? Club Soccer in its current form evidently is not for you, which is cool and nobody has a problem with it.

I don't get the entitlement you mention....Everybody has an equal opportunity to apply to any college/university/job. Nobody has an entitlement to go to any university. Unfortunately everybody's circumstances are different and are not equal...they are not the same and never will be...some people hit the genetic lottery, some come from families with more money, less money, abusive parents, alcoholics, some are smart, thin, skinny, fat, athletic, some not so smart, some driven, some lazy....there is never going to be a truly level playing field and life is not lived on a curve. Just look at sports...some teams are better than others, more talent, better coaches, club/team has more money...should we start spotting weaker teams points?

 

[whatithink]

Rule 2.14 - the oldest rule in the book.

2.14. Permission to Travel (USYSA Rule 401)
Teams wishing to travel out of state or out of the country to play games must request and
obtain permission from Cal South in accordance with the procedures detailed in the Travel
and Tournament Manual.

I couldn't find the "Travel and Tournament Manual".

Does that apply to the letter leagues?

I know that the AZ association has the same thing, but only if you are registered with them. You only need to be registered with them if you play in their league. I know clubs/teams in AZ who are registered (maybe direct with US Soccer) but not with ASA, so all the ASA guidelines etc. never applied to them. As the players have reg cards, they can play in any tournaments they want. Those teams have practiced away (incl. mini scrimmages) through this whole thing (with sensible precautions I'll add), and not a single case of COVID.

 

[espola]

Does that apply to the letter leagues?

I know that the AZ association has the same thing, but only if you are registered with them. You only need to be registered with them if you play in their league. I know clubs/teams in AZ who are registered (maybe direct with US Soccer) but not with ASA, so all the ASA guidelines etc. never applied to them. As the players have reg cards, they can play in any tournaments they want. Those teams have practiced away (incl. mini scrimmages) through this whole thing (with sensible precautions I'll add), and not a single case of COVID.

I think that written between the lines is that Cal South's insurance won't apply out of "state" (which also includes northern California) unless you get travel papers.

 

[MacDre]

If your kid is half as talented as you say, you know why she shouldn't play AYSO.

Because she's score 5 goals in 4 minutes and ruin someone else's game.

My bad. I have limited experience with AYSO. But the 2007 AYSO team that I was familiar with seemed equally matched with the Blues 2007 team at Man City Cup.

 

[whatithink]

I think that written between the lines is that Cal South's insurance won't apply out of "state" (which also includes northern California) unless you get travel papers.

OK, but if you are not registered with them, the insurance wouldn't count anyway surely.

IDK if the letter teams register with Cal South though. Either way, there's plenty of teams travelling, so they are either getting the approval or ignoring the requirement or don't need it.

 

[MacDre]

On your first point, isn't that why kids, adults, etc., do extra things to boost their resume, profile, highlight the extras, try to sell you on their value? Applying for acceptance to a University is selling...selling yourself that you have value, belong, and can be additive to the student base. Additionally, if I am a motivated, have talent, and want to compete at a high level I may want more than what AYSO has to offer. Why remove or limit that option? Club Soccer in its current form evidently is not for you, which is cool and nobody has a problem with it.

I don't get the entitlement you mention....Everybody has an equal opportunity to apply to any college/university/job. Nobody has an entitlement to go to any university. Unfortunately everybody's circumstances are different and are not equal...they are not the same and never will be...some people hit the genetic lottery, some come from families with more money, less money, abusive parents, alcoholics, some are smart, thin, skinny, fat, athletic, some not so smart, some driven, some lazy....there is never going to be a truly level playing field and life is not lived on a curve. Just look at sports...some teams are better than others, more talent, better coaches, club/team has more money...should we start spotting weaker teams points?

I agree that applying to University should be about selling yourself and not buying your way in. Remember, women’s soccer doesn’t pay well and the ladies can make much more with a degree...right? Well damit focus on getting a degree or 2. Play rec ball and varsity sports.

Why is spending a substantial amount of time and money focusing on soccer for a kid that has no professional aspirations a good idea? Wouldn’t the time and money be better spent on where their talents lie?

 

[dad4]

My bad. I have limited experience with AYSO. But the 2007 AYSO team that I was familiar with seemed equally matched with the Blues 2007 team at Man City Cup.

Got it. AYSO mostly runs rec leagues, so I thought you meant recreational AYSO.

They also have different levels of club-ish teams with tryouts. Whether those are available varies by region.

What were you doing at Man City Cup? I thought you swore to never do club?

 

[espola]

Does that apply to the letter leagues?

I know that the AZ association has the same thing, but only if you are registered with them. You only need to be registered with them if you play in their league. I know clubs/teams in AZ who are registered (maybe direct with US Soccer) but not with ASA, so all the ASA guidelines etc. never applied to them. As the players have reg cards, they can play in any tournaments they want. Those teams have practiced away (incl. mini scrimmages) through this whole thing (with sensible precautions I'll add), and not a single case of COVID.

If the team s going to an out-of-state tournament, and using Cal South player cards, don't they need travel papers to be in compliance?

 

[whatithink]

If the team s going to an out-of-state tournament, and using Cal South player cards, don't they need travel papers to be in compliance?

Sure, I expect they do, if they are playing in a tournament, but probably not for a scrimmage. My question was, do the letter leagues register their players with Cal South, if not, then I guess they wouldn't need them. Even if they dual register, they can enter tournaments under the US Club soccer cards (say), and get around it.

 

[MacDre]

Got it. AYSO mostly runs rec leagues, so I thought you meant recreational AYSO.

They also have different levels of club-ish teams with tryouts. Whether those are available varies by region.

What were you doing at Man City Cup? I thought you swore to never do club?

My kid played pick up at Futbol Factory in Chula Vista before they converted to DV7. Coach Chikis ask her to join his team and invited her to the Man City Cup. My kid didn’t play because I hate the politics of breaking into a group of club parents. 1/2 feel threatened. While the other half are telling you how so and so sucks and needs to go.

I’m not interested in club but I would be interested in a Norcal GOAT team.

 

[Woobie06]

I agree that applying to University should be about selling yourself and not buying your way in. Remember, women’s soccer doesn’t pay well and the ladies can make much more with a degree...right? Well damit focus on getting a degree or 2. Play rec ball and varsity sports.

Why is spending a substantial amount of time and money focusing on soccer for a kid that has no professional aspirations a good idea? Wouldn’t the time and money be better spent on where their talents lie?

I could not agree with you more about education being the top priority. Some kids like video games, some like sports, drama, music, whatever their passion is outside of school. To me it’s like saying if your not going to be in a famous rock band, don’t fool around with instruments and singing...should only football players with pro aspirations play HS Football...why waste the time??? Lot of lessons to be learned by sports.

Sure time and money could be spent elsewhere...kids still need to be kids, and they can participate at high levels at activities without it being their profession...I guess as a parent you need to determine where your limits are regarding time, money, and the activity...my brother in-law is a musician...55 and plays every weekend, not pro, spends a lot of time doing it, it’s his hobby. What else should he doing? Is a passion of his, for me if my kids have a passion for something we try to encourage it. Never know what will spawn from it.

 

[MacDre]

I could not agree with you more about education being the top priority. Some kids like video games, some like sports, drama, music, whatever their passion is outside of school. To me it’s like saying if your not going to be in a famous rock band, don’t fool around with instruments and singing...should only football players with pro aspirations play HS Football...why waste the time??? Lot of lessons to be learned by sports.

Sure time and money could be spent elsewhere...kids still need to be kids, and they can participate at high levels at activities without it being their profession...I guess as a parent you need to determine where your limits are regarding time, money, and the activity...my brother in-law is a musician...55 and plays every weekend, not pro, spends a lot of time doing it, it’s his hobby. What else should he doing? Is a passion of his, for me if my kids have a passion for something we try to encourage it. Never know what will spawn from it.

So if your kid is passionate about soccer but academics are a priority why not just play rec ball and varsity sports in college? I see 55 year old men in TJ playing rec league games at a high level every weekend.

Again, I respectfully submit that the athlete without professional aspirations should focus on rec ball and varsity sports in college. No pressure while developing skill in a hobby they can participate in for life.

 

[youthsportsugghhh]

So if your kid is passionate about soccer but academics are a priority why not just play rec ball and varsity sports in college? I see 55 year old men in TJ playing rec league games at a high level every weekend.

Again, I respectfully submit that the athlete without professional aspirations should focus on rec ball and varsity sports in college. No pressure while developing skill in a hobby they can participate in for life.

I would submit (at least in the case of some of the girls I know) competing in club offers an atmosphere of higher training with other like minded girls that rec doesn't always afford. They want to compete against other girls at a higher level while also envisioning becoming doctors or lawyers in a phase of life after college. Additionally the path to playing college "varsity" has more exposure to college coaches than rec level gives.

Old men playing soccer in a TJ park is a lot different than teenage girls rec in CA.

 

[Woobie06]

So if your kid is passionate about soccer but academics are a priority why not just play rec ball and varsity sports in college? I see 55 year old men in TJ playing rec league games at a high level every weekend.

Again, I respectfully submit that the athlete without professional aspirations should focus on rec ball and varsity sports in college. No pressure while developing skill in a hobby they can participate in for life.

Respect your opinion. Just don't agree with it. All good.

 

[MacDre]

I would submit (at least in the case of some of the girls I know) competing in club offers an atmosphere of higher training with other like minded girls that rec doesn't always afford. They want to compete against other girls at a higher level while also envisioning becoming doctors or lawyers in a phase of life after college. Additionally the path to playing college "varsity" has more exposure to college coaches than rec level gives.

Old men playing soccer in a TJ park is a lot different than teenage girls rec in CA.

Why not seek an atmosphere of higher training for academics so they will have the requisite skill set to gain admission to a selective med school or law school and graduate at the top of their class?

Who cares if a player with no professional aspirations gets a better training atmosphere beside the coach that uses the money to buy the latest track suit?

 

[youthsportsugghhh]

Why not seek an atmosphere of higher training for academics so they will have the requisite skill set to gain admission to a selective med school or law school and graduate at the top of their class?

Who cares if a player with no professional aspirations gets a better training atmosphere beside the coach that uses the money to buy the latest track suit?

I don't understand your first question -- Who says they aren't? Med school and law school and whatever postgraduate level of education comes after your initial choice of college. Go to the college you want and once you get there setup where your next phase of Med school and law school get you to. Or make another choice once you get to college.

The girls care! They don't just want to be nerds or jocks they want both! Club soccer gets them more exposure to more schools and the training with consistent higher caliber players improves there skills to open the options of schools that want them to come play. More options means more choices, means they get to hold some of the cards in there future plans.

 

[tjinaz]

I think that written between the lines is that Cal South's insurance won't apply out of "state" (which also includes northern California) unless you get travel papers.

It doesn't have to the tournaments insurance applies. Wasn't there a big thread on here about litigation against the tournament organizers that was abandoned as it was shown you could never prove in court that the person was indeed infected at the soccer tournament and it would be thrown out. None of the letter leagues in AZ have to comply with any of AYSA's rules (Az youth soccer association) as they are not the governing body of the league the player's team is registered with.

 

[timbuck]

One more thing, I hate it when I hear about the financial opportunities in the alphabet leagues.

My kid wasn’t offered anything by Surf or Lamorinda. I felt a lil’ love from Deza though. When I inquired about assistance, I felt most were evasive. I was offended by the process and my kid will never play club.

I also think the claims that if a kid is talented they wont have to pay is complete BS. The kids that need assistance should be evaluated when they are around 6 years old not at 14 when they have been excluded from the game...pure unadulterated BS!!!

The financial aid process I’ve seen is that you need to sign the contract first. Then pay a full deposit. Then apply for financial aid and hope that they will help you out.
Maybe it’s different for a coveted player that clubs are fighting over.

 

[MacDre]

I don't understand your first question -- Who says they aren't? Med school and law school and whatever postgraduate level of education comes after your initial choice of college. Go to the college you want and once you get there setup where your next phase of Med school and law school get you to. Or make another choice once you get to college.

The girls care! They don't just want to be nerds or jocks they want both! Club soccer gets them more exposure to more schools and the training with consistent higher caliber players improves there skills to open the options of schools that want them to come play. More options means more choices, means they get to hold some of the cards in there future plans.

Seriously? Exactly why we will have a generation of weak entitled kids. So mommy and daddy thinks it’s a good idea to teach little Sally that she gets whatever she wants eh?

When my kid tells me what she wants I tell her that “people in hell want ice water” the world doesn’t care what she wants and life is not fair. What is the lesson learned by the girls by buying their way into university and pretending to be pro?

 

[El Clasico]

I don't understand your first question -- Who says they aren't? Med school and law school and whatever postgraduate level of education comes after your initial choice of college. Go to the college you want and once you get there setup where your next phase of Med school and law school get you to. Or make another choice once you get to college.

The girls care! They don't just want to be nerds or jocks they want both! Club soccer gets them more exposure to more schools and the training with consistent higher caliber players improves there skills to open the options of schools that want them to come play. More options means more choices, means they get to hold some of the cards in there future plans.

How many times have you been through the process and had this experience?

 

[Kicker4Life]

Seriously? Exactly why we will have a generation of weak entitled kids. So mommy and daddy thinks it’s a good idea to teach little Sally that she gets whatever she wants eh?

When my kid tells me what she wants I tell her that “people in hell want ice water” the world doesn’t care what she wants and life is not fair. What is the lesson learned by the girls by buying their way into university and pretending to be pro?

I push my girls to want things, doesn’t mean they are entitled to have it. Desire breads work ethic. I’m also one of the “Street smart supersedes Book Smart” guys, so take it all in context. Maybe it’s just 2 different means to the same end.