This is the same kind of stuff that the GDA mafia kept saying when I would point our why it was going to fail. You have a very limited world view if you think the options are to either accept what you’re being told or just go somewhere else.
Look, I’m just telling you what his going to happen and why and explaining to parents who might be on the fence about ECNL about the stupid commitments and expenses. Enough people are going to speak up so that eventually these dumb trips to LV for league games are going to stop. Either your ECNL club will go away, or ECNL will add more local clubs and/or re-align. It’s going to happen.
I agree that less travel is always better. I also agree that the cost is very expensive and can be very prohibitive. It is. It’s stupid expensive. Somebody has to pay though...somebody always pays. Coaching, fields, equipment, league fees, etc, etc. all cost money and the more “exclusive”/“elite” the league/club the more things cost. Those that have their livelihood attached to the model are less likely to make changes for the greater good that result in a decline in their income. Competitive youth sports is a Multi Billion Dollar Business (Real Sports on HBO had a good expose a year or so ago on it...very interesting watch if you have 30 Min). Look at the ridiculous Stay-and-Play edicts that we have all have to do. What a racket!!!! If it was not about money, why would they do that? You are paying for access, high level training, competition, Coach connections, accessibility to a pool of college coaches for the next level. Use the system for all the opportunities. It’s just a transaction like any service you purchase.
I don’t think travel was a key contributor to DA’s failure. I think HS Soccer, Sub Rules, Arrogance, and the dysfunction of US Soccer Leadership contributed much more. ECNL seems to have a more stable, patient, and “stay-the-course” mentality. Leadership always makes a difference.
For the Vegas and AZ Teams we had one trip each year, and those trips were comparable to going to San Diego for both DA and ECNL. One time we got lucky and got RSL at Silverlakes. All in all, longer drive, but about the same cost all in.
I hope you are right and the future does result in less travel/cost across the board. I also hope whatever happens it does not harm those geographies that have a lot to offer, and have invested in building strong programs. The more kids play, develop, and improve the better it is across the board for the game.
What do you propose as a current solution to those that want an option other than participate or don’t? What options do people really have today? I don’t think people have a limited view, I think they are being realistic on the options available today, now and not three years down the road in the timeframe it took GDA to fail.
