It's not really that different than sending ones child to a boarding school that emphasizes sports (whether coed or not). Or a boarding school for girls only. For example-IMG Academy (Florida), or FCBEscola, or Chatham Hall.
Turning Pro at 13
- Thread starter sdb
- Start date
Well said. If its the kids drive and goals, and not just the parents, I don't have a problem with it (well, actually its none of my business). There does appear to be some inequities between sports and genders, but some of that may be contact related.
I understand that these scenarios don't work at well for some, but it has for others. I wish her the best of luck and hope she does everything on her own terms.
No judgement from me bro. I can;t imagine sending my dd to some boarding school or soccer house at 12 or 13. This is crazy ass shit. I told you years ago that some ((not all!!!!)) Docs were whacked bro. I'm sorry for beating a dead horse but man, the shit I heard from some were insane. I know they do this in Europe but not in my house. I swear if I could have taped the convo I had with this Doc you would be concerned. Peace to all of you.
If her parents are the ones dreaming it and Olivia would prefer to stay local and play with her peers to establish friendships, I hope her parents snap out of it soon.
Emma, read the article. OM is quoted as saying it's her dream, not dads dream. Parents have their own dreams as well and sometimes dreams co-mingle. Let the dreamers dream and let's see what happens. Remember, good always winds out at the end
It's good to see you posting again Emma Me too.
Yousername
SILVER
YOU?!!! Shocker!!!I love it
foreveryoung
SILVER ELITE
I don't think it's as always as simple as this. Many kids don't feel like they can speak up about their own desires, or they feel an immense desire/responsibility to please their parents. That definitely could be in play here. There are plenty of stories of people in professions that took many years of school that felt completely forced into by their parents. I also don't think kids really grasp the sacrifices they are making or what's really involved and it shouldn't just be "what the kid wants". It needs to be a carefully thought through "family" decision. These kind of sacrifices also impact siblings. That said I also think that supporting your child's dream is valid. It's just not as black and white if it's the kid's dream then it's okay. Kids can be heavily influenced into what their dream should be or what "success" looks like and parents are often not even conscious they are doing it.
Can't judge OM's situation because I have never watched her play. However, the rest of the world are allowing their young players to play pro and get paid at at least 16. College soccer IN GENERAL is a waste of time if you want to go pro. The season is short and you're required to play 2 games a week which takes a toll on the body and means that practice can't be too intense because you are either recovering from a game or going into a game. And a player can't grow as much in college as they could playing with experienced, older pros. And the coaches aren't necessarily the best fit for an elite player.
That being said the NWSL is known for being a solid comp where every team is very good - unlike the European Leagues where only the top 2 or 3 are very good. This would mean to me that it would be very hard to get on the pitch as a 15 yo in the NWSL as opposed to a team at the bottom of the German League.
Anyways bravo OM for paving the way for other USWNT hopefuls and helping the US keep up with the rest of the world.
What a bunch of negative, mean, jealous people on this thread. What do you care what she is doing? You're kid got their little scholarship. Why are you pulling others down that are choosing a different path?
That being said the NWSL is known for being a solid comp where every team is very good - unlike the European Leagues where only the top 2 or 3 are very good. This would mean to me that it would be very hard to get on the pitch as a 15 yo in the NWSL as opposed to a team at the bottom of the German League.
Anyways bravo OM for paving the way for other USWNT hopefuls and helping the US keep up with the rest of the world.
What a bunch of negative, mean, jealous people on this thread. What do you care what she is doing? You're kid got their little scholarship. Why are you pulling others down that are choosing a different path?
Yousername
SILVER
My only take on this has to do with the disparity between men and women in sports. Our family has always operated on the assumption that, while in high school, no matter what accolades our daughter gets, the goal for her is to get to college. Soccer is great, but as a profession, women don’t make what the men are making out there. And if she retires, quits or injures herself, as a woman, there isn’t a solid fall back plan without a college degree. She needs to be able to take care of herself for the rest of her life. She will readily admit she more athlete than student, but she also understands that the academics is where it is to set her up long term.
Every family has to do what’s right for themselves and their kid. For us, it was making sure that she has short and long term aspirations, both on and off the field.
Every family has to do what’s right for themselves and their kid. For us, it was making sure that she has short and long term aspirations, both on and off the field.
Soccerfan2
GOLD
I tend to agree with you. She seems genuinely in love with soccer and she’s going after her goals full on. Her parents don’t seem unreasonable to me. It’s not the path I would choose for my child for many of the reasons others have stated, and I don’t really get the rush, but who am I to judge what they choose or second guess their motivations. She rightly has brought attention the the fact that many others in this sport and other sports can compete professionally at her age.
I’m not sure the all criticisms are jealousy or meanness. Some people just see the risks as too great. But, we don’t all have to walk the same path and there’s more than one way to experience the world thank goodness.
It's not the path (and hers is not a new one or she is paving the way). It's how the path has been set for her. From your first sentence it appears you do not know much about her other than what has been posted. There is much more to this that a few of us on here know, have seen, and understand.
Respect your right to an opinion but to diminish the importance of a college education or belittle a “little” scholarship is dangerous. And even more so on the girls side.
Throughout Europe where there is no educational “safety net” if you fall short at any level in the climb
to pro, you’re unceremoniously jettisoned from the team and dream... to do what??
If my daughter got the attention and opportunities that Ms Moultrie has had put before her, I too would encourage my kid to go for it. But she hasn’t been given those invitations. And I’m willing to bet very very few of your kids have either - Ms Moultrie’s situation is so rare (Heck, it’s actually one of a kind).
Tough to even think of squashing my daughter’s dreams and I won’t. But here on this forum, I take the position of a sensible parent.
SoccerFan4Life
PREMIER
The kid clearly is good and loves soccer. The parents knew what they were getting into so why now bring up a lawsuit. The smarter play would be let her grow up and continue to love the sport with competitive soccer locally before getting her stuck in a lose lose situation. It’s not jealousy but more of the lack of missteps from the parents. Fame and glory looks amazing until it’s not.
Why can't she play pro AND get a college degree? With universities online these days it's even more possible. Teams don't train all day.
In Europe a lot of pro players are getting university degrees while they are getting paid to play. And in most countries the cost of university is low or in some cases free. Of course they have a safety net - it's called family and the government.
This isn't about the girl. It's about the right to play pro at 16 (15 if parents are with you). This age is set by FIFA. She opening doors for those girls who aren't academic and want to chase their dreams because they can't afford to move to Europe to play.
It's ok to not be academic and not want to go to university. Nothing wrong with getting a trade.
It's ok to not be academic and not want to go to university. Nothing wrong with getting a trade.
Do you really believe she decided to sue NWSL? She is 15 years old. She did not make this decision. Her parents and lawyers did. And, they are using her name to do so.