| one4gatr |
I know alot of folks here have kids that play sports of some sort. I was wondering if anyone here had kids that played soccer for a "competitive" league (not just a recreational league). My daughter is 8 about to be 9 and is a pretty talented player. She is beginning to get "recruited" by the competitive teams. She currently plays in a coed recreational league but after u-10 she has to play all girls. I wanted to get some insight on the pros and cons of a traveling competitive league.
BTW... SHE wants to play on the "competitive" level so its not me just trying to push her.
Thanks |
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| phins2rt |
one4gatr,
Get ready to open up the wallet!!! I think a season here can run $1500. YMMV. |
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| one4gatr |
| Not quite that much here yet. League fees run about $200 plus all the extras like matching uniforms, hotels, tournaments, etc... I know that the older "more" competitive ODP teams can get that expensive. Just wondering if it is really worth the expense and hassle. The club team we have here only travels in the NE of Florida so nothing more than a day trip for us at this point. |
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| laborlitigator |
| Competitive leagues and playdates. . . stuff I never heard of when I was growing. |
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| MDteX |
I have a 10 year old son who plays travel baseball and a 12 year old daughter who plays club volleyball. I’ve talked to parents who have been through this before and there seems to be a common thread amongst them. A kid normally doesn’t need to have “professional” (paid) coaching and lots of travel until they are at least 12 or older. Remember that most of the “clubs or teams” are actually businesses. They are there to make money, not necessarily to teach the athlete better skills and play at the next level. That’s not to say the young athlete will not benefit and learn while playing the club sport, hopefully they learn something, but that making a young athlete get better may not be their top priority. Making money is always a priority.
Luckily for me the baseball is relatively inexpensive at this age about $900 for uniforms and tournaments per season with volunteer coaches, but the volleyball is getting quite expensive--about $2500 for uniforms and tournaments per season and paid coaches. I’m still not sure paid coaches at this age are a benefit. |
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| andreseng |
Start her now. Mine started "travel soccer" a little later than I would have wished and she regrets it to this day. The longer they are in that environment the better they will become. It builds them up so much. Not to mention the camaraderie. It keeps them busy and out of trouble.
I coach my daughters travel U-15 team right now. She has a tough time separating coach from Dad but I know one day she will look back on the time we spent together and realize what she had.
The majority of my girls are excellent (honors) students. When your daughter gets up to High School ball she will have a real shot at making the team. An added bonus is soccer practice for HS generally starts 3-4 weeks before school actually does. She will become friends with upper class-man. It made the transition from middle school a lot easier. No stress. I know that may seem like a long way off but it will be here before you know it.
The cons are far outweighed by the pros it's not even close. It is money well spent. And costs do vary by league. Our club is a non-profit (Police Atlethic League) so costs are kept in check. We employee professional trainers and they do make a difference if they can communicate properly. Look around and talk to the coaches. Ask about the qualifications of their trainers. Make sure you know and approve of their coaching style. Then let her loose!!!!
If you'd like to discuss this more feel free to PM me.
George |
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| one4gatr |
Thanks for the input George. I coached my daughters team (u-10) for the last time this past season. She has played 9 seasons now and Dad has taught her as much as he can.
Our club league is also non for profit so the costs are fairly reasonable. I need to take a look around at the other area clubs to see what they have to offer in the way of "competitive" soccer.
The one thing our club does that I dont particularly agree with is they allow the returning "competitive" players to retain their position on the team without again trying out. For example the U-10 girls competitive team had only one open position. I can for a fact tell you that 3 or 4 of the girls who tried out for that team are clearly better than 50% of the old squad. But because only 1 player didnt come back they could only add 1 player to the team.
The problem my daughter faces now she is head and shoulders better than 95% of the u-10 recreational players so her development is beginning to slow.
I agree with you whole heartedly about the camaraderie thing. She has made so many new friends through the elite camps and clinics
its not even funny. Everywhere we go she says hey there's so and so from the whatever camp. |
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| andreseng |
I agree with your assessment of your club. That may be right for some folks but it doesn't sound right for you. Some teams are more social then competitive. That team you're describing sounds more social, which is fine for someone that's looking for that.
I just cut a girl who was with me from the beginning, one of the originals (5 years). She started getting lazy, not showing up for practice, coming to games late. Then didn't even show up for tryouts. She was one heck of a ball handler. Doesn't matter. Not good for the team. The message reverberated through the team. No one is late anymore. As a matter of fact one parent even told me how his daughter was crying because her mother didn't get a note from the doctor. She thought I was going to cut her for having strep throat!
Yes, there are different types of teams and you and your daughter need to figure out what the right mix is for your family.
All the best! |
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| one4gatr |
| Wow... was looking for a different thread and found this one and felt I should update... well girly girly is now becoming mini woman... still excelling at he soccer... dad had to throw a fit to remove a "slug" of a "competetive" coach but finally have a "well" trained and more than appropiate coach... thought I would throw in a few pics of the 10 YO....ok first one... setting up for the PK outside the 18.... |
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| one4gatr |
| starting the run... she actually scored on this PK... painted the left side of the net... over the wall and bent it in... boy was dad proud... disappointed i missed the shot and campaigned for a new camera to no avail.... |
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| one4gatr |
| Another PK... better shot of her "cranking" it.... |
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| one4gatr |
| Who says 10yo girls dont play physical...lok at those jerseys... |
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| one4gatr |
| Ok.. last one to save bandwidth... daddy's girl directing traffic... just need to find a way to keep her interested before they BOYS set in.... |
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| Warzau |
| Wow I'm surprised I never saw this thread. I used to play soccer competitively and guess what my knees paid for it. Creaking and cracking going down the stairs. She looks good. Good Luck, psst her jersey needs to get a little dirty:2: |
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| one4gatr |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
Wow I'm surprised I never saw this thread. I used to play soccer competitively and guess what my knees paid for it. Creaking and cracking going down the stairs. She looks good. Good Luck, psst her jersey needs to get a little dirty:2:
Thanks... actually in the one picture where she is locked up with the other girl (when not downsized) you can see her bloodied knee. She seems to find a way to get dirty or "injured" every game. She is always griping about the elbowing or stepping on feet etc... she is a drama queen though. Her coach told her last weekend that "injuries" were part of the game and to suck it up... |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by one4gatr
Thanks... actually in the one picture where she is locked up with the other girl (when not downsized) you can see her bloodied knee. She seems to find a way to get dirty or "injured" every game. She is always griping about the elbowing or stepping on feet etc... she is a drama queen though. Her coach told her last weekend that "injuries" were part of the game and to suck it up...
True but tell her to "listen" to her body. If it hurts that she can't bear it, speak up. I still dread the day my Dr tells me I need knee replacements. Right now he says I can prob get away with cadaver for my worn meniscus. I still haven't done anything yet. I would post my nice 5 inch scar of my right knee. :eek: from a previous surgery. |
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| one4gatr |
| Oh we definately watch out but in this case the coach was joking with her. She just tends to carry on about things a little more then most. She has never injured her knee or ankle it always someone elbowing or stepping on her toes etc... and she will run with it. Her coach is all about having fun. |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by one4gatr
Oh we definately watch out but in this case the coach was joking with her. She just tends to carry on about things a little more then most. She has never injured her knee or ankle it always someone elbowing or stepping on her toes etc... and she will run with it. Her coach is all about having fun.
Hey tell her to watch elbows too. My brother got elbowed in the eye during a game. Had to go to the ER, turned out his socket was fractured. The guy was thrown out of the league for it. Thank goodness her coach isn't one of those hard asses who's only view is to win win win. It takes the fun and life out of the game. |
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| one4gatr |
| Yeah our league is pretty clean. You have an occaisional issue but for the most part pretty good. Problem is most of your ref's are really young and they are afraid to blow the whistle or hand out cards. As far as her coach he is great. He tries to have a good balance of fun/work. No laps. He told me that most youth girls stop playing around 13 due to burnout so we are trying to be careful... |
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| gmc74 |
Hey gatr
Check out the Olympus SW series, I have a 790SW. They are only around $200-250 (probably less because a new model came out).
They have fantastic modes for action shots, as well as a mode that takes 10 pictures in a row when you hold the button down, which would have been perfect for your shot.
It is water proof (i.e. under water), freeze proof and shock proof. It is great for things like this.
It isn't as nice as a dSLR, but it fits in your jeans pocket too. |
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| one4gatr |
quote:
Originally posted by gmc74
Hey gatr
Check out the Olympus SW series, I have a 790SW. They are only around $200-250 (probably less because a new model came out).
They have fantastic modes for action shots, as well as a mode that takes 10 pictures in a row when you hold the button down, which would have been perfect for your shot.
It is water proof (i.e. under water), freeze proof and shock proof. It is great for things like this.
It isn't as nice as a dSLR, but it fits in your jeans pocket too.
Cool... will do thanks for the tip. Very timely too as I just broke my FUJI... dropped it and the battery door doesnt latch properly anymore... Will be buying one in the next month as we are taking a long trip and will need it. Was at Target this weekend and they had the Nikon D40 package (2 lenses, mem card, etc...) for $599.00. May go that route but will definately check your suggestion and perhaps save a few $$$. |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by one4gatr
Cool... will do thanks for the tip. Very timely too as I just broke my FUJI... dropped it and the battery door doesnt latch properly anymore... Will be buying one in the next month as we are taking a long trip and will need it. Was at Target this weekend and they had the Nikon D40 package (2 lenses, mem card, etc...) for $599.00. May go that route but will definately check your suggestion and perhaps save a few $$$.
I was looking at the Olympus ( gasp ) being a Nikonian it was blasphemy. But like the waterproof and shockproof,etc. But the reviews on picture quality was below average. So I just ended up getting a Fantasea enclosure for my Nikon S50c. Doesn't make it shock proof, but it's good for winter, beach, and snorkeling. :) |
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| one4gatr |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
I was looking at the Olympus ( gasp ) being a Nikonian it was blasphemy. But like the waterproof and shockproof,etc. But the reviews on picture quality was below average. So I just ended up getting a Fantasea enclosure for my Nikon S50c. Doesn't make it shock proof, but it's good for winter, beach, and snorkeling. :)
Yeah I come from the 35mm slr ilk... kinda of a tweener though... grew up with polaroid instamatics... dad was kind of an amature photo bug back in the day with a kodachrome and then an olympus that doubled the roll with half frame pics. I went digital when they first came out then to 35mm slr. Sorta of miss the mystery of paper waiting to see how the pics came out. Love the idea of being able to update/change lenses when I want so if I can swing it will go digital SLR. Bonus check comes end of the month so we shall see... never tried an enclosure but bought a disposable a while back for around 15$ and it did a great job in the pool... not too sure if I could stomach putting something over that price in harms way.... |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by one4gatr
Yeah I come from the 35mm slr ilk... kinda of a tweener though... grew up with polaroid instamatics... dad was kind of an amature photo bug back in the day with a kodachrome and then an olympus that doubled the roll with half frame pics. I went digital when they first came out then to 35mm slr. Sorta of miss the mystery of paper waiting to see how the pics came out. Love the idea of being able to update/change lenses when I want so if I can swing it will go digital SLR. Bonus check comes end of the month so we shall see... never tried an enclosure but bought a disposable a while back for around 15$ and it did a great job in the pool... not too sure if I could stomach putting something over that price in harms way....
The cool thing is Fantasea has a flood insurance, for a year. If it fails they reimburse you for a new camera. Before they bought you a compatible camera and sent it to you. Now you have to buy it and they send you a check. |
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| gmc74 |
I hope that works well for you.
That is odd about the reviews, I have had good luck with the photo quality, and it has a fantastic tool for sewing the pictures together for panoramics Like this one
I am clumsy, so the shock proof was a big plus for me... |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by gmc74
I hope that works well for you.
That is odd about the reviews, I have had good luck with the photo quality, and it has a fantastic tool for sewing the pictures together for panoramics Like this one
I am clumsy, so the shock proof was a big plus for me...
You know, you're right it's not so bad. They make it sound as if has pixelation,etc,etc... I might look at it again next time Im at costco. |
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| one4gatr |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
I was looking at the Olympus ( gasp ) being a Nikonian it was blasphemy. But like the waterproof and shockproof,etc. But the reviews on picture quality was below average. So I just ended up getting a Fantasea enclosure for my Nikon S50c. Doesn't make it shock proof, but it's good for winter, beach, and snorkeling. :)
Well... pulled the trigger on the Nikon d40 kit yesterday at Target... The price is really a steal from what I have seen. I am EXTREMELY pleased. First the Kit has everything you need to get going. But what really impressed me was the camera itself. I cant believe I waited this long to buy a digital SLR. I read all the reviews on the d40 and they seemed to be pretty positive across the board. This thing shoots 2.5fps (which per the "experts" is slow). I cant believe how many pictures I shot in 3 hours yesterday (964 @6.1mp). And this was on a half charged battery. Needless to say I am totally impressed. Anyone want to buy my old Canon Rebel G? Lol... Honestly this things performs as good as if not better than my old Canon. I would be happy to share details if anyone is interested but just thought I would close the book on what I decided to purchase. |
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| andreseng |
Well I kind of fell off of here when the 2nd gen rolled out. Just checking in and good to see your daughter is doing so well. Mine has hung her cleats up and so did the rest of the team shortly there after.
I thought I was done coaching. I took one season off. As I'd pass by a field it killed me. So for the last year I've been coaching 6-7 year old rec players. A ton of fun.
They're now trying to recruit me to take the team out competitively. But I don't know if the Mrs. is going to go for that.
I encourage any of you with daughters though to get them in a sport. It helps with many issues in life. Delays a lot of things too! ;)
Hope everyone here is doing well....
G |
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