High School vs Club

[Kevin Denson]

Do you agree with the concept that US Soccer is implementing?
NO HS SOCCER ALLOWED
Where will this take us?
Is HS soccer that limiting in terms of development?

[Jason Pendleton]

As a high school coach I clearly have a bias, but I dont believe the academy system is going to accomplish its goal of creating more elite level player. There are 78 academies and there is no way we have that many kids who will develop into professional caliber players. THe same kids that have opportunities now would have them if the academies did not exist. Having said that, since the US federation has spoken and its a done deal and I hope it makes us more competitive at the international level.

[Joe Cummings]

If you wish to see the position of the NSCAA in this matter, consult the Constituent Groups section of our website for a position paper issued by the NSCAA last October relative to choices that players should have in deciding what teams to play on/for.

Thank you.

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[Administrator]

Another view that just came out from Mike Woitalla, focusing on the DA with Richmond Kickers.

http://www.socceramerica.com/article...ol-qa-lei.html

[Kevin Sims]

If this was truly all about player development, then quite an effort would be made to judge what is best for each player under their personal circumstances. I think the 10-month program and option are great, yet also believe strongly that there are numerous high school coaches and high school programs and high school facilities that clearly advance the development of the whole player. In these cases, the Development Academy would do well to honor the player's desire to play high school and welcome them into the Development Academy activities during the other months. Academy play for 7 months plus quality high school play for 3 months could be the absolute best-case for numerous players. The Academy program should not force a player to choose between the two. The high schools would gladly support the Academy, to the Academy's great benefit as well, under this player-first developmental approach.

[Greg Mauch]

If this program was everything they claim it is they would not have to mandate participation. The vast majority of these players will gain little and give up a great deal. Parents need to think carefully about the whole picture.

[Jason Pendleton]

Kevin and Greg I think you are spot on! I had a discussion with a parent of a kid who is trying to decide what to do the other day. He is a back up gker on his academy team. Never travels, rarely plays, and is never allowed to train or play on the field (which he does for my HS team quite a bit). He is frustrated and not having any fun but is getting pressured to commit to the academy. Not good!

on another quick note, Kevin I got your phone message after the convention. Sorry we could not connect before.

[Jeffrey Geller]

I think their efforts might be the right idea for the top 5% of players in USDA's. For the other 95% who don't have a realistic chance of playing professional or high level D1, let them play HS.

Don't force a role player or a player who sits your bench to forego his HS season.

[Kevin Sims]

Food for thought ... http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/25...forced-to.html

If the Development Academy was pursuing this option for the truly elite, few of us would hesitate to throw our full support behind the movement to make US soccer the best. But right now we are talking about approximately 4,000 players as the DA program seeks to grow even more. Are marginal DA players really being served through this? Are 4,000 players on the cusp of major college soccer scholarships ... or professional soccer ... or national team duty? Clearly ... no.