Ricardo06 Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 I never heard of these academies. That's quite shocking. I understand why some coaches may not agree with ntc and provincial systems but to take matter into their own hands and isolate themselves will see little success. I think the solution is to unify all bodies and work together as a whole exhausting as many resources as possible. There are a few academies in Edmonton but they only exist to supplement the existing programs put in place. Above all, their must be a better iniative of leadership from the top. For an example, I understand the ASA pay coaches from overseas to come over and coach the provincial teams during the summer. That's a lot of unnecessary expenses when we have bigger problems in mind. The idea is good but I don't think we are in the position to be spending for this right now especially when provincial player fees are so ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footyfanatic01 Posted April 8, 2005 Author Share Posted April 8, 2005 Your spot on fishman. Speaking from experience myself, I have several times been "boycotted" away from ASA. I know of 3 high level academies at the moment, 2 of which tell the players to shy away from asa, and one of which who doesn't really care . I also think I know the girls team your talking about (SWU Premiers 90's FC). Politics is leering its ugly head in ASA lately, and quite frankly its pissing me off. In the past has Edmonton always been better then Calgary at soccer?...or is it just a recent thing like the last couple of years? Another thing your spot on about is the ways the acadamies are formatted. The players parent's are told "your son will improve, and be one of the best in the city, to have a chance to play pro", so the parents fork out gobs and gobs of cash to these guys, when the TD's and Academy coach's have there own agenda in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Interesting how this raises the issue of public versus private soccer institutions. Mind you, I think we'd all agree that the best way to develop youth players is through professional teams who run their own youth programs. If an academy was attached to a pro club, then perhaps some of the problems that footyfanatic and others have raised could be avoided. I mean, the academies have one goal in mind: making money so that they stay alive. How do they achieve this goal: Fill the academy every year, even if that means promising bull**** to parents. I'm sure some academies are more responsible than this, but footyfanatic suggests otherwise. A professional club ALSO has one goal in mind: Making enough money to stay alive. However, the way to do so is by bringing fans to the games, selling merchandise etc, and they know that the best way to sell tickets and merchandise is to put a good product on the field, a winning product, and an exciting product. This makes player development very important. We need more pro teams and we need more pro teams with good youth systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutcy Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 "We need more pro teams and we need more pro teams with good youth systems." Yes we need more pro teams and yes we need more pro teams with good youth systems. But how much does the Whitecaps charge for their Junior programs, how much does the Toronto Lynx, and what about the Fury? Do some(if any) of the talented players can afford some of those costs? Or is it just bying the spot on those Junior programs for simply braging rights. Is this the way to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footyfanatic01 Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 Calgary Storm (back when it was around, which was 2003ish) had an youth teams for most age groups (Girls being the best and the most prominent). The cost was unreal that many of the best players couldn't even afford it. Hell, I think the tryout was like 50 bucks. In the Toronto area , where do all the good players play? Do they play in the Lynx system, or just random "club" teams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutcy Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 I'd say the OYSL is where most talented players and coaches strive to be in. This does not mean that all the talented players will be found there as many quality players sometimes would play a division lower for many reasons, one being coaching and other being distance. Now as for the Toronto Lynx juniors their programs 2 years ago was over $2000, and I would imagine it is about the same or more now. Do the best players play there? I'd say no, but they are trying to make it look like some type of developmental program,and are hoping to attract players by using the US scholarship tool. To answer your question, yes the best players are scattered playing all over in different clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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