U14s do well on world stage

[Regs]

Wasn't too sure where to put this but the topic does have relevance to the National program. Apologies in advance if the mods here need to move it.

Did anyone here know that a group of U14 boys out of Vancouver recently won the Dana Cup in Denmark and then followed that up with a third place showing at the Gothia Cup in Sweden?!?!?!

Take a look at this thread on TTP where one of the fathers gives an account of how they did:

http://www.takethepiss.com/forums/community-introductions-general-%22chit-chat%22/12819-travelling-abroad.html

Third post in that thread is where it really starts.

Look at what someone in the BCSA supposedly told some of these boys - un-fricken-believeable!

This is a HUGE accomplishment that should be celebrated, especially considering now when the whole country believes our youth players, erm, suck.

I'm firing of an email now to a few people in the BCSA as well as CSA that I know and ask them for a direct explanation as to (1) if/when/who told these boys not to go with veiled threats; and (2) why they are not promoting the accomplishment.

Cheers,

~Regs.

[jpg75]

Let's hope the coach of the 2011 U17 NT does his own scouting and doesn't listen to some chump provincial coach/admin from the BCSA...

[Danny Boy]

quote:Originally posted by jpg75

Let's hope the coach of the 2011 U17 NT does his own scouting and doesn't listen to some chump provincial coach/admin from the BCSA...

an accomplishment is an accomplishment... don't be an ass. It's this kind of attitude that unfortunately permeates Canadian soccer and no wonder we can't get anything right.

[The Beaver]

quote:Originally posted by Danny Boy

an accomplishment is an accomplishment... don't be an ass. It's this kind of attitude that unfortunately permeates Canadian soccer and no wonder we can't get anything right.

Unless I am misreading your note, I think you've misunderstood jpg75.

[Danny Boy]

you are right... I thought he was referring to Regs... I take it back.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Dani Fernandes is one of the players who has gone on to success after training with Roman Tulis. He started quite late in soccer and Tulis was the person that got him on track from the start, before his tryouts with Oporto at age 16 think it was.

I am not sure though who got him the Oporto tryout, don't think it was Tulis, but don't think it was any family member back in Portugal either.

I wonder whether his loyalty to his mentor and relatively weak connections to BCSA sanctioned teams was a reason why Mitchell, that famous BCSA-CSA stalwart, made things so difficult for him.

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by Danny Boy

you are right... I thought he was referring to Regs... I take it back.

I was wondering what the hell i did? [?]

[Danny Boy]

quote:Originally posted by jpg75

I was wondering what the hell i did? [?]

Sorry mate... coffee didn't kick in yet... [)]

[brodycheese]

Ok can someone explain this to me: Why would they be blacklisted on the BCSA or CSA for being on this team? Why would we want our players NOT to get this exposure?

[ag futbol]

quote:

Take a look at this thread on TTP where one of the fathers gives an account of how they did:

http://www.takethepiss.com/forums/community-introductions-general-%22chit-chat%22/12819-travelling-abroad.html

Third post in that thread is where it really starts.

Look at what someone in the BCSA supposedly told some of these boys - un-fricken-believeable!

This is a HUGE accomplishment that should be celebrated, especially considering now when the whole country believes our youth players, erm, suck.

I'm firing of an email now to a few people in the BCSA as well as CSA that I know and ask them for a direct explanation as to (1) if/when/who told these boys not to go with veiled threats; and (2) why they are not promoting the accomplishment.

Cheers,

~Regs.

Pretty unreal to see something like that. I really hope it isn't true, although i wouldn't be suprized if it was. Hopefully more info will follow.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by brodycheese

Ok can someone explain this to me: Why would they be blacklisted on the BCSA or CSA for being on this team? Why would we want our players NOT to get this exposure?

Because the are not playing on a sanctioned team, they have their own club teams, but train extra with Tulis. They don't play as a team with Tulis. But he puts together teams for tournaments and they go out and compete. So the BCSA considers he is a rogue, however much they may in fact recognize his capacity as a soccer coach.

Tulis' son went to NCAA, whatever happened to him?

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

Because the are not playing on a sanctioned team, they have their own club teams, but train extra with Tulis. They don't play as a team with Tulis. But he puts together teams for tournaments and they go out and compete. So the BCSA considers he is a rogue, however much they may in fact recognize his capacity as a soccer coach.

Tulis' son went to NCAA, whatever happened to him?

This is true, but i think they drew the ire of the BCSA by "snubbing the Provincial program".

"The boys snubbed the Provincial program for this trip and it didn't please the powers that be. Some were told that they hurt their chances of ever playing for not only future provincial teams but also ever entering the national program"

The BCSA must have a serious hate-on for Roman Tulis or something...

Sidenote: I wonder how Coquitlam Ajax - who had 7 players on that Tulis team - fared for that month they were away?

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

Because the are not playing on a sanctioned team, they have their own club teams, but train extra with Tulis. They don't play as a team with Tulis. But he puts together teams for tournaments and they go out and compete. So the BCSA considers he is a rogue, however much they may in fact recognize his capacity as a soccer coach.

Tulis' son went to NCAA, whatever happened to him?

He was at University of Illinois-Chicago an played in 10 games in 4 years. Not a very impressive career by NCAA standards but he did graduated which is good by NCAA standards.

http://uicflames.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/tulis_roman00.html

[Regs]

quote:Sidenote: I wonder how Coquitlam Ajax - who had 7 players on that Tulis team - fared for that month they were away?

Their season would have been over by the time the trip happened - although I suppose if they were in the provincial finals for their age group, they might have missed that... looking at the results of that competition, I don't think the Ajax were in it.

Update: 2 of the 3 emails I sent received automatic vacation responders but I know they will answer when they get back mid-month as they are good personal friends. The third email hasn't been replied to yet...

Cheers,

Regs.

[ANC2]

Don't get carried away. I took a team to this tournament a while back.

The are way over 120 teams in one age group alone, various divisions (even junior high teams). We played a team called Gremio that were not even from Brazil. People on this site just jump at anything posted.

[Regs]

Good for you. Obviously your team did not do very well - why even make such a jackarse comment?

There are 2 very distinct important points in this topic; (1) A Canadian team did extremely well in a couple of highly-rated international youth tournaments - at a time when MANY are questioning our technical skill levels; and (2) the players were apparently issued vieled black-balled threats.

Cheers,

~Regs.

[ANC2]

quote:Originally posted by Regs

Good for you. Obviously your team did not do very well - why even make such a jackarse comment?

There are 2 very distinct important points in this topic; (1) A Canadian team did extremely well in a couple of highly-rated international youth tournaments - at a time when MANY are questioning our technical skill levels; and (2) the players were apparently issued vieled black-balled threats.

Cheers,

~Regs.

I am just making a statement that people on this site jump to conclusions, without actually knowing the level of play. Having been at the tournament, I am stating that the level varies.

On another note check the Dana Cup site

http://www.danacup.com/Home/winners_2007.htm

this is the results page of the competition

[cocabean13]

Wow, what a story! However, it's not the only great Canadian success story as the Ottawa Fury boys U16 team finished 3rd in the Foyle Cup in Ireland, which is the nation's premier youth torunament. In the semis, they lost only 2-1 to the FA of Ireland's developmental squad, and ended up winning the bronze medal game.

Now, I have to wonder about the provincial and CSA sanctioned programs as they are not getting the same results as the Fury and teams such as the U14 mentioned, are gettting at the international stage.

[Marco07]

quote:I am just making a statement that people on this site jump to conclusions, without actually knowing the level of play. Having been at the tournament, I am stating that the level varies.

On another note check the Dana Cup site

http://www.danacup.com/Home/winners_2007.htm

this is the results page of the competition

Umm, is it just me or can no one else see the team in the U14 level? Is that DJones character sure they won it?

[loyola]

Just a correction, it's an U-13 team, not U-14 as it was mentionned in the initial message.

They did indeed finished 3rd at the Gothia Cup but I can't find anything about them at the Dana Cup.

[DJones]

Someone has tipped me off about the discussion on this website so I'll field a few items that have come up since I started it. (Nice site by the way)

Yes we won the Dana Cup as there are two; one before the Gothia Cup (July 9-14th) and one after the Gothia Cup (July 23 - 28th). We entered the first one to prep before the Gothia Cup to get some game time in and get rid of the jetlag.

http://www.danacup.pp.se/Usa/Index.htm

The history behind the Dana Cup is interesting. The Gothia Cup was started be two guys in Gotenburg who had a falling out over some issues once it became really successful. One guy won the rights to the Gothia and the other decided to start the Dana Cup in Denmark which is only a ferry ride away. He decided to start one before and after the Gothia Cup to attract traveling teams who are going to the Gothia Cup. Like the Gothia Cup, they both become very successful.

The level of play. As in any tournaments, level of play will vary as MOST teams coming to the tournament are regional winners or runner-ups and are considered quite good in their region. As anywhere in North America, some regions are better than others so sometimes you will get teams that are out of their depth. After the group stage, the top two teams go into the 'A' pool and the bottom two teams go into the 'B' pool. This is where the tournament separates the really good teams from the pretty good teams. We finished first in both tournaments undefeated so we were in the 'A' pool. There are no various divisions as in a Metro, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The caliber of the top 'A' teams on the boy’s U13 (1994) side (they enter U14 here in Canada in September. That's why the title says 'U14 team') were excellent if not incredible in some cases. The level of importance to each team and the competitiveness turned up as each team played like they were representing their country. After each game, there were tears of joy for the winners and lots of tears of sadness for the losers. The tournaments were exactly what they are billed as... the biggest and best tournaments in the world. The professionalism of the organizers and the teams involved was amazing. Both towns virtually shut down to host the tourneys! The semi finals at Gothia were played right downtown (side by side) with thousands of people surrounding the fields with singing and chanting throughout.

I've taken teams up and down the West Coast and played some of the big tourneys (San Diego Surf Cup etc...) on this side of the continent with my youth teams, played at the highest levels as a player in the country and am not just some recreational parent who knows nothing about the game. I figure I'm a pretty good judge of the level of tournaments and caliber of play. My boy’s teams both play a year up (1994 played U14 last year instead of U13) and have done extremely well at home and whenever they've traveled. The reason we've done so much traveling is so that the boys would be comfortable when ever (if ever) this opportunity came up, for club or country. Obviously, it paid off!

The boys took this opportunity to represent their country very seriously and took to the task in a professional manner. The reason I brought the accomplishment to any attention was to let people know about a local Canadian youth team accomplishing something and to let people know that our young boys are technically as good as some of the best youth sides in these vast tournaments.

It wasn't a debate on how big this accomplishment was in global terms. I was hoping that it would turn into a discussion of where we go from here so that we can improve football in this country. Maybe this is the norm for youth sides to do this well in international tournaments.

If so, we need to revamp how we do things after the U16 age group.

Should teams travel more often to get this level of competition and competitive nature? I think so. This experience went a long way in providing a do or die situation at the highest level for some young boys who aspire to play for their country one day. IF they get that chance, this will be invaluable and something they can draw upon.

[DJones]

BTW: Congrats to the Ottawa Fury U16 team on their success in Ireland. Well done!

Traveling abroad and playing in these types of tournies will only do these teams, players, and programs a world of good!

If only more teams did the same.

Congrats again!

DJ

[The Beaver]

quote:Originally posted by DJones

Someone has tipped me off about the discussion on this website so I'll field a few items that have come up since I started it. (Nice site by the way)

Yes we won the Dana Cup as there are two; one before the Gothia Cup (July 9-14th) and one after the Gothia Cup (July 23 - 28th). We entered the first one to prep before the Gothia Cup to get some game time in and get rid of the jetlag.

http://www.danacup.pp.se/Usa/Index.htm

The history behind the Dana Cup is interesting. The Gothia Cup was started be two guys in Gotenburg who had a falling out over some issues once it became really successful. One guy won the rights to the Gothia and the other decided to start the Dana Cup in Denmark which is only a ferry ride away. He decided to start one before and after the Gothia Cup to attract traveling teams who are going to the Gothia Cup. Like the Gothia Cup, they both become very successful.

The level of play. As in any tournaments, level of play will vary as MOST teams coming to the tournament are regional winners or runner-ups and are considered quite good in their region. As anywhere in North America, some regions are better than others so sometimes you will get teams that are out of their depth. After the group stage, the top two teams go into the 'A' pool and the bottom two teams go into the 'B' pool. This is where the tournament separates the really good teams from the pretty good teams. We finished first in both tournaments undefeated so we were in the 'A' pool. There are no various divisions as in a Metro, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The caliber of the top 'A' teams on the boy’s U13 (1994) side (they enter U14 here in Canada in September. That's why the title says 'U14 team') were excellent if not incredible in some cases. The level of importance to each team and the competitiveness turned up as each team played like they were representing their country. After each game, there were tears of joy for the winners and lots of tears of sadness for the losers. The tournaments were exactly what they are billed as... the biggest and best tournaments in the world. The professionalism of the organizers and the teams involved was amazing. Both towns virtually shut down to host the tourneys! The semi finals at Gothia were played right downtown (side by side) with thousands of people surrounding the fields with singing and chanting throughout.

I've taken teams up and down the West Coast and played some of the big tourneys (San Diego Surf Cup etc...) on this side of the continent with my youth teams, played at the highest levels as a player in the country and am not just some recreational parent who knows nothing about the game. I figure I'm a pretty good judge of the level of tournaments and caliber of play. My boy’s teams both play a year up (1994 played U14 last year instead of U13) and have done extremely well at home and whenever they've traveled. The reason we've done so much traveling is so that the boys would be comfortable when ever (if ever) this opportunity came up, for club or country. Obviously, it paid off!

The boys took this opportunity to represent their country very seriously and took to the task in a professional manner. The reason I brought the accomplishment to any attention was to let people know about a local Canadian youth team accomplishing something and to let people know that our young boys are technically as good as some of the best youth sides in these vast tournaments.

It wasn't a debate on how big this accomplishment was in global terms. I was hoping that it would turn into a discussion of where we go from here so that we can improve football in this country. Maybe this is the norm for youth sides to do this well in international tournaments.

If so, we need to revamp how we do things after the U16 age group.

Should teams travel more often to get this level of competition and competitive nature? I think so. This experience went a long way in providing a do or die situation at the highest level for some young boys who aspire to play for their country one day. IF they get that chance, this will be invaluable and something they can draw upon.

Thanks for this. My gut tells me--and I am sure you agree--that boys in their mid teens need to start training regularly and at high a level as possible, which generally means some sort of affiliation with a professional club. Academies are great to a point, but in terms of accelerated development, day-in day-out professional training is vital, and certainly by age 16 you'd hope that the best 200 or more kids in Canada (of that age group) would be involved somewhere with a quality professional side, likely in their youth program. Travel like you described is useful, especially if it results in try-out opportunities in Europe, but travel alone does little to develop players. It is the daily regimen--and top notch coaching--that make the difference.

[aussoccerfan]

Anyone see this ?

http://duwisc.deepvision.ca/

http://www.welshsupercup.com/dartmouthufc.htm

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by ANC2

Don't get carried away. I took a team to this tournament a while back.

The are way over 120 teams in one age group alone, various divisions (even junior high teams). We played a team called Gremio that were not even from Brazil. People on this site just jump at anything posted.

That may be, but at a tournament held in the Costa Brava every Easter you get Canadian teams, like from Edmonton or TO, being killed by local sides, never mind the ones from the bigger clubs. Success at a tournament with over a 100 teams is impressive, and I am sure Tulis is doing a good job, as everything I have heard is positive about his vision of the game and developing players.