Victoria Highlanders FC

[ThiKu]

VIW played a mini-season Sept-Nov along with the rest of the league. So yes, the full season starts in March 2012, but they have already started...

I didn't say VIW and HFC weren't working together, I said they are competing for players. HFC and VIW will advertise themselves as the best option. That doesn't mean the directors of the clubs don't work together otherwise.

I asked if HFC was pay-to-play because if it was free then there'd be no competition for youth. The best would go to HFC where they could play for free. But as it is pay-to-play (which makes perfect sense, don't get me wrong), that reinforces that the programs are competing for players.

Yes, competition is good as it keeps VIW and HFC staff on their toes to provide the very best. And if HFC move on to professional levels then yes, I'd hope the VIW program was a feeder. But then the issue becomes do VIW continue in the BCPL or simply fold into the HFC system - unless HFC developed a residency in which case they'd take kids from all over like WFC....

It's a bit tough though, you know? HFC have a PDL team that gives a lot of exposure. But VIW also now has the eye sight of the PTP, NTC, and Whitecaps. Lots of exposure. So the players are a bit pulled. And since both are pay-to-play. I just wonder why HFC didn't make their own BCPL application. I'll never get an answer and it's a rhetorical question I put out there.

Regardless, I am very much a supporter of HFC and hope they can move up through the standards and reach a D2 NASL or Canadian D2....

[ted]

Wow, thanks for asking the questions because with no kids in the system I had not really paid any attention to he whole HPL/BCSPL thing. I just finished reading through the thread on this site and poking around the BCSPL site and am quite disturbed.

It looks to me like what has been created is essentially a huge feeder system for the Vancouver Whitecaps built on the backs of parents of kids in local soccer clubs. I guess HFC did not have the money or will to compete against a LISA/UISL bid so not making an application makes sense to me. The TSS bid was rejected so I would think an HFC bid would have been dumped as well.

In the end though, I think HFC will have to build our academy system anyway and VWFC seem to still be running their own program as well using the BCSPL as a place to scout. I have serious doubts that the BCSPL program will really have a significant impact on the professional careers of young players but I see no real downside for HFC. Highlanders staff can scout BCSPL teams pretty easily. The real negative is the parents of players who are being sold a bit of a fairy tale. But then that would make us just like the rest of the soccer world where every parent wants to believe little Carlos or Johnny or Gupta or Yao is the next Beckham and paying $$$ to X team/academy/school will get them there.

[ThiKu]

You raise a good point, maybe HFC bid would have been rejected. But I think HFC and TSS are different in that HFC builds toward an adult system - though TSS now has a women's premier team (credit to them!).

Yes, BCPL is a feeder for Whitecaps. But this is a great thing! Yes, it's "costly" in the registration fee. BUT, for any kid that was playing metro and SYL the registration fees for BCPL are higher or lower depending on the kid (many of whom were also doing TSS or Roman Tulis etc on top of metro and SYL)...people see the straight-up number and think "wow, that's high" but it works out to similar/same/lower/higher give or take.

I would think HFC wouldn't have an issue with finances for a BCPL team. You get the bid, then the players will come, pay the fees then you can cover travel, field, uniform, insurance, and coach costs (and whatever else....). At least should be able to.

Yes, HFC can scout the BCPL teams and Whitecaps can scout HFC. So there are choices Island kids can make of course. Whatever works out best for each individual family. Keeping in mind though that getting into Whitecaps program is a "more direct" route to MLS while HFC maxes out at PDL. Yes, HFC is a great program, and will continue to great things. But that is a difference.

Will BCPL work out as benefiting a lot of kids to become pro? Doubt it. Some will of course get snagged by the Whitecaps, and the odd one will get through to MLS but most in Whitecaps will move on to university or lower tier soccer and some will move on to Europe (Adam Straith, Edwini-Bonsu, and Kyle Porter being examples).

I haven't seen any BCPL team advertise by saying "we are your route to pro soccer" but rather "we are the highest level environment available". I am not seeing any of them making big promises. They are however saying "The Whitecaps and BC PTP will scout." And they have. Whitecaps have the Adidas Tournament (u16-u18), a college showcase tournament, and now a u10-u14 cup. Not sure how the u15 group got missed - but maybe they will go into the adidas tournament. Regardless, all the clubs can do is put the kids in front of the Caps, it is up the kids to perform, and up to the Caps to see the potential......

I have high hopes for BCPL. I have high hopes for HFC who are clearly a class program, and I hope they can work with VIW (it seems they are) for the long-term......I also would like to see university programs get involved. Although that isn't easy of course because kids not only need the grades but they need the desire and financial ability to attend the universities. But if UVIC, UBC, SFU, and UFV can all become a part of the BCPL all the better....by "a part" I really don't know what that can mean! Scouting, exhibition games ... I don't know. I guess that's what the Whitecaps college showcase will be for.

Anyway, thank you very much Ted for the info. I am sorry for going off topic and on to BCPL...

Here's hoping the HFC can reach the highest level of pro soccer available and we can all watch them in the NCC one day play against Maritimes FC or Ottawa, or WSA Winnipeg or VANCOUVER in a derby! My short dealings with HFC were top class and I wish them all the best.

[Blue and White Army]

Victoria Highlanders' PDL season begins next weekend - the first season as a partly-supporter-owned club. Who will be attending?

[ted]

Well, obviously me.

[ted]

Slow start to the season and recent results elsewhere and I came up with this:

[The Ref]

Ian Bridge has parted ways from the Highlanders. Wonder what the hell happened. Bridge is a good coach.

[ted]

Ian Bridge has parted ways from the Highlanders. Wonder what the hell happened. Bridge is a good coach.

What the hell happened is second from the bottom at the half-way mark of the season.

What happened is a defensive-minded coach whose defense has been shaky this season.

What happened is a coach who has never shown an ability to make tactical substitutions.

[ThiKu]

"never shown ability to make tactical substitutions."

ted were you this hard on Bridgey last year when they made the playoffs? (or has my memory failed me and they didn't make them last year?)

[Jason]

I realize this is diverting the topic off of Bridge, but how has the year been for the Highlanders off the field? Did the fan ownership idea work well? How is attendance?

Jason

[ted]

"never shown ability to make tactical substitutions."

ted were you this hard on Bridgey last year when they made the playoffs? (or has my memory failed me and they didn't make them last year?)

Actually yes we did. We may not have been as loud about it as the team did manage to make the playoffs and we hoped maybe he had learned something but clearly it was not enough. The straw that broke the camel's back (actually more of a falling anvil) was the total collapse against the Whitecraps who were down a man. The same team we drew against at home to open the season. Martin Nash clearly learned something from that game and adapted. Ian Bridge clearly did not.

Now, you can take your trolling bull**** and **** off since you give not one **** about this and are simply trying to attack me personally by insinuation. We may disagree but I never come and **** on you in threads about your teams. That is just a low ****ing blow. Maybe I need to finally put you on "ignore" if this is the sort of cheap shot you are going to take.

I realize this is diverting the topic off of Bridge, but how has the year been for the Highlanders off the field? Did the fan ownership idea work well? How is attendance?

The community ownership plan is popular but still has to be formalised. Attendance seems to be pretty good so far with more awareness of the team in the media as well. Our last home game was actually on Shaw TV.

[The Ref]

^ Ted you not only sound critical of Bridge, but outright nasty. Too bad that we can't read here the other side of this "falling anvil" as seen by Bridge himself.

[ted]

^ Ted you not only sound critical of Bridge, but outright nasty.

Now you are taking the piss as well?

Nasty??!?! Towards Ian Bridge? Get real.

I am disappointed in his tenure overall at the club but my criticisms are quite genteel compared to others. The season has gotten off to a horrific start and we are going to have a tough time earning a play-off spot. I don't really see how anyone could suggest he keep the position based on his record. I have great respect for his history as a player and he did earn some results with the women's program @ UVic. Sadly he was just not the right man for the job in this case.

Man, if the language I have used to discuss Bridge in this thread is considered nasty I think you would faint at the language used in the Cook Street End at Royal Athletic Park.

[canadianfoot]

The community ownership plan is popular but still has to be formalised. Attendance seems to be pretty good so far with more awareness of the team in the media as well. Our last home game was actually on Shaw TV.

Damn it was it even advertised anywhere? Wish anyone had recorded it, any chance?

[ted]

Damn it was it even advertised anywhere? Wish anyone had recorded it, any chance?

It's still on my Shaw PVR but I have no clue how to transfer it to anything or even if that is possible. The quality of the broadcast is not bad for cable access TV but I have not watched the whole thing yet.

[canadianfoot]

It's still on my Shaw PVR but I have no clue how to transfer it to anything or even if that is possible. The quality of the broadcast is not bad for cable access TV but I have not watched the whole thing yet.

ANYONE out there with PVR/TV Tuner/Capture knowledge can help? I know how to transefer from DVD to files.....

Do you have a DVD Recorder(...duh that's what a PVR is for, but do you have one?) then we might transfer the game onto DVD and from there onto the computer and into the WWW...............

Any idea Ted if there will me anymore game being shown? I live in Richmond and would love to record a game or two. thanks

[Redcoatsforever]

You should message someone from one of the CSL video threads in this subforum, they do this with PVRs pretty regularly.

[nolando]

What the hell happened is second from the bottom at the half-way mark of the season.

What happened is a defensive-minded coach whose defense has been shaky this season.

What happened is a coach who has never shown an ability to make tactical substitutions.

Sounds like national team potential there. (Had to lighten the mood a bit)

[Blue and White Army]

"never shown ability to make tactical substitutions."

ted were you this hard on Bridgey last year when they made the playoffs? (or has my memory failed me and they didn't make them last year?)

Even after last season, there were lots of whispers about the club improving by replacing Bridge. Victoria had a very slow start to 2011, and many people felt that the strong squad carried Bridge.

Also worth noting the mini-exodus of players during the recent off-season. VHFC's top scorer went to the Whitecaps U23s, two players opted to play for Victoria United in the PCSL, etc. Lots of players apparently moaning about not being utilized, and Bridge's favourite players getting to start every match, regardless of their performances.

I realize this is diverting the topic off of Bridge, but how has the year been for the Highlanders off the field? Did the fan ownership idea work well? How is attendance?

Jason

As Ted has mentioned, the change in ownership structure hasn't technically happened yet - it will supposedly be implemented around the end of the season (so hopefully next month). The restructure actually might prove quite tricky, because the 30% ownership of the club that is supposed to go to supporters isn't technically being sold to them, and apparently Canada has strict laws about organizations giving part of their holdings away for free (to prevent money-laundering).

Attendance is decent, but the club has cut back on staff in order to balance finances. For example, when GM Drew Finnerty left the club in August, he wasn't replaced. Lots of staff turnover as well, and it feels like the new people are learning as they go this season. Marketing has been extremely minimal - while there have been some radio ads, the only sports team ads I've seen in Victoria are for hockey.

[The Ref]

The Highlanders is a funny club. Their reasons for terminating Bridge are a double standard, as their women team can't do anything in all its time and their coach is not replaced. He also insist on playing his favourites regardless of their performance. Maybe those who are quick to criticize Bridge can explain this inconsistency.

[ted]

Maybe those who are quick to criticize Bridge can explain this inconsistency.

If I can find someone who was "quick to criticize Bridge" I will ask. The rest of us who have had a chance to watch his performance over 2+ seasons have had plenty of time to make an informed opinion on his abilities as a coach.

As for the [insert Sponsor Here] Women I cannot speak to their coaching situation and frankly it matters not. It was a good move on Campbell's part, nothing more to be said really.

[The Ref]

If I can find someone who was "quick to criticize Bridge" I will ask. The rest of us who have had a chance to watch his performance over 2+ seasons have had plenty of time to make an informed opinion on his abilities as a coach.

As for the [insert Sponsor Here] Women I cannot speak to their coaching situation and frankly it matters not. It was a good move on Campbell's part, nothing more to be said really.

Taking 2+ seasons to assess a coach's abilities does not speak too highly of the assessor. It seems to be a Canadian disease this inability to make coaching changes. Insofar as the women team, I am sure they will be pleased to read your comment that they "matters not". I have a lot of respect for them and they deserve as good a coach as the men.

[Redcoatsforever]

Taking 2+ seasons to assess a coach's abilities does not speak too highly of the assessor. It seems to be a Canadian disease this inability to make coaching changes. Insofar as the women team, I am sure they will be pleased to read your comment that they "matters not". I have a lot of respect for them and they deserve as good a coach as the men.

Wow, you are really reaching with that interpretation of what ted said. It's almost like you can't make an argument here without being intellectually dishonest from the outset.

[ted]

Taking 2+ seasons to assess a coach's abilities does not speak too highly of the assessor. It seems to be a Canadian disease this inability to make coaching changes. Insofar as the women team, I am sure they will be pleased to read your comment that they "matters not". I have a lot of respect for them and they deserve as good a coach as the men.

Are you for real?!??!

2+ seasons of coaching the Highlanders ON TOP of being aware of his record with UVic and the National program is plenty of time to assess his abilities at this level, for this team.

And what a wanker move on your part. We are discussing removing Bridge as coach of the Highlanders first team. What happens with the women's team is irrelevant to this discussion is all I was saying.

Wow, you are really reaching with that interpretation of what ted said. It's almost like you can't make an argument here without being intellectually dishonest from the outset.

No kidding , eh?

[The Ref]

Are you for real?!??!

2+ seasons of coaching the Highlanders ON TOP of being aware of his record with UVic and the National program is plenty of time to assess his abilities at this level, for this team.

And what a wanker move on your part. We are discussing removing Bridge as coach of the Highlanders first team. What happens with the women's team is irrelevant to this discussion is all I was saying.

No kidding , eh?

If you are implying that Bridge record with UVic and the National Program was questionable, perhaps then the Highlanders being aware of this should have never hired Bridge. Be that as it may be, one could say the Highlanders gave him the benefit of the doubt for 2+ seasons. Could a decision have been made earlier, I think so. That is a point I make.

Insofar as the women team, you are right. I was just pointing out my perceived inconsistency in judging team performances. We could start a separate thread to discuss the women team.