Jason De Vos' recent articles on a national high performance league

[Soccerpro]

Part 1

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/jason_de_vos/?id=412939

Part 2

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=413479&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Jason might be called pompous by some, but I think he's right.

While he's at it, I don't really see the point of Provincial Team Programs (having played for one for several years as a teen). Any funding could be better spent on coaching education IMHO.

One of my big gripes is what are clubs doing to expose their players to more opportunities when they turn 18? How many clubs are trying to get their players seen by NCAA coaches, trying to secure trials with pro clubs, trying to secure extra training for their best and brightest? Not very many.

The bottom line is it's going to take a lot of balls by the CSA brass to get the ball rolling. Where's a Canadian soccer loving Oligarch when you need one?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

A national high performance league should first be implemented in four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.

That begs the question, how is it national if it is only happening in four provinces and is being implemented by the provincial associations? The rationale behind the provincial teams was that it gave national youth team coaches a chance to see the best players from each province (or a cynic might suggest the best who live close to the provincial association HQs). If most of the elite players wind up in the academy systems of the three MLS teams in future through residency programs that traditional system will break down which threatens the livelihood of a lot of coaches.

[Soccerpro]

A national high performance league should first be implemented in four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.

That begs the question, how is it national if it is only happening in four provinces and is being implemented by the provincial associations? The rationale behind the provincial teams was that it gave national youth team coaches a chance to see the best players from each province (or a cynic might suggest the best who live close to the provincial association HQs). If most of the elite players wind up in the academy systems of the three MLS teams in future through residency programs that traditional system will break down which threatens the livelihood of a lot of coaches.

I think he's suggesting qualified coaches/facilities/number of qualified clubs are more easily foud in those provinces, to start with, vs the other smaller provinces.

[VPjr]

i fully agree with Jason's most fundamental premise, which is that there needs to be (at least) 2 streams in Canadian soccer (recreational and elite competitive).

As far as I am concerned, our recreational stream is already quite well defined and works well enough (could use some tweaking but generally meets the needs of those involved). I put most of what we currently define as "rep" soccer in that recreational stream because very little of what goes on at the rep level would be considered elite almost anywhere else. Players are not being developed, by and large, in the rep system with a purpose other than to win/get promoted. Winning is not the devil but in an amateur youth system, there is ample evidence to lead one to the conclusion that the chase for medals/trophies and promotion to higher leagues has not helped us translate our huge participation numbers into the development of a decent pool of elite level footballers.

If athletes and parents like the current system and want to continue in it, it would be foolish to eliminate it altogether. Streamline it a bit but, just like hockey does with its "A" or "AA" level of rep competition, there is nothing wrong with maintaining a rep/all star system within the recreational stream...

However, we must continue to push forward aggressively on developing a true elite development stream for those players who have the talent, ambition and drive to play at the pro/semi-pro level (for both men and women). Just like "AAA" hockey, it's alot more expensive to participate at that level and the commitment of time and resources will not be for everyone. It also won't be feasible for every club or academy to operate a "AAA" style program. There aren't enough coaches, players, facilities, etc... to allow everyone who thinks they must be at the top level to actually exist there without diluting the product to the point where it goes back to essentially being recreational again (but alot more expensive).

For me, one major component is that no organization should be permitted to operate at the elite level of youth player development unless they operate fully funded (not pay for play) senior team programs (be it elite amateur, semi-pro or fully pro).

[NSSoccer]

Nationally certified coaches for every participating team within an organization

Minimum training-to-game ratios of at least 3:1

Quality facilities and equipment that contribute to providing the correct learning environment for players and coaches

Ongoing professional development for coaches

A 12-month, periodized calendar that integrates with our provincial and national team programs

Of the things DeVos mentions are the standards to meet, I have to say that most of these are already done. The one exception has to be coaching levels. However, for example, for the last 3 years I have been registering for the Provincial B license (1 course given per year in Atlantic), with full intentions of moving on to National B ASAP, only to be told in all 3 years that there weren't enough coaches to warant the course being given...

If the CSA wants coaches to be trained...train them. If only 16 coaches are willing to travel from 4 different provinces, then make it happen for those 16 coaches. I'm not sure if this is happening elsewhere in the country, but it is completely absurd. The other part of the problem is that Provincial Associations only require Pre-B certification, which is non-sense, therefore clubs aren't required to pay for more advanced coach training.

How many clubs are trying to get their players seen by NCAA coaches, trying to secure trials with pro clubs, trying to secure extra training for their best and brightest? Not very many.

I have always believed in getting my players opportunities at higher levels. They have received many CIS & NCAA scholarships after countless emails and phone calls, from myself, to college coaches around North america. However, a few years ago, the provincial association denied our travel permit to attend the Texas Shootout, one the largest college showcase tournaments. WHY? "Club teams are not responsible for getting opportunities for higher level soccer. The Prov Association will do this for its most elite players, those on the provincial teams." (paraphrased, but entirely accurate quote) The following year, the NTC Atlantic players attended the Texas Shootout...They say mimicry is the greatest form of flattery, right?

[ThiKu]

@BBTB: "starting" in 4 provinces. Jason wasn't suggesting to keep it at 4 provinces. (Isn't that obvious???) That suggestion makes sense and gives the smaller provinces a chance to choose the best aspects of the big 4 to suit their needs.

I also agree PTP is a waste of time and money. Those programs are not putting those kids in front of pro or university scouts - or not often enough - so what are you paying for? The privilege to play with and against other good players. Useful, if you are doing your own leg work to get in front of pro or university scouts, I suppose.

Yes, there should be two streams. Colin Elmes said this ages ago. Too many clubs are trying to be too much to too many people. Clubs should be identifying as elite or recreational. Not both....unless they possess a critical mass and also meet elite criteria.

[Jason deVos]

Thanks for your interest in my recent blog. If you have any questions about anything I've written, feel free to let me know. You can post questions on here, or contact me directly through my website.

A few points of clarification:

1. Ideally, a national high performance youth league is truly national in scale. But the reality is that right now, we would only be able to sustain such a league in Ontario, Quebec, BC and (possibly) Alberta. Taking on more than that to start with will only result in failure.

2. There are already leagues in existence (BCSPL, Quebec's top tier youth league) or coming into existence (OPDL) that meet many of the standards that we need for a national high performance youth league. Bringing those leagues together under a national umbrella is not that difficult to achieve.

3. The provincial team programs would not need to exist in their current forms if a national high performance youth league was in place. Our governing bodies had to create the provincial team programs in the past because traditionally, clubs and academies have not done a good job of developing players. A national high performance youth league would change that, thus allowing the provincial team programs to change as well. They should be event-based programs, rather than ongoing development programs.

4. The U23 league I referenced is arguably the most important component of what I've proposed. I think most technical people in Canada agree on this, and the feasibility study into D2 soccer in Canada supports that assertion. What people don't agree on is how such a league should be implemented. My belief is that it should be implemented as a natural extension of a national high performance youth league, not as a stand-alone entity.

5. The animosity between non-profit community clubs and for-profit private academies is ridiculous. The rules that have ostracized private academies for so long are nothing more than protectionism. Only by bringing both organizations under the same set of technical standards will we be able to see the difference between the charlatans and the legitimate organizations. (and there are both non-profit clubs and for-profit academies that fall into either category)

Feel free to add your thoughts/questions - as I said, I'm happy to have a discussion, either here or through my website.

Cheers,

JDV

[Macksam]

4. The U23 league I referenced is arguably the most important component of what I've proposed. I think most technical people in Canada agree on this, and the feasibility study into D2 soccer in Canada supports that assertion. What people don't agree on is how such a league should be implemented. My belief is that it should be implemented as a natural extension of a national high performance youth league, not as a stand-alone entity.

Welcome to the forum.

Are we going to be hearing more about the re-think study, and when it's planned implementation will be in the near future?

[Jason deVos]

Thank you.

I can't speak for the CSA, and I don't have a timeline on when the study will be released, nor when any steps will be taken to implement - what I believe - should be a D3 league, similar to the major junior hockey model.

This isn't something that the CSA can implement on its own - it has to be an extension of the high performance youth leagues that are getting underway across the country. Ultimately, it will be the clubs and academies offering those programs who will be most inclined to participate in a regionalized D3 league, in my opinion.

JDV

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I can't speak for the CSA, and I don't have a timeline on when the study will be released, nor when any steps will be taken to implement - what I believe - should be a D3 league, similar to the major junior hockey model.

The main question I would have is whether you envisage this as being the main development route for elite players in future in a smilar manner to what happens in hockey? Would you have progressed as much as a player in the format you are proposing, relative to playing in the old CSL at the age of 16 against national team players like John Catliff and Paul Peschisolido? In the present day players like Doneil Henry and Ashtone Morgan are getting a similar sort of opportunity by being part of MLS rosters and successfully working their way through to the starting lineups. Seems to me there is an important role for a U-23 D3 league, but it's very much a secondary one that provides late developers with a place to flourish or gives players who don't quite make the grade in an MLS team academy a second chance.

[Soccerpro]

Of the things DeVos mentions are the standards to meet, I have to say that most of these are already done. The one exception has to be coaching levels. However, for example, for the last 3 years I have been registering for the Provincial B license (1 course given per year in Atlantic), with full intentions of moving on to National B ASAP, only to be told in all 3 years that there weren't enough coaches to warant the course being given...

If the CSA wants coaches to be trained...train them. If only 16 coaches are willing to travel from 4 different provinces, then make it happen for those 16 coaches. I'm not sure if this is happening elsewhere in the country, but it is completely absurd. The other part of the problem is that Provincial Associations only require Pre-B certification, which is non-sense, therefore clubs aren't required to pay for more advanced coach training.

I have always believed in getting my players opportunities at higher levels. They have received many CIS & NCAA scholarships after countless emails and phone calls, from myself, to college coaches around North america. However, a few years ago, the provincial association denied our travel permit to attend the Texas Shootout, one the largest college showcase tournaments. WHY? "Club teams are not responsible for getting opportunities for higher level soccer. The Prov Association will do this for its most elite players, those on the provincial teams." (paraphrased, but entirely accurate quote) The following year, the NTC Atlantic players attended the Texas Shootout...They say mimicry is the greatest form of flattery, right?

As someone who played youth, senior and university soccer in N.S, that's shocking by SNS. Great work on your part.

I always felt the biggest problem with playing in the Maritimes is getting seen. How do you get an NCAA coach, or Pro coach to see you when Maritime teams typically don't travel to the U.S, like Ontario teams do.

Aside from Ante Jazic, no one who plays CIS soccer in the Maritimes is going to be able to go further with the game (I played with Mesut Mert, he was an exception, but still only got to play USL).

[Jason deVos]

BBTB, I believe that a regionalized, national U23 league can serve the same purpose as major junior hockey does - a stepping stone for young players before they make the jump to MLS, NASL or overseas.

I don't know if we will ever see another league like the 'old' CSL that I was fortunate enough to play in. As a 16-year old, I was playing against the best players our country had to offer, full internationals like Catliff, Mobilio, Bunbury and Peschisolido on a weekly basis. It did me a world of good, because I was put in a situation where I had to sink or swim. I don't see many MLS clubs giving young players that opportunity, unfortunately, and I think that is hurting their development.

JDV