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This has been a disturbing trend for some time, particularly with soccer companies but this is the first I have heard of this on LI. This puts kids in a bad situation, their choice of course but why does it have to be a choice in the first place, HS soccer only runs for 2-3 months.
"When high school soccer players make it back for a preseason ritual of sprints, drills and scrimmages later this month, some of the best ones won't be there.
They've quit their school teams to play for a Development Academy squad. The academy is run by the U.S. Soccer Federation, and for some elite players is a farm system to the men's national team.
They didn't have much of a choice.
The federation this year has ordered players to choose between their school and the academy, not allowing them to play for both. The academy season will start two months earlier this year -- in September -- pressing into the high school calendar. The longer season, academy officials say, will strengthen the U.S. program, which is considered weak internationally?"
This has been a disturbing trend for some time, particularly with soccer companies but this is the first I have heard of this on LI. This puts kids in a bad situation, their choice of course but why does it have to be a choice in the first place, HS soccer only runs for 2-3 months.
"When high school soccer players make it back for a preseason ritual of sprints, drills and scrimmages later this month, some of the best ones won't be there.
They've quit their school teams to play for a Development Academy squad. The academy is run by the U.S. Soccer Federation, and for some elite players is a farm system to the men's national team.
They didn't have much of a choice.
The federation this year has ordered players to choose between their school and the academy, not allowing them to play for both. The academy season will start two months earlier this year -- in September -- pressing into the high school calendar. The longer season, academy officials say, will strengthen the U.S. program, which is considered weak internationally?"
Thank you for quoting at least some of the article. I'm not a Newsday online subscriber.
I don't think it's "disturbing" or put kids in a "bad situation".
Life is full of choices and I don't think it's "disturbing" or a "bad situation" to have to give up one thing to have another.
Kids should be faced with such situations throughout their childhood so they are less likely to become spoiled, self-entitled brats whom think the world should accomodate them no matter how disturbing their priorities.
Thank you for quoting at least some of the article. I'm not a Newsday online subscriber.
I don't think it's "disturbing" or put kids in a "bad situation".
Life is full of choices and I don't think it's "disturbing" or a "bad situation" to have to give up one thing to have another.
Kids should be faced with such situations throughout their childhood so they are less likely to become spoiled, self-entitled brats whom think the world should accomodate them no matter how disturbing their priorities.
I don't disagree that there is a good deal of spoiled kids out there, but a soccer company forcing them to make a decision is rather extreme. Speaking of spoiled, these soccer academies don't come for free, if they are working at the local supermarket to pay for the extra training, good for them but I have a feeling that is not the case. Their decision to train with a private company, their decision to work to pay the bill, but I have a feeling that is not the case.
I have seen many soccer academies selling parents of the next budding superstar a bill of goods for the the full scholarship, spend a few thousand with us and you will get the full ride to college.
I don't disagree that there is a good deal of spoiled kids out there, but a soccer company forcing them to make a decision is rather extreme. Speaking of spoiled, these soccer academies don't come for free, if they are working at the local supermarket to pay for the extra training, good for them but I have a feeling that is not the case. Their decision to train with a private company, their decision to work to pay the bill, but I have a feeling that is not the case.
I have seen many soccer academies selling parents of the next budding superstar a bill of goods for the the full scholarship, spend a few thousand with us and you will get the full ride to college.
which of course brings us to the next question: why are you going to college ? to play soccer, or get an education to prepare you for a career ?
This is a dilemma to young people ? How many professional soccer players do American colleges turn out these days ?
Soccer moms and dads will soon be pushing for our tax dollars to fund these academies for their budding superstars. "The kids deserve a chance". Just wait.
which of course brings us to the next question: why are you going to college ? to play soccer, or get an education to prepare you for a career ?
This is a dilemma to young people ? How many professional soccer players do American colleges turn out these days ?
Soccer moms and dads will soon be pushing for our tax dollars to fund these academies for their budding superstars. "The kids deserve a chance". Just wait.
Very few HS athletes play college, fewer play pro, the statistics are rather staggering and soccer is not one of the big scholarship sports. I find the comment from the academy official that this will strenthen US soccer self promoting, I doubt that is their focus.
It was not mentioned in the segment I posted but schools mentioned that were being impacted were half hollow hills.
Very few HS athletes play college, fewer play pro, the statistics are rather staggering and soccer is not one of the big scholarship sports. I find the comment from the academy official that this will strenthen US soccer self promoting, I doubt that is their focus.
It was not mentioned in the segment I posted but schools mentioned that were being impacted were half hollow hills.
This is exactly the point. Most HS kids don't go much further although any sport helps on a college application, it just doesn't garner much money anymore. The Academy is geared toward more elite players who desire a better chance to reach the next level whether it's a higher division college team, national team or even pros. It's a decision like any other. "Hmm, my kid is an amazing actor and singer...should he stay in W. Podunk and do the school play or join a company he's been invited to in NY or LA run by real professionals." Competition for everything is fierce these days. It takes scary committment. We live in a world of specialization now. That's why those "for-profit" Academies exist. Very difficult to get that level of training from your high school coach who may be great but is probably a part timer (and teacher) and has other issues to deal with (grades, parents, fairness, politics) just to field his team.
Last edited by mongoose65; 08-13-2012 at 07:41 AM..
Also these kids aren't being asked to leave their high schools. Just their HS teams. They can still finish their studies. If you consider that Lionel Messi and Guiseppe Rossi left their countries to play in an academy, these kids in LI are getting a better deal.
They can't play any other sports, though. You're fully committed to soccer....if you played any other sports you're S.O.L. too. All for the chance to maybe be the one or two kids who get a full ride to Duke.
They can play other sports at their leisure. Just not at the HS varsity level. Given that they're in HS already, that's the time they should be making up their minds about what they want to focus on.
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