Binaya Manandhar

 

 

Target group for this article: Parents of 8,9,10 old kids who have been playing soccer for few years and thinking if they should play soccer competitively.

Assumptions: This article assumes that the parents already know about Academy Soccer. If you don’t know, please read my blog on the Academy Soccer.

What is Select Soccer?

Select soccer is a competitive level of youth soccer starting from age of U11 (i.e. Under 11).

What are the main differences between Academy and Select Soccer?

1. Cost: Cost is the biggest difference. In average Select Soccer costs around $2000+ in club fee, $400+ in uniform plus Tournament fees and other fees. So, yearly cost averages more than $3000+ per child per year.
2. Commitment: Parents and the player need to make 1 year commitment for time and cost. The contract usually runs from July 1^st to May 31^st. Players usually tryout from June 1^st to June 30^th free agent period and sign a contract between
   July 1^st to July 11^th.  Players are not allowed to play for any other competitive team without written release from the current coach.
3. Recreational League: Kids playing select soccer cannot continue playing in recreational leagues as they did in Academy Soccer.  From U11 onwards they need to choose either Select Soccer or Recreational Soccer.

Does my kid need to be gifted Soccer player to play Select Soccer?

1. No. There are various different levels of competitive leagues. Therefore, if your kid wants to play select soccer and you can make cost and time commitment, you will find a team suitable for him/her.  There are 70+ teams playing in 7+ different levels in DFW areas.

Does brand name teams like FC Dallas, Texans, Liverpool mean that it is higher level of competition?

1. No. Each club team has several teams in various different leagues and several different geographical areas.
2. If you search a little bit, you WILL find a team near to your home. It is a business. They want your money.

Should my kid play Select Soccer?

Playing Select Soccer needs lot of commitment from you and your kid. Therefore, your kid really needs to love playing Soccer to enjoy and be successful in Select Soccer. I mean the kid must “love” playing  Soccer. “Love” doesn’t mean “skill” level. If your kid loves soccer, “skill” will eventually come. So, ask your kid “Do you really love playing soccer?” If the answer is not firm “yes” then think about letting them play in recreatio

nal level.

Many parents think ahead of High School Soccer, College Scholarship for joining Select Soccer. It is good to think ahead. However it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Lot of things will happen before your kid is in the High School or in the College. Parents need to be more thoughtful of child’s mental and physical development.

Different levels of leagues in North Texas (DFW area)

Boys Leagues: Classic League is the highest league (It has 3 divisions). Plano Premiere League is the 2^nd level (It has 2 divisions) and then there is Arlington league (It has 2 divisions). As they become older there are other higher options like Developmental Academy etc.

Girls: Lake highlands gir

ls classic league is the highest league (It has 3 divisions). Plano Premiere League is the 2^nd level (It has 2 divisions) and then there is Arlington league (It has 2 divisions). As they become older there are other higher options like ECNL and Developmental Academy etc.

So, as you can see there are many different levels of competition. Each division in each league has around 10 teams. So, there are 100+ teams playing select soccer for each gender and age level.

How do the teams get in a league or different division within the league?

When kids enter into U11 select soccer, kids sign-up for the teams by July 11^th. Then they play qualifying tournaments in various leagues in July and beginning of August. The result of those tournaments decide which league and which division the teams do end up in. Later on there are some promotions – demotions designed for moving teams from one league or division to the other.

Though it is no guaranteed, the coaches have quite good idea of where their team will end up in based on the squad they have.

Which level of competition should I put my kid in?

This is a very good question you should think seriously. Each child is different. Some kids are motivated when he/she is the best player in the team. On the contrary some kids slack off when he/she is the best player. Some kids quit soccer if put in the bench for long time. Some kids get motivated and work really hard to be off the bench.

So, you should find a team which fits according to your child’s need. Don’t just try to go to the highest league and highest division in a brand name team. If the child is motivated by playing with better players and doesn’t get de-motivated by bench time then you can put him/her in higher division league. If the child is motivated by the being one of the best players in the team then you can put him or her in lower division leagues.

Conclusion:

Soccer is a beautiful game. It is great for physical and mental development of the youth. It is one of the best team sport and undisputedly the most popular sport in the whole world.

As parent our job is to help our kids to develop into their maximum potential. Their maximum potential could be anything from just playing for fun to High School, College, MLS, English Premier League, World Cup. Minimum guarantee is the healthy lifestyle, teamwork and fun.