Louisiana Soccer Association Partners With West Ham United

[Timbertwin]

The Louisiana Soccer Association is hosting the 2013 LSA State Select Teams College Combine Camp in Monroe June 28-30. During the camp, the LSA will unveil an official agreement with the West Ham United Academy, from London via its relationship with Global Image Sports.

“We are the first state association to do this,” said Mark Godwin, LSA Director of Coaching and Camp Director. “This will allow West Ham United to have access to players on our State Select Teams and give players a greater opportunity to play professionally.” Mark Godwin added, “Both Sean Esker and myself have been working on this project for several months and it’s great to see it finally come to fruition and we’re looking forward to where the future will take this program.”

“I am very excited that we have been chosen as the first state association to partner with the West Ham United Academy,” said Sean Esker, LSA Vice President of Adults. “It’s a great opportunity for our players to advance their training and playing opportunities, and I’m grateful that the West Ham United Academy and Global Image Sports were open to creating this first-ever partnership with us.”

The deal will officially be unveiled on Saturday, June 29 before the start of the 10:30 game at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) Soccer Stadium. Shaun Ramsden, with West Ham United, and Ian Bishop, a former player for West Ham, will also be in attendance.  

For more information on West Ham United, visit

For more information on Global Image Sports, visit www.globalimagesports.com

[drogba]

Good to see the amount of views and the lack of overblown wows! I think most have now seen the Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire and the promises and dreams that go along with it. You can search the internet and see the potential good and the bad (money) associated with this club which is really no different than any other. These things are about money. I tried to find some info on it and you will run across links for other clubs that are several years into this experiment with west ham www.talking-soccer.com/TS4/archive/index.php/t-76583.html......... I think if it is a good camp and good training and good coaching it could benefit your premier player and that is great. But always realize everybody is just making money. If you don't mind paying and your kid is having fun I think that is great.

[beauchenecoach]

You do understand that this is NOTHING like Dynamo or Chicago fire club deals? This is nothing to do with a club. This is a deal with the LSA and West Ham that will benefit the state, its players, and state select teams? This is a HUGE thing! When more details emerge, I dont think you were correct (no offense meant) for the comparison and link to a parents gripe session on a message board about pay to play. As for the lack of wows, anyone who has been around knows that this board is quite dead from March till September... Especially June- August. From October through February, this board is THE soccer place to be. Everyone in the club world who knows of this deal and has spoken about it, is THRILLED for this HUGE partnership.  There was LOTS of talk about it last weekend at the All Stae festivities.

Thanks to Mark Godwin and of course, our Future LSA president (election on July 21) Sean Esker for getting this done. I know it was a lot of work and took a it of time, but they got it done. Sean is going to be a great president of the LSA and I hope to join in helping him bring more fresh ideas to the table in the LSA!

Thanks Mark and Sean!

"I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air,
They fly so high,
Nearly reach the sky,
Then like my dreams,
They fade and die.
Fortune's always hiding,
I've looked everywhere,
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air."

U-NI-TED! U-NI-TED! U-NI-TED!

[Deleted]

I agree that this probably is NOT just another 'shirt deal'.

Now, that being said, I think this is a huge marketing 'coup' for LSA and its ODP (sorry, 'state select') program.

The reality is that no single entity is going to harness 100% of the footballing talent. North Texas ODP has dropped off in quality in the last few years. Drastically.

The Development Academy program has siphoned off much of the top talent. Again, certainly not all.

Add in showcase tournaments, college ID camps/combines etc. and the talent pool becomes more diluted. As anecdotal evidence, just check out the regional ODP pool lists. Not very many NTX players.

Now, in La, I know for a fact that the 97 boys group has lost several key players that no longer participate. Starters and impact players.

Don't get me wrong. This is great for La soccer. Even greater for LSA.

But parents and players need to go into this with eyes wide open.

In other words, I don't expect to see a mass exodus of La players heading to Upton Park.

[drogba]

Jul 5, 2013 9:27:38 GMT -6 beauchenecoach said:

You do understand that this is NOTHING like Dynamo or Chicago fire club deals? This is nothing to do with a club. This is a deal with the LSA and West Ham that will benefit the state, its players, and state select teams? This is a HUGE thing! When more details emerge, I dont think you were correct (no offense meant) for the comparison and link to a parents gripe session on a message board about pay to play. As for the lack of wows, anyone who has been around knows that this board is quite dead from March till September... Especially June- August. From October through February, this board is THE soccer place to be. Everyone in the club world who knows of this deal and has spoken about it, is THRILLED for this HUGE partnership.  There was LOTS of talk about it last weekend at the All Stae festivities.

Thanks to Mark Godwon and of course, our Future LSA president (election on July 21) Sean Esker for getting this done. I know it was a lot of work and took a it of time, but they got it done. Sean is going to be a great president of the LSA and I hope to join in helping him bring more fresh ideas to the table in the LSA!

Thanks Mark and Sean!

"I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air,
They fly so high,
Nearly reach the sky,
Then like my dreams,
They fade and die.
Fortune's always hiding,
I've looked everywhere,
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air."

U-NI-TED! U-NI-TED! U-NI-TED!

Coach I hope you are right and these are not just those bubbles in the air! =)
Hall makes some excellent points, I am sure time will let us know what this is and what it is not.

[drogba]

Anything new on this or is this something we will see more in the offseason identification camps etc?

[drogba]

Any more details or feedback from anyone with state select around again.

[miraddydad]

State select won't start training until January. So we won't know the impact until that begins. And it will take a while for the results of the partnership, if there to be any, to show up.

[drogba]

Anything new with this? Any feedback from anyone involved in this?

[lafutbolplaya07]

Heard they're sending several ODP teams to West Ham at Thanksgiving.

[drogba]

Update is this getting ready to happen is this West Ham program happening over Tgiving??

[lafutbolplaya07]

I think so. 2 of my players are going on the West Ham deal and looking forward to it. In fact so are the parents as they said it was too good a deal to miss out on. Will be looking to see and hear about the trip when they get back. Wish I could go on this trip but LSA had nothing like this when I was playing ODP!!

[Deleted]

I think kids getting the chance to go overseas to get "professional coaching" is a wonderful experience. (If you can afford it!)

And, in my opinion, that's how it should be viewed...as an "experience".

But, La ODP (much the same as other states...NTX in particular) does not get all of the top players participating. I'm not bashing the ODP program by any means. But, ODP has a lot of competition from DA member clubs, college id camps, showcases and other venues that sometimes dilutes the talent pool.

And, as a parent, I don't personally believe that writing a bigger check is going to enhance a player's ability.

I've read countless horror stories about camps, tours foreign trials, etc. that don't deliver.

If a parent is willing to write a big enough check, it's not that difficult for a player to "train" with a professional team/academy abroad.

What most fail to realize is that being good enough is one thing...but being able to actually get an offer is an entirely different thing. (Due to work permits, foreign player restrictions, etc.)

[lafutbolplaya07]

hall97 sums it all up with his quote at the end of his comments - "SEIZE YOUR CHANCE!" (Arsene Wenger). I guess this is the chance for these players. I was also told last night that the players going on the West Ham trip are actually staying at a hotels that is part of the West Ham stadium. Some rooms even face the field. Sounds like a neat experience. Can't wait to find out how it all goes.

[drogba]

I wonder if there is a list of who is going etc. I wish someone on board knew more about it. Would love to hear what happens etc.

[NotInSearchofHonor]

My son is on the 97 boys team.

The preliminary itinerary we received has us arriving on Monday, Nov 24. Transport to West Ham United Hotel. Facility tour and first training session.

Tuesday is training am and sightseeing trip in pm.

Wednesday is going to be game against West Ham United Academy team and first live English League or Cup game.

Thursday is training am and second game versus another London Academy.

Friday is training am and tour of Wembley Stadium pm. Saturday is training am and West Ham vs Newcastle at Upton Park.

Sunday we depart for home.

I am taking my oldest son and hoping we can visit a few pubs. I plan on taking some video of training and games. Should be a great time.

[Deleted]

Any idea what the cost is for this?

[NotInSearchofHonor]

$3050 per player and $2950 for parent/sibling. Includes everything but spending money.

[lafutbolplaya07]

That sounds like a great deal as the flights must over $1000. Looking forward to seeing some video. Not only that but West Ham seem to be doing well in the Premier League right now. Good team to be with!

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2014 10:25:59 GMT -6 NotInSearchofHonor said:

$3050 per player and $2950 for parent/sibling. Includes everything but spending money.

That's pretty much what I thought it would be.

Still, a wonderful experience if you can afford it.