Smaller Clubs vs Larger Clubs

[PutMeInCoach2]

Over the past few years, it has been my experience that there have been many changes that benefit the larger clubs over the smaller clubs, and gives them a bigger advantage from coaches all the way to guest players. Thus making it harder to make the "volunteer system" work.

While I do believe the vision of LSA has been to grow and compete on the national level when it comes to playing our state's best player, against another; I believe that we are losing the site of "everybody else."

For instance, the coaching requirements now requiring to coach a competitive team will make it even harder for some small clubs to form teams and get a coach. It will also make it difficult to get assistant coaches and so forth, putting more pressure on those who do have the certifications. I think we have forgotten that some coaches work weekends, some run clubs, some take calls on weekends, and so forth. I believe we will start chasing these individuals away from the sidelines instead of helping them be involved.

Also coaching multiple teams have become a challenge through the LCSL because of the lack of control given to the schedule. Now having changes to blackout dates and so forth to attend tournaments, close work dates, or any other reason taken away.

Larger communities, and suburbs of communities seem to not have has many issues, but other areas do. And while some changes mutually benefit all, not all clubs or programs are affected the same. Therefore changes may force soccer to become centralized and about "money," driving some talented players who can't afford to play, off into a different sport.

Just my thoughts, not sure if other areas feel the same way.

[thedudeabides]

You are correct sir!

[lafutbolplaya07]

This is a discussion that is quite interesting. I have heard that the number of players playing soccer in Louisiana is on the up and not just at my club but across the State which is a sign that we are heading in the right direction I think. I was unsure about the mandatory coaching requirements for LCSL play when it came out and was told that I needed to take a coaching course this past summer by my club. It was probably the best thing I have done as it really proved to me that I wasn't as good at coaching as I thought. Looking back now I feel that I was doing my players an injustice as I feel that an LCSL level player (pays a lot of money) deserves the best possible education. I don't think I would send my kids to a school where the teachers have no teaching qualifications! I now look forward to my next course although I think I need to work out a little first as it was tough.

I've also just been told that LCSL is going to be changing by my club and just seen several new policies on the LSA website. The LCSL schedule has been an issue from the start and changes need to be made here. I noted that the league will have a change to its formation which I hope will produce an earlier schedule! To me it's still not a real league though and almost seems like teams are randomly put in comp 1 or comp 2 and more. The schedule just needs to come out sooner and not have all the different rules on how to reschedule games. I sat down with my manager and still couldn't get it right and never got a response half the time from the comp scheduler who deals with this as it is a big problem.

Still not sure about the club pass system. I know why we have it and agree that it will allow players to develop by playing up but agree with you that some of the bigger clubs have abused this system. I would have thought it would help smaller clubs more as they are the ones with smaller rosters and sometimes need a player to play up for an older team. I'm not the best one for this as my club is one of the bigger ones!

I haven't had a chance to sit down and read the new policies but so far they look quite good. Now that my club games are over I'll have some time to read them.

[laffysoccermom]

One of the things that I saw that totally benefits larger clubs is the increase in number of players necessary to play in state. I understand that you don't want upset parents starting their own club but this effectively ended one club that I know of.


However- this can limit clubs getting started in smaller towns where there may not be another club close by. Maybe not an issue but could be.

In the event, it comes down to numbers and votes. The bigger clubs have those so they will make the rules. We just have to hope that they don't lose focus on the kids and soccer in Louisiana as a whole.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[Deleted]

I think the LCSL works better in 11v11 groups/ older kids at u13 and above. The system at the lower level is a cluster. As stated before it's hard to place teams in right levels.