Naturally, though I suppose I did not make that clear, my comment is limited to youth soccer in the US. I'm certain it is different in England -- the forces that drive it are completely different.
For one thing -- and it is a big one -- I expect the parents are different. The bizarre system, with college sports being as important as they are, is one of those. Every parent of a talented player thinks their kid is going to get a college scholarship if only he/she gets enough playing time. The reality, of course, is different. For one thing, there are VERY few college scholarships available for boys (Title IX) and far fewer than popularly believed for girls. But those pressures have a defining effect on the upper levels of Youth Soccer in the US. MAG In a message dated 8/16/2007 6:14:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > MAG - Entitled to your opinion - but I for one am coaching for the good of > the game. In fact its my daughter who is playing football just so she can be > > with her dad > > There are a good number of us like that here > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; > <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 9:43 AM > Subject: Re: [LU] The Letter > > > >You would be surprised, Andy. There were many motivations that I saw > >along > >the way. Most were in it either for their own glory or for their own kid. > >Few, if any, were in it for the good of the kids as a whole. > > > >Directors of Coaching tend to be in it to carve out an empire and a career > >for themselves. Coaches (at the competitive level -- or, perhaps more > >accurately, at the AA-A level and above) tend to be in it to move up the > >ladder and > >avoid having to get a "real" job. Parent-coaches tend to be in it to > >guarantee > >their kid a place on a team (or a place on a better team than their kid > >would > >likely get otherwise). > > > >No one -- or nearly no one -- is genuinely in it for the good of the kids > >as > >a whole. > > > >MAG > > > >In a message dated 8/15/2007 10:47:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > > >>What else would they be in it for ? > >> > >>I did 7 years in NJ as a youth coach, referee and referee coach, and can > >>honestly say I was in it for the kids - as was every other coach. > >> > >>I don't know what your beef is with youth soccer, but I'm glad you've at > >>last found someone with honourable intentions. > >> > >>Andy C > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist Join The Leeds United Supporters Trust at www.lufctrust.org
