1. sports
2. soccer

The Landscape of Youth Soccer Youth soccer (U9 through U18) has changed dramatically over the past decade, with the greater emphasis placed on single sports, coupled with the advent of elite programs such as the USSF Academy programs under the USSDA umbrella and ECNL (Elite Club National League) and then a multi-­‐layer of premier leagues where clubs have evolved to put teams in premier leagues while charging premier prices. So that parents can better understand the current landscape of youth soccer, please see the graphic and information below. The USA Pyramid of Youth Soccer 2015 National Highest Tier of
Teams youth soccer
USSDA Academy (Boys) and ECNL (Girls) Elite Level Highest Level of Premier
Premier (EDP Division 1 and USYSA Regional Leagues) Mid Level Mid Level Premier Premier (NPL Mid-Level
of
Premier
(NYCSL -­‐ Division 1 & NYPL Division EDP Division 1 & NPL 2) Division 2) Lowest Level of Premier
SWD Travel Division 1 Low Level Premier (NYCSL -­‐
NYPL Division 2 and 3) Low Level Premier (CJSA Division 2) CJSA Premier Qualifying Division NYCSL Division 3 Travel Level
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USSF – United States Soccer Federation. The main governing body that oversees the development of the academy development program called USSDA – United States Soccer Development Academy. Players of high school age can no longer play for their High School in CT in the Fall if they are a registered player of a USSDA club
ussda.demosphere.com/schedules/index_E.html. Be aware of the casual use of the word “Academy” in most cases it does not mean a USSDA affiliated and sanctioned program. These programs are supposed to be fully funded by the club meaning no registration fees. For the girls •
this is ECNL (Elite Clubs National League http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com/schedule/index_E.html and runs in a similar fashion to the boys elite programs with the most highly competitive girls clubs. EDP – Eastern Development Program (www.edpsoccer.com). An NPL league that is split into 3 geographic sections and contains the very best premier clubs who place ALL of their teams in this league. •
NPL – National Premier Leagues of which EDP and NYCSL are affiliate leagues. Clubs that have some teams in EDP and some in NPL. •
NYCSL – New York Club Soccer League (www.nyclubsoccerleague.com). Usually HIGHLY competitive soccer clubs that cannot fulfill the criteria of being an NPL registered club. Greenwich United places its premier teams in this league. •
CJSA – Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (www.cjsa.org). Governing body for youth soccer in Connecticut. A premier level league that has diminished significantly over the past 5-­‐10 years at the highest divisions since the best CT clubs have left to either the EDP League or become sanctioned USSDA and ECNL Clubs. Many of the Division 2 and Qualifying Division teams are formed from a town’s travel program, thus leaving a vaccum in travel leagues often filled by lower level travel players. •
SWD – SouthWest District (www.swdcjsa.org). Mainly Fairfield County town travel teams for which the governing body is the CJSA. Choosing the right club for your child will be based upon several factors, accessing accurate information and then weighing up the cost vs the perceived value for that club. The league websites above in addition to http://home.gotsoccer.com/rankings.aspx will allow you to review the leagues, team performances and the success of clubs overall. It is important to remember that the more tournaments a team plays the greater the likelihood of picking up points which will then raise their ranking. The quality of the level of the tournament is always a good indicator of the level of play. Some considerations to make: • What is a premier club, what is premier level soccer – here parents often need to do their own information gathering and research since the term is used very loosely and has unfortunately been misrepresented in order to charge much higher club registration fees commensurate with profit. Many clubs have become businesses charging a premium. Parents need to assess the perceived value in paying this premium. Premier is really defined by the level of the competition that teams and the club plays in. Greenwich United is a true grass roots community based program that offers a variety of levels of play supporting multiple teams by ability in an age group. • What is the right level of play – highly competitive, sole sport commitment, does the program allow for the opportunity to balance out two sports, is there a three-­‐season commitment or one/two. What is the philosophy regarding dual/tri sport athletes. • Staying together as a team or not. To play at the higher levels will mean leaving the current team your child is on to play with other individuals he/she may not know but where like abilities allow for a more challenging environment to develop within. • Proximity and locality of practices and games. •
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Cost for the program (registration fees, practices, tournaments and games for all 3 seasons). Costs for a three-­‐season program can vary from $2,400 to $4,000. Academy USSDA programs are ultimately to be free through being fully funded by the Club. Game and practice facilities at the club’s disposal. There is real value in a club that practices full-­‐
time or partially on turf fields. Their practices will rarely be canceled and they will be able to move outside much earlier in the Spring. Greenwich United throughout the Fall season benefits highly from access to turf fields. Coaching Staff – experience, credentials, community ties and college connections. Expectations for your child. What is their goal/dream/possible consideration for the future – high school varsity, college, professional or just for pure fun. Tournaments attended. Frequency, location and level are important considerations. Exposure to college coaches.