Our decision to sponsor fall teams in the last two years (our first was actually in 2003) was based solely on the demand. Ohio Elite players and players from outside of our club were asking for us to do it. I think there are several reasons for the demand for such a program.
- High level players that want a year round program to help them continue to develop as players.
- Players who find their individual high school situation does not meet their needs as a player for whatever reason.
- Good players who for whatever reason did not make their high school teams.
- Players that are or have recently come back from injury and have specific rehabilitation needs.
The program is put together to help each participating player improve individually. We are not trying to build a great fall team and win tournaments. We are simply trying to help the players involved in the program achieve their individual goals. We show no favoritism to Ohio Elite players. In fact in this years U16 team a player from the OP Green U16 team is our captain. Many would be surprised to see where the players come from. The majority of players on each roster are made up of Ohio Elite players from varying teams within the club. We also have players from Ohio Premier, Ohio Galaxies, Classics Hammer, CUP, CFA and Eagles SC. I think this shows that there is a demand for this program. In addition, the teams train together which allows for our older players to mentor younger players who will later be asked to do the same. It also provides the atmosphere of younger players playing with and against older players which will help their individual development.
What is offered:
- 3 Training Sessions per Week
- 3 Showcase Tournaments + 4 Friendly Games - 12-15 Games Total
- 1 to 3 Game to Training Ratio
- College Guidance/Exposure
- Multi-Age Teams and Training Environment
- Individual Development Based Training Environment
There have been those that have said that we are pressuring players to play by threatening their status in their spring teams, etc... Such suggestions are flat wrong. If this were the case we would be losing the battle. We have 143 girls players in our Ohio Elite U15-U18 age groups. Of those 143, 26 players have chosen the fall team route. At the end of the fall team season all players return to their normal teams on equal footing with those returning from high school.
I simply tell players what we are going to offer in the fall team program and let them make a choice for themselves. It is an individual choice for each player. I see the benefit for players to participate in our program. I also see the benefit of a player playing for their high school team. The soccer coach in me wants to oversee every aspect of a players development. Another side of me realizes the value in playing for your school and community. Most of all, I realize that each player has a choice and if the players are asking for something positive that we can provide, we will make every effort to provide it for them. Of course I think what we are doing is of a very high quality, but no more than the high school coach thinks of the quality of their program.
Make judgements based on fact, not heresay or misconception. There is no High School vs. Fall Club Soccer debate here, just a players right to chose. Join me in respecting each player/persons choice to do what they think is in their best interest.
