AGE PURE DISASTER

Since age pure reared its ugly self. Soccer in NTX has been on the decline. Teams destruction is at all time hi at the age of decision making and the additional watering down of leagues.

It was more of a disaster 2-3 years ago when excellent teams, full of same grade friends, who had played for years together had to disband. It was very sad to go through.

What we have now are obvious maturity differences between 5th and 6th grade girls (as an example). And girls who don't feel bonded to their younger teammates because of it.

I can't say that age pure watered down the leagues. I think there are a lot of factors including the big clubs who make decisions knowing parents around here will throw their money at anything willingly and never question "why".

I just know I'm sick of select soccer. Seriously sick of it. I just don't know what to do with a decently talented player who can't play rec but isn't "elite" yet either.

Why does the "in between" have to cost and arm and a leg? And why do we have to fund the girls who are "elite".

I have never been less excited for a season...

You got 2 grade levels on a team it just doesnt work well and never will. Too many leagues w not enough players. Whoever voted this originally really had no common sense.

How does it even work once it comes time for college recruiting and showcase tournaments?

You want to invest your money in 10th and 11th grade to get seen ideally. Come 12th grade you pretty much have narrowed down your list of who is interested in you and where you are interested in going.

If I am a parent on the younger end, am I being forced to travel my 9th grader for the benefit of the 10th grader?

The year they are 10/11th is a benefit for both.

THEN, when my kid hits the very important 11th grade, the 12th grade parents go "I'm not paying to travel anymore" because their kid already has already gotten seen and possibly committed?

I'm just guessing here...feel free to set me straight. I can't work this out logistically.

We went age pure for the benefit of other competing against other countries at a high level right?

But some countries do schooling for year of birth. And their college recruitment doesn't work the same as ours anyway.

Leave it to America to have issues with age pure when the rest of the world follows this process.

Most of the world (Not All) starts kindergarten with their year of birth...NOT what age you are on a specific day (September 1st etc).

So they would all be 1990. Not half 1990 or 1991.

That is an issue unique to the US.

That is the discussion here...

I fail to see how age pure is wreaking havoc on teams now. The split was painful but not all the kids under the old set were in the same grade. Especially now with all the parents hold their BB and DD back to be the biggest/oldest in the class.

Sounds like some of your are whining just to whine about something. Exposure for the lower grade kids on a team is a GOOD thing. My two kids have zero problems bonding with their teammates that are in a lower grade.

CATX wrote:Sounds like some of your are whining just to whine about something. Exposure for the lower grade kids on a team is a GOOD thing. My two kids have zero problems bonding with their teammates that are in a lower grade.

Agreed.

We are still feeling the pain of age pure. What team is next to fold.

BENDMEOVER wrote:We are still feeling the pain of age pure. What team is next to fold.

I understand the complaint about splitting grades -- it is odd that friends in the same grade can't play on the same team without one playing up. But I don't see how that affects teams splitting up at this point. There are still the exact same number of players, so there should be the same number of teams no matter how you split them up....

And as you get into select, the players are from various schools any way, and are "soccer friends". But then you can always play in the Y where school grade is still the norm.

I love the fact my son is on the younger end. It forces him to up his level of play and when he gets to 7th grade and starts playing for his school he’ll have an immediate advantage over all those kids in his grade level. And he’ll essentially get an extra year of college exposure during high school as coaches will start the Showcase focus when it makes sense for the older boys on the team. It’s a win all around.

Alot of multi sport athletes will unfortunately break up alot of teams whether the coach is that selfish to condone school sports or they choose to split their time and school work playing for their school and with their classmates. Age pure is part of that process. You got middle school.kids and HS kids. It's just how it works.

I see what you are saying to an extent...

I have heard many 6th grade parents complaining about the 7th grade girls who don't come to soccer practice because they are playing volleyball, basketball etc. with their middle schools.

I can't say I know of it breaking up a team.

I'm talking about jr high and HS not elementary. I'm not following your thought process.

I guess I’m confused now too. 6th and 7th grade are JR high.....

Maybe your referring to 8th and 9th grade and now those kids are juniors and seniors?

Not following your thought process.

I would definitely say it would make recruiting better as kids could bring others from there class. Most rec teams start with kids from class. Plus the trust of other parents you know. Think teams would stay together longer since classmates with you. School year better

First world problem.

Just goes to show that some people aren’t happy unless they are absolutely miserable.

What teams are next?

From 2016-2018, the percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds playing soccer regularly has dropped nearly 14 percent. How much does age-pure have to do with this? Kids in elementary school who can't play rec soccer with their friends.

SickofStupidity wrote:From 2016-2018, the percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds playing soccer regularly has dropped nearly 14 percent.  How much does age-pure have to do with this?  Kids in elementary school who can't play rec soccer with their friends.

Cool! That’s 14% fewer kids that my kid has to beat out for a spot on the HS team!

Of course, I’m thinking if those kids actually quit soccer because age pure meant they couldn’t play with some of their classmates, my kid probably wouldn’t have any problem beating them out in the first place.