SoccerWire recently received the following letter to the editor from a frustrated member of the U.S. youth soccer community, discussing the topic of aggressive recruiting tactics by some clubs.
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See the full letter to the editor from an anonymous SoccerWire reader titled “Fed Up” below:
I’m talking about what I feel is a major problem facing our football organizations and, more importantly, our young football players. This year has reached a new low point in the mission to provide an environment where our children can thrive and where adults foster long-term participation in sport, which sees a significant decline at age 13. As a collective group, we are failing. properly serve the youth soccer community in the United States.
What I am referring to is the business of youth football, which has led to the widespread THEFT of players from smaller, or perhaps just more ethical and responsible, clubs. It infuriates me to know that some organizations (despite what they preach) do not put the player first in any way. The goal of officials and team leaders is to help our young people reach their potential on and off the field. Organizations should fulfill this extremely important obligation with the best interests of young people in mind.
What I have seen and heard this year is a world full of promises that are unlikely to be kept. Players’ heads have been filled with the idea that the path to their dreams is narrow and can only be achieved in a certain color of jersey. Worse yet, there are many coaches and managers who are doing a great job, developing the right type of player, who will actually advance the game as a whole, and their players are being fed the idea that this is wrong , and these coaches are actually going to hurt. the players’ chances of achieving their objectives.
For my part, I am tired of seeing clubs stealing players from big coaches and organizations. I understand and agree that some players at the highest levels should move to more competitive environments, if that is their desire. What I can’t stand by and watch are the mass acquisitions of players that clubs are trying to achieve at the moment. We all know the reason; Numbers. More numbers means better business health.
Clubs aren’t there to do business, are they? They’re all nonprofits, right? They are all there to serve the children, right? Unfortunately, not all, and maybe not many.
If I may, let me remind everyone how the business side works….
Club A recruits and steals players from surrounding clubs.
Club A wins matches, wins tournaments, wins state cups.
Club A posts on its website and all forms of social media about its success. They present themselves as leaders in player development.
The result is that it attracts more players who might be a little better than average to go to Club A. So the cycle perpetuates itself. As soon as someone better enters, the lowest player on the totem pole is kicked out. For what? Well, rather than committing to developing the player, they commit to the player who gives them the best chance of winning. Let’s not forget that many of these drives were developed elsewhere. In some cases, they all were, but the marketing message will remain: “We are #1 in player development!” We will get you your D1 scholarship! I heard it directly. It is pathetic.
As mentioned, I am (I think we all are) receptive to the idea of players (who are ready) to move on to a more competitive opportunity. So what does this best opportunity look like? If you’re to believe what coaches and clubs tell players, it’s that being in the second or third team is a better opportunity at their club than in someone else’s top team. Could this be true? Maybe, in some cases.
However, year after year, and this year being by far the worst, some clubs have to fill their squads again with new players from their rivals or the smaller club next door. This begs the question; If what you are offering these kids is so amazing, why do you need to steal from other clubs again and again to fill your roster? If you are so good at what you do, why aren’t you developing YOUR players?
If your system is so good, so proven, and if this is the only possible path, it seems to me that no one could compete with your methods, nor with your players. I’m actually curious why your teams aren’t better. I’m curious why you continue to welcome players year after year in all age groups. Beyond the business aspect, could it be that you’re contributing disproportionately to dropouts because you’re not putting players first?
I have no other solution to this problem than to at least try to start the debate.
