The term
"paradigm shift" has found uses in many contexts,
representing the notion of a major change in a certain
thought-pattern — a radical change in personal beliefs, complex
systems or organizations, replacing the former way of thinking or
organizing with a radically different way of thinking or organizing.
WEST MICHIGAN
SOCCER
The landscape of youth soccer in West Michigan has
changed over the last 17 years. That shouldn't be too
surprising. Most things do change over time. Change
comes to us all eventually.
The question I have raised is simple.
Are we really making progress in West Michigan or is
it just an illusion?
I think we are making progress but like an iceberg,
90% of it isn't visible at a glance.
There are many, including me, that believe that having only one
choice to choose from is having no choice. Henry Ford built
cars in black and said buy them or don't buy them...it's the only
color.
That is why I believe that it is important for the individuals
who run the clubs in Western Michigan to be aware of what is
happening in the soccer world. It is why I spend time trying
to keep people informed.
It is hard to say with any certainty where all of this is going
but one thing is sure. The players of West Michigan are
getting the best efforts of those in positions of power.
We do not always have to agree but we have to respect those that
are taking the risk.
What happens next?
Parents no longer have to drive to Detroit anymore if they don't
want to. Some still will of course, chasing that elusive pot
of gold at the end of the rainbow, a D1 college scholarship.
When they start, virtually none of them realize the sacrifices that
will be required of their child, the rest of their family and
themselves.
The Crew will continue to grow. They want Academy Club
status and ECNL Club status. It appears as if they are looking
to build in numbers to pay the bills and then use the numbers to
build credibility until the quality catches up. There are
glimmers of light in this process as the U15 boys advanced to the
Regional finals this week while the U18 boys advanced to the finals
again. They put 6 teams into the State Cup semi-finals and 4
teams in the finals. While the numbers of teams from other
clubs has temporarily fallen, this many teams from one club
represents a major breakthrough.
The West Michigan Clubs that can offer quality training and
organization for the Elite player will do so as they also attempt to
form select teams to help defray the costs associated with paying
for the Elite teams.
At this point, Alliance FC, PASS FC, SCOR and Michigan Fire Jrs
in Grand Rapids and Lakeshore Premier along the lakeshore are clubs
that offer equally capable coaching for the ELITE and upper level
players in the age groups they offer. These clubs have many
positives and some negatives. No two are alike and it is up to
the parent to find the best fit.
They do not have the sheer number of teams that the Crew has but
I think that is not an issue. Typically, once you get past the
2nd team in the U13-18 age groups or 3rd team in the U8-12 age
groups; many of the players are there simply to be part of the fun.
Soccer is the new country club for these parents and everybody wants
to fit in.
Scattered around the edges of Grand Rapids, GVSA clubs like
LASSO, CATS, CASSA, Vardar West, TNT West, OLE SC, Galaxy FC, Rapids
FC and Thornapple SC will offer up solid, consistent coaching for
many players. Occasionally, teams will form in one of these
clubs that will stay together through the sheer willpower of a coach
and parent group who will be very, very good. These will be
rare as the Elite level players will gravitate towards one of the
clubs who can provide ELITE training across all the age groups.
The Holland area currently has 3 clubs in it, USA, TNT West and
Costa United. The Michigan Fire Jrs will be attempting to move
into the area but that is for the future. USA has hit the
market correctly positioning themselves as the place to be, both
fiscally and benefit wise. They had 40 teams last years and
their tryouts this year were up.
The Grand Haven / Muskegon area and points north is unique.
GVSA clubs Tri-Cities Strikers, Fruitport, West Michigan Storm
(formerly Mona Shores), Muskegon Lakers and Reeths Puffer SC all
overlap the recreational programs that belong to Great Lakes Coed
Rec. In addition, they have formed a partnership to offer
ELITE level training through their own Premier Club, Lakeshore
Premier
ON THE HORIZON
The Academy program (Boys), currently offered by 2 Detroit area
clubs, VARDAR and WOLVES, will be expanding to include U14 this
year. This will further water down the MSYSA State Cup as the
elite players in the state will be moving out of MSYSA, MSPSP and
MRL competition at an earlier age, giving West Michigan teams that
have success, a false sense of accomplishment.
The Academy will also be going to year round which means those
players will NOT be playing in High School. Since most of the
Academy players are from the East side of the state, West Michigan
High Schools will have an easier time of it in MHSAA competitions.
The ECNL (girls) is planning this as well.
Both of these programs are now viewed as the place to play for
any player interested in playing at the highest levels which is why
the Crew wants to gain entry.
As the programs gain stature and respect, they are shrinking the
number of clubs in the system making it all the more difficult for
new clubs to get in. Interesting, clubs already in the system
have some veto power over new entrants placing one more very big
obstacle in the Crew path.