SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP What makes a team Premier?

Just curious as to the thoughts as to the naming of the U15 team from the "new" Bridge.

Are teams considered Premier even if they don't play in RSPL. I can understand that CESA calls their U13 and under teams Premier at times, because it is their top team in that age group before they are eligible for R3PL play.

But curious as to how many other Clubs have labeled a team as Premier when they are playing in the SCYSA Challenge League.

I know one of the reasons I heard repeatedly as to why some parents wanted to play there is because the team was going to be a Premier team. I asked one parent if they knew what R3PL was and she gave me a blank stare. Said that all she knew was they told her it would be a premier team and that was where her daughter was going to play because she wanted her daughter playing premier. (Also overheard another player tell some of her friends she was going to play for them because the coaches told her they could guarantee her a college scholarship.

I really don't want for my post to sound so pessimistic about these girls, but I do wonder about naming a team premier, when they are not playing in a premier league.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Premier (or elite) indicates that it the club's top level team in a specific age. some clubs use colors to indicate level of team. greensboro twisters (green) top level (white) 2nd level. nothing to do with what league team plays in.

Maybe it's the same thought process for naming a top team elite.

I could understand Elite for the top team. I guess when I see Premier for any team over U14 I think of those teams that are playing in R3PL, not for a team in the Challenge League.

Well they(Coastal) are using same logo and colors as Columbia. Columbia name their top teams elite so I guess Coastal went with premier. Doesn't reflect what league they are playing in.

You can call all the clubs that use this sort of team naming to get an explanation. I have seen other clubs that didn't have a team playing in the premier league use this name before. Not a big deal in my book....

I have had the same questions in the past. I have not heard it used in South Carolina much but in Georgia they often compare teams by "Select" rating. For example, the Arsenal may have a U-17 playing S-1 level (in their case it would be a "Blue" or "Gold" named team, and also might have a U-17 playing S-2 level soccer (named a "Green" or maybe even a "White" team). I really don't know how the Select "S" rating is used in South Carolina but in the Georgia leagues the girls would be playing Athena A if they were S-1 level teams and it was typically described as Premier level soccer. Georgia still had their R3PL teams but I don't know if that was 'above' S-1 or not. They tended to rotate in and out of the Athena A level on a year to year basis. Teams playing lower levels Athena B through D were not usually described as Premier. I was often confused when we played SC ball by the differences in Challenge vs Premier, vs Classic. South Carolina seemed to have broader categories than Georgia.

Some clubs that label their top teams premier are taking what was once an earned title just to get parents to buy into the team. Reality is that most of these kids are barely Challenge players. It's a great marketing ploy you are always going to get a few gullible people....just hope it doesn't back fire and that they can live up to the name.

I think it's either wishful thinking or scam marketing on the gullible.

Scam marketing or wishful thinking, I have not seen any remarks about this one as yet.
So why call a team elite and they are playing classic soccer is SC?

Let's move on, too many attempts to get a cheap shot in at some clubs..

First of all, I did not intend for the thread to become a bash on the team. My question was merely to ask why a team would label themselves premier when they are are not playing in R3PL.

As to calling themselves Elite, I personally don't think any teams over U14 should be calling themselves Elite unless they have placed in at least the top four in the state in the previous year's state cup.

I've seen other teams call themselves Elite and they really were not. They were your average Challenge team. I think teams in Challenge have the right to call themselves challenge, teams in Classic should be called classic. I don't necessarily agree with teams calling themselves Elite or Premier unless they are in R3PL or had a strong showing at their State Cup.

That's just my opinion. It is not meant as a cut or slam about anyone else.

I think this team looks fairly strong, and don't intend to bash anyone. Just wondered about the name is all.

I can't believe a club coach could "guarantee" a college scholarship to one of his players (unless he was also a college coach).

Premier, Challenge, Classic are all leagues that connotate a level of play in South Carolina. Elite, White, Gold, Superfantastic, are all adjectives used to describe teams in a club.The use of the league designation in the name of the team implies that that team has achieved that level of play. In some cases that is a lie eventhough it sounds good.
That is the problem that most people have with clubs using that designation for a team that in some cases is not even eligible for Premier play. Do not kid yourself that the DOC's in the clubs are well aware of the marketing potential this designation brings to the team. I know many parents that were thinking their U-12 premier team and the U-16 Premier team were on the same level but of different ages.
I know we are talking semantics but sooner or later someone is going to start calling their U-11 boys team the U-11 Champions League Premier and some dumb a-- parent is going to start looking for their games on the soccer channel.

What channel is that on?
Never joined a team based on a team's name..I would not recommend it either..
If your child is playing at the challenge level,I would hope that most have been around the block a time or two and let past experiences help in their decision making..

The truth has been spoken!

If you child is playing at what you consider a premier level than the parents should know that team fairly well at the end of tryouts. Talking with the coach post tryouts will give you a feel for where you child may fit into the team. It also allows you to size up the coach. Some great coaches may not be a fit for your child.

I would be leery of a club coach who would guarantee a college scholarship. Ya think he might be lying? Most if not all club coaches I have dealt with are all about developing the players skills when talking on an individual basis.

I have always felt that if your child is good enough they will get noticed. However, the child must be ready to seize the opportunities that are opened before them!

I've heard it from more than one coach here in South Carolina. Happens way more than it should.

I was told one of the reasons that the older girls team from Bridge left and went back to Mt Pleasant was because they realized they were not getting college scholarships so they decided they wanted a more relaxed fall season.

Now I heard that from a friend who heard it from a friend, so I know that the story may have changed as it got passed around.

But yep, know some players who switched to Bridge/SAA/Carolina girls this year because the coaches were going around telling kids and their parents he will get them a scholarship.

Do not know why the girls went back to MP but if they went back for a more relaxed Fall season..I would think that they wanted a break from Champ..I hear she is very demanding and to play HS ball and club ball for the same coach could wear on some after awhile..

tigers87 - what club do your kids play for?

Ok, I may be way off here, but is it possible the coach was talking about getting the player a scholarship to play at the particular club, i.e., having a portion, or all of their club/training fees waivered?

I realize you did mention the word "college" in a previous sentence, but you also mentioned you heard it from a friend of a friend; and I know how stuff like that can get all twisted.

Just a thought....

tigers87, also, where do you see the names of any teams from the "new" Bridge? not saying it isn't so, just wondering.

Been around this area for awhile..been to way to many practices and tryouts..Know a good deal of coaches in the area..I have never heard a coach promise a scholarship to any player in my ten years around the sport..If they are giving them out..let me know where..

i've heard it used on some parents as in, well, your kid needs to start thinking about scholarships & this team will put him in good position.

I'm sure it's been used as a recruiting tool..I've just never seen it happen..Now..when I am around a large group of parents..I hear it all the time..I think parents fuel this idea more than coaches..