Quote:

"Development ending at U12-U13? Deliver us from short-sightedness. There is still a lot to be done well past that age"

While I agree with this....I'll stick to my original premise that starting at about u13, if your child plays at the highest level, understand that its all about results and that coaches and clubs will be measured by State Cup performance, Region 3 performance, R3PL performance, Disney, CASL Shootout, WAGS, etc etc





I agree completely with the reality of this. Especially at the higher level, winning is a strong emphasis...after all, if there is no drive to win, then what is the motivation for player development? Still, I don't think it should be the ONLY emphasis...and playing only the top players and leaving the rest relatively undeveloped can be short-sighted for some people. Looking at the long view, you can win the battle but still lose the war, especially if the unexpected happens and someone has to fill a vacancy left by a "favorite."

I agree with what several people have said...players should choose a team that best fits their goals and needs. What parents and players are investing in is a quality, rewarding experience...which might mean different things for different players. Win or lose, if the players get something positive from their playing experience and finish the season with something more than they started it with--whether it's skill, fitness, confidence, wisdom, self-esteem, experience, exposure, or any combination of things--few people would say they wasted their time and money.

I've got good news and bad news...