If you reverse engineer the national team program you'll find players are selected and do not pay to play. The only conclusion one can draw is fees are paid through contributions made by every club player in the national system.
The current state team system, which feeds the region team system, which feeds the national team system, would benefit from a structure built on the same principal.
I don't need to know how much of my annual rec., classic, or elite level dues are going to the state team financial pool my son or daughter may be fortunate enough to earn a spot on, nor do I care.
Such a system, would lead to a higher level of excellence during the club season for every player interested in playing at the next level. Why? Because competing for a personal reward or in this case an opportunity to earn a spot at the next level does something for an athlete no coach or parent can do.
Having a personal goal to achieve always brings out the best in the athlete who truly wants to do what it takes to succeed. Work hard, be coachable, have a great attitude, spend time with the ball away from practice, do more than is asked of you combined with some natural ability and you might get to play at the next level.
Wouldn't it be great if every player in the SC club system, regardless of financial ability, had the opportunity to compete for a region team spot (currently no charge) or a national team spot (currently no charge) because they were able to compete for a state team spot (currently an additional charge) because the fees were covered within the club fees in the event they were selected.
In my opinion. eligible players should be nominated by their coach and/or club and then invited to tryout by the coach of their SC ODP age group. Players who are not nominated should also be allowed to tryout for a nominal fee. In the event a non nominated player is selected, the participation fees would be paid via the system just as if the player was a nominated and selected player. This would prevent the potential problem of having the entire club system show up for ODP tryouts.
Surely an additional $15 or $20 built into rec. and club fees per season would be a logical way to bring about such an opportunity for all aspiring youth soccer players!
Imagine the excitement that could be generated among SC Club players for ODP with such a system in place.
