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Health & Fitness

#1 - Got to start somewhere

My first foray into a blog about premiere-level soccer the Germantown/Moco area.

This is - or will be - a blog about soccer - particulary "premiere" youth soccer - in and around Germantown and Montgomery County. And, while it'll probably wander into ideas and themes that apply to other youth sports, management of a premiere-level girls soccer team is what I do when I'm not doing what I get paid to do so that's what it'll be about.

And, of course, I have to actually start at some point and that point is right now. Today, I blog. So, bear with me. Feel free to comment and try not to hate.

When the pre-Borislow Washington Freedom were trying to solicit investors, their Powerpoint deck stated that over 600,000 kids play soccer in the DC-metro region. This is split roughly equally between boys and girls. (I'm sure I could try to dig up how many play at a premiere level but that's another post). While this is large number, the soccer community here is really quite small and interrelated. Everyone knows everyone.

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In the Germantown area, premiere-level (aka "Travel" or "Select") clubs abound: MSC, DSC, Pachuca, SSA, Potomac, WSC, CSC, Frederick FC, Bethesda, LUYAA and others. These clubs play in NCSL (boys), WAGS (girls), OBSL (both), and probably other leagues. There are also very good "classic" teams that could opt to play in premiere leagues and there are premiere teams that might enjoy life better playing classic. And there is great soccer talent everywhere - not just on the premiere teams. Not everyone wants to or has the time and money for the commitment of premiere level soccer.

The number of clubs means lots of opportunities for boys and girls to play on a premiere team but it also means intense competition for players. Most of this is above board and some is rumored to skirt too close to the line. In my stint as manager, I've seen many of the things that make teams sports great for our children and many of things that make it terrible for our children. I hope to be able to discuss both in this blog.

Find out what's happening in Germantownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here's my qualifications, such as they are: My 12 year old daughter plays soccer on an area "premiere" team. She's been on the same team since she was 8 and it's been great for her, rough on her sister, and both fun and frustrating for her parents. She's found her role on the team and, while she dreams of playing for the national team, as parents we realize that she is not the "next Mia Hamm" and is not destined for free-ride to college based on her soccer ability. I manage (but do not coach) her team.

Anyway - it's mid-June. if you are a parent of child with soccer ambitions, you have likely just completed or are still knee-deep in tryouts. Hopefully your child found a spot on the team they wanted and you might be wondering "what's next?" Let's discuss that in my next entry.

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