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EPD Changes 5 2

[Turner b1kr]

WYS just posted the tryout schedule for 2012-13 EPD program.  From the website, it appears the total number of EPD teams has been reduced from 10 to 7.  Also, after offering teams last year for 2000s, they are not offering teams for 2001s.  But, 2001s can tryout for the 2000 teams.

Any insight on what is going on with the EPD program?

[soccer45girls]

No insight, sorry, but I thought I'd post the info and links anyway.

http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/2012-2013_elite_player_development_open_tryouts_announced/

2012-2013 Elite Player Development Open Tryouts Announced
July 30, 2012 02:31 PM
**Tryout registration will close on Wednesday, September 5th at 5:00 PM**

The EPD program is run on birth year (January 1st – December 31st). Please make sure that you register your player for the correct age group.
 
2012-2013 EPD Tryout Schedule
 
Boys Tryouts

Saturday, September 8, 2012
BOYS 2000: 9:00 - 11:00 AM Starfire Field #11
**Please note: Players born in 2001 are eligible to tryout for the 2001 age group**
BOYS 1999: 9:00 - 11:00 AM Starfire Field #4
BOYS 1998 11:00 - 1:00 PM Starfire Field #4
 
BOYS REGISTERATION
https://korrio.com/groups/elite-player-development-open-try-outs-boys-51183193/

Girls Tryouts

Sunday, September 9, 2012
GIRLS 2000: 9:00 - 11:00 AM Starfire Field 3
**Please note: Players born in 2001 are eligible to tryout for the 2001 age group**
GIRLS 1999: 9:00 - 11:00 AM Starfire Field 4
GIRLS 1998: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Starfire Field 3
GIRLS 1997: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Starfire Field 4

GIRLS REGISTRATION
https://korrio.com/groups/elite-player-development-open-try-outs-girls/

This is the tryout registration for the Elite Player Development Program (EPD)
 
•The tryout is at Starfire Sports: 14800 Starfire Way Tukwila, WA 98188
•Check-in for tryouts will open 45 minutes before your scheduled tryout time. Check-in will be located inside Starfire’s main gates by Field #2
•At check-in you will receive a number which you will pin to your shorts for identification purposes
 
Please bring the following items with you:
•Shin guards
•Cleats (Starfire is a Field Turf surface)
•Water
•Soccer Ball
•Signed Medical Release Form
•Players must wear a white shirt, black shorts, and white socks during the tryout - No club gear will be allowed
•Players must be paid in full, and registered with Washington Youth Soccer in order to participate in the tryouts (if you are questioning your status on either of these issues please contact Kimberly Grant: kimberly@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org

[Dead Guy]

Why? Because all the ECNL players didn't make their "elite Id2 pool"  pleaaaaase.  Make them conform to EPD by joining a team that will get them the exposure to EPD....if you look at the id2 pool NO ONE from ECNL in our state made it...things that make you go.......

[soccer45girls]

In all fairness, DG, I think your response is a little overkill. Both programs work well for players. Many ECNL players are looking at Div. 1 colleges already, so please lighten up. It's working for them, and that's all that really matters. I think this horse has been beaten a few too many times.   

[chicken wing]

Well stated.  ECNL already provides better exposure for players.

[LB125]

WYS just posted the tryout schedule for 2012-13 EPD program.  From the website, it appears the total number of EPD teams has been reduced from 10 to 7.  Also, after offering teams last year for 2000s, they are not offering teams for 2001s.  But, 2001s can tryout for the 2000 teams.

Any insight on what is going on with the EPD program?

This was the first year that they offered the EPD program for an age group as young as this year's 2000 squad.  When we were down in California for the Pro+ Invitational, they said they probably weren't going to offer the program for kids that young again.  We asked why not, because the kids seemed to be having a blast.  We were told that some of the parents were having difficulty with the situation in which the kids flew down together and stayed in their own hotel together without the parents.  They said some of the parents were calling a lot to check on their kids, even late in the evening.

I'm not sure I buy that explanation because none of the parents I talked to, including ourselves, seemed to be worried about their kids staying in another hotel.  In fact, we supported the idea of letting the kids stay together as a team and didn't call to check on our daughter once.  We enjoyed having the time to have an adult vacation, as our only responsibility for our daughter was to go and watch the games.  Further, when we signed up for EPD last fall, the program was supposed to include a Seattle tournament and a summer residential camp in addition to the California tournament.  The Seattle tournament and the summer camp just quietly disappeared from the program, with little or no explanation to the parents.

Having said that, I would do it again knowing what I know now.  The coaching was excellent.  The opportunity to train and become friends with players from other clubs was great for our daughter.  The team had several friendlies with the older EPD squad and older club teams which was great experience.  And the California trip was really fun for both our daughter and for us.  I'm sorry they aren't offering this opportunity for the 2001's this year.

[Soundbound]

The announcement on the wys web site isn't a model of clear writing, but it does say that 01's are eligible to try out for the 2001 age group, not the 2000 age group. Is there going to be a separate tryout for the 2001 teams announced at some later point? Or are the 2001's supposed to go to the 2000 tryouts?

[anyudes]

In fact, we supported the idea of letting the kids stay together as a team and didn't call to check on our daughter once.

Its a wonderful thing, isn't it? Not having to shuttle the kids back & forth is liberating. You still get to watch them play & have time to treat yourself  Best of both worlds!

[Turner b1kr]

The announcement on the wys web site isn't a model of clear writing, but it does say that 01's are eligible to try out for the 2001 age group, not the 2000 age group. Is there going to be a separate tryout for the 2001 team announced at sod later point? Or are the 2001's supposed to go to the 2000 tryouts?

It's a typo on the website, it should say the 2001s can tryout for the 2000s team.  Also, WYS also dropped the oldest girls team for EPD. 

Thanks for the insight LB125. Seems like WYS could avoid the parenting issue in CA by just letting parents know up front that they will not be able to stay with their kids at the tournament.  Good to hear that you thought EPD was a good experience.  How frequently did EPD hold practices?  Were there any other tournaments than the one in California?

[LB125]

The announcement on the wys web site isn't a model of clear writing, but it does say that 01's are eligible to try out for the 2001 age group, not the 2000 age group. Is there going to be a separate tryout for the 2001 team announced at sod later point? Or are the 2001's supposed to go to the 2000 tryouts?

It's a typo on the website, it should say the 2001s can tryout for the 2000s team.  Also, WYS also dropped the oldest girls team for EPD. 

Thanks for the insight LB125. Seems like WYS could avoid the parenting issue in CA by just letting parents know up front that they will not be able to stay with their kids at the tournament.  Good to hear that you thought EPD was a good experience.  How frequently did EPD hold practices?  Were there any other tournaments than the one in California?

They actually did let the parents know up front, and I remembered some did seem to be uncomfortable with the thought of having their 12-year old girl daughter stay in a hotel without parents.  It made us a bit nervous too when they first mentioned it, but by the time the tournament rolled around we were fine with it.  Between the coaches, the WYS staff, and the team managers, we felt there was sufficient supervision.  And I think that experience of travelling as a team and staying as a team facilitated team bonding for the girls who had only practiced together a limited number of times.

Practices were typically 1-2 per month, although they became more frequent when the Pro+Invitational was approaching.  One issue with practices was they frequently gave little advance notice (a week or less).  They were often scheduled on Sunday evenings, to minimize conflicts with club team events, I'm sure.  But that schedule was a killer for anybody who isn't within reasonable driving distance to Starfire.

The California tournament was the only event, which again, was disappointing because there was supposed to be one other tournament plus a summer residential camp.  That was definitely a let down.

[ThaBigCheese]

What exactly is EPD?  Does EPD = ODP?

[soccer45girls]

Elite Player Development vs Olympic Player Development
WA is attempting to take a broader approach to developing players in our state. That's why you'll see some go to ODP camp (USYS's ID camp for national pool identification) in the summer, while others will attend a non-ODP camp in CA or both. They have said in the past that they are trying to give the best experience/training possible to the players of WA. Their view is that this includes but is not limited to ODP. Some on the boys' side are transitioned into the Sounders Academy, if I'm not mistaken. This then broadens the male player's experience and exposure due to the time they spend at high level events vs one or two with just ODP.
Maybe someone can give a better definition. I know I'm leaving something out.

[LB125]

What exactly is EPD?  Does EPD = ODP?

It will all be crystal clear after reading WYS's explanation...

http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/programs/elite_player_development/

[ThaBigCheese]

What exactly is EPD?  Does EPD = ODP?

It will all be crystal clear after reading WYS's explanation...

http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/programs/elite_player_development/

Thanks LB.  I read the "About EPD" section and I guess I kind of understand.  It's ODP and then some.  I guess I don't really need to know all the ins and outs.  I was just curious...thanks!

[FutbolFanatic]

Sorry, erroneous post deleted.

[bigb]

So this morning we find out that ODP times changed for the 97s to 9am...So they make change on Friday morning and we didn't  check our email until this morning 9:30.... I wondering who else missed the time change.... My DD was very disappointed and I am with myself for not checking my emails 24 hour-7.... Sometimes WYS needs to call or not make changes so late!

[MichGoBlue]

So this morning we find out that ODP times changed for the 97s to 9am...So they make change on Friday morning and we didn't  check our email until this morning 9:30.... I wondering who else missed the time change.... My DD was very disappointed and I am with myself for not checking my emails 24 hour-7.... Sometimes WYS needs to call or not make changes so late!

My DD is a 98 and there was a 97 who came from Eastern Washington and did not get the word on the time change before arriving today.  There were 75 girls at the 98s - how many for the 97s anyone know?

Also I didn't see a lot of the ECNL girls there so not sure if they were given a pass if they were on the team last year, or just decided not to go this year?

[wanderer]

Less than that.

[chapsasoccerdad]

So overall the numbers were down from last year?  When do players find out if they made it?

[MichGoBlue]

Supposedly word gets passed today either way. Not sure if numbers overall are down - heard some big numbers from other groups.

[Fallfever]

2000s/2001s had what looked like about 120.  Hard to compare to last year since there were 3 initial tryout dates last year.

[sidelinerdad]

One of the parents on my ds team said emails about the tryouts have gone out.   Good luck everyone

[SidePitch]

2000s/2001s numbers - You count

[Fallfever]

And while I think they combined with the 99s, there was a group of about 30 keepers...thats a lot to look at in 2 hours.

[soccerworld]

..or 8 Coaches looking at 180 plus 2000/2001 boys in two hours...state needs to come up with something better.

[braziliansoccer]

And while I think they combined with the 99s, there was a group of about 30 keepers...thats a lot to look at in 2 hours.

yes, was crazy there-I cant imagine how difficult it was for the coaches- good news is that 3 of our 99's got invited back for round 2, which means less players

[Independent]

..or 8 Coaches looking at 180 plus 2000/2001 boys in two hours...state needs to come up with something better.

I have never had to evaluate that many players at one time but throwing 180 into scrimmages  for two hours seems a pretty speculative way to find the best talent to cultivate.

[goldengoal]

..or 8 Coaches looking at 180 plus 2000/2001 boys in two hours...state needs to come up with something better.

isnt that why they created the RCL's? I think the EDP is to raise money and occassionally find talent from smaller clubs outside the RCL

[LurkerRevealed]

I took my DD down to tryouts after they had doc place recommended players to the rtc's (regional Training Center). At the tryouts it was pretty obvious that 2 girls were a step ahead of the other 60 or so players. I know one of them was selected, not sure of the other was for rtcs. I got the impression they were not looking to cultivate anyone.  They wanted the ones who had already desided to put in the extra time to stand out.  The above average players were overlooked (possibly) because the obvious players were easy to spot. There most definately could have been others taken, but my DD playes with the one girl and her parents did not think any others from they tryout were asked to the north rtcs at that time. I personaly thought the RTC was a great idea, but I am sure cost was a factor. I know several girls on the epd team now that were above average 3 yrs ago had a way to continually show their improvement and eventually be followed through their initial connection to the RTC. I read some where coaches are scouting at games and our coach has been talked to by other coaches that indicated they may recomend players for evaluation. so a grass roots approach is being applied and might function just as well as the rtc did. Granted these are all assumptions and I could be way off.

[kneehighinwater]

We have friend who registered both their DD and DS but decided against the DD trying out this year.  The DS got a rejection letter and the DD got and acceptance letter  .  Go figure.