The U-13 Scramble for a place to play is on

Next year's U-13 scramble for spots to play have been on since the start of June. Wisconsin's East Central Soccer Association classic teams have been hosting tryouts, with more to come. Players are invited to play on State level teams first within the larger clubs. With increased rosters required to maintain a side as they change from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11, top teams are mining their second teams for talent, hoping to draw a few players from other sides, and replacing talent that may migrate to other clubs or to other interests.

Club cultures vary, with some like Appleton Soccer Club paying neutral assessors to rate all players within a single age 4 hour session, while others rely upon the coaches to fill out their sides after 1 1/2 hour sessions like those hosted by FC Magic. Some clubs may displace players who weren't performing as well at the tender age of 11 while a more promissing 10 year old outshines them at a single tryout session, NEW United hosts tryouts, and may not choose to form a team uniless there are enough players at the State Level. Other clubs remain loyal to players in the belief that it is up to them to develop those who started out in their program. In some clubs, players wait for weeks to find out if they are to be invited to a team in their age group. In other clubs, you know if there is a spot the night of the tryout or even beforehand.

The dramatic moments come when players grapple with multiple offers. Give five days by state rules, players may receive offers from multiple clubs, and parents may network to find out which players are planning to sign where. The very existence of some teams depends upon the decisions of players who may choose between multiple clubs. Nobody is committed just because they tried out. In fact, they may only be taking a look at the talent at another club in hopes of finding a better situation. And they aren't really committed until they sign the player pass from the club they choose.

Many coaches lament the loss of simpler times. At one time, a group of kids were developed by their coach in a more stable environment for as long as the players wanted to stay. Coaches only had to recruit players if someone moved away or lost interest. The common method was to invite guest players from recreational teams to tournaments or non-league matches. Then, the player would be invited when the next opening occured. The difficulty was in finding a coach like Jim Nash to work with your kids. Loyalty was a two way street, and players stuck with coach Nash in the same way he stuck with them. Each team became part of his family. Now, when you see Jim Nash walking through a tournament's fields, it is likely to see coaches stop and shake his hand, inquire about his grandkids and wife Elaine. There are many of his lads running teams for clubs. But they do so under many different guidlines and under many constraints that he finds frustraiting. Especially the fact that an organization will bring in people to tell them who to keep, and who to let go. And so, the scramble continues.