A number of years back there was a push from BC Soccer for season change. Basically the belief was we needed to align our season with the rest of Canada which played from spring into the early fall. It was also seen to address problems with poor field conditions and subsequent field closures and game cancellations. The other benefit was increased participation due to the better weather. Season change was championed by LISA but was not popular with LISA Clubs. Conflicts with other sports (baseball, softball) and lack of access to fields (same sports) were cited as the main reasons season change wouldn't work so the idea went away.
I wasn't sold on the need for season change at the time. Our club had recently invested in two turf fields, Lakehill's was a matter of months away and it seemed a new turf field was being built about every other month in the CRD. So in my mind that solved the field closure problem (and I believe it has). And I wasn't sure we would see improved registration numbers as I've always viewed declining registration more a reflection of demographics and the abject manner in which some clubs treated their members (no names, but some clubs are run like daycares).
However once the BC High Performance League made the move to change seasons I've thought it natural that Tier 2 move seasons as well. The HPL season starts in February and ends in November, with a break from about mid-July to the end of August. They've yet to even begin their first season so it will be interesting to see how their season will be received but after coaching Super Y there's no reason to think people wont play soccer during these months. Many Tier 2 players play year round anyway, playing for academy teams once their club team season is finished. The better question is will the best players be interested and available to play. Dual-sport kids are extremely common, especially on the girls side where good athletes are coveted by all coaches.
So should Tier 2 (VIPL, MSL) follow suit?
I think it's worth considering, if for no other reason than if we're truly sincere about long-term player development then it's important that the top two levels (at least the top two) play at the same time of year. At present try-outs for HPL happen two-thirds of the way through the Coastal season and just prior to cup play. What coach or parent wants a situation where they have to change teams mid-season? And what player wants to leave their team mid-season?
What would be better for the game was if HPL teams were selected in January/February and Tier 2 teams shortly afterward. This is better for all parties - HPL, clubs and especially the players. It would provide certainty that is lacking now. It would also allow the consumer to make more informed decisions.
This would create synergies between HPL and Tier 2, the same synergies we felt VIPL would offer but hasn't (yet). The reality is there is very little movement between VIPL and HPL because their seasons conflict. But if played contemporaneously (say HPL on Saturdays, Tier 2 on Sundays) you might actually see easier player movement (up and down the ladder) and better player development over the long-term.
Your thoughts? I know we have several multi-sport families so I appreciate it would make for hard choices. But soccer in Canada needs to make hard choices and one of them might be making the sport more attractive for players by playing when the weather is warm.
Look out your window tonight and let me know if that white stuff on the ground doesn't away you at all. ;-)
PS Season change wouldn't necessarily impact cup play. We could leave A Cup where it is now - July - or move it to October. National Championships are held in November.
0 comments:
Post a Comment