More and more high school-aged players are forfeiting the opportunity to represent their high school teams in order to train on a year-round basis with their US Soccer Development Academy team.
Jackie Friedman of the Star Ledger writes about top high school players in New Jersey who are playing for their Red Bull Academy team opposed to their high school teams.
“I definitely love the tradition of high school soccer because it’s so much fun, but you really gain your skill and keep improving when you’re playing academy,” said Ehrenworth, who earned a scholarship to play at West Virginia University next fall. “At Red Bull, we’re fighting for a starting job every single practice. You can’t afford to make any mistakes; you’re going all-out every day against the best players.”
Predictably, high school coaches fear the proliferation of academy programs will hurt their sport, dilute the overall quality of play and have other long-term effects.
“It’s taken away something I feel is important to a lot of kids’ lives,” said John Nacarlo, the boys soccer coach at Holmdel. “When you’re growing up, playing for your high school should be a big deal.
“It’s not anymore. And it’s definitely going to get worse.”
Jackie Friedman of the Star Ledger writes about top high school players in New Jersey who are playing for their Red Bull Academy team opposed to their high school teams.
“I definitely love the tradition of high school soccer because it’s so much fun, but you really gain your skill and keep improving when you’re playing academy,” said Ehrenworth, who earned a scholarship to play at West Virginia University next fall. “At Red Bull, we’re fighting for a starting job every single practice. You can’t afford to make any mistakes; you’re going all-out every day against the best players.”
Predictably, high school coaches fear the proliferation of academy programs will hurt their sport, dilute the overall quality of play and have other long-term effects.
“It’s taken away something I feel is important to a lot of kids’ lives,” said John Nacarlo, the boys soccer coach at Holmdel. “When you’re growing up, playing for your high school should be a big deal.
“It’s not anymore. And it’s definitely going to get worse.”
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