KBK

Yes ERHS has struggled over the last few years but a big part of that seems to be lack of support.They actually do have players that have been and are currently on select teams at Camp Jordan.However,at least as far as the girls, you're talking about a team that didn't even have true soccer uniforms until last year.Previous teams wore sofie shorts(rolled)and tied up t-shirts.I think that they've come a long way the last couple of years and hopefully will continue to improve!! Congrats on their wins this season /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> As for select, I 'm sure that there are many "elite" clubs/teams out there...but it's all in what you're looking for....you don't have to join one of those teams ........there are all different levels.Granted rural areas may not have as much access to established teams, but all it takes is enough interest from players and an adult willing to coach...find someplace to register out of ...ie local rec center, YMCA, and you have a team. Both my children started off on rec teams that moved up into the select program with parent coaches. Actually, I think that the time committment is a far bigger deterrent than the expense with many families. I have one child who travels to tournaments as far away as Miami and has taken a couple of team bus trips. Yet, her brother's team plays mostly local tournaments and scrimmages with usually only one 'overnight' per season, in order to keep costs reasonable.Both teams participate in fund raising and sponsorship opportunities to help with costs. Just look at the expenses involved in select softball and competitive gymnastics if you think that soccer is pricey.Of course our friends and family involved in those sports seem to spend every weekend that they are not traveling working on fundraising events in order to make the fees affordable.....whew...more time than I want to spend... /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" />

The Chattanooga area has an annual indoor tournament hosted by ERSA at the Camp Jordan Arena in Jan. www.ersoccer.org

Notre Dame also played their entire bench throughout the game and there were no seniors on the field for the final 10-15 minutes of the game exc. the goalie...... Carly

What about forwards Kris Cambron 10th/Notre Dame/Express 91 Carie Leiper 9th/Notre Dame/Impact 92

Actually we have played the Sat pm game and then turned around and played the Sun am game at some tournaments we've been to in the past( luck of the draw??)We've also played 3 games on Sun in the past. As far as the length of the game, you are correct the U-16 ( in the Atlanta tourny) did not play 80 min games, however they did play 70 min games.So just a 5min half difference??Also several of the brackets did have semi-final matches..so if a team was able to advance ,they had the potential to play 3 Sunday games. As far as the TSSAA rule,I don't think that it's possible for some outside entity to determine ( more so than the parents) what is in the best interest of the player. Obviously it's too much to carry a full HS schedule and a full club schedule at the same time.However, the players should be able to participate in specialty tournaments( ODP, college showcase, regional,national events) during the school season, if all logistics can be worked out between player,parents, and coaches.They shouldn't be placed in an "either or"position and forced to choose between their teams.If there are abuses of the system then TSSAA needs to address those teams directly( just as with the new proposition being discussed) rather than passing a 'blanket 'policy.

I'm curious which club teams you're discussing that aren't allowed to play 3 games in a 24 hour period??Any tournament we've participated in always has at least 3 games , hopefully 4 .On ocassion with a semifinal scheduled, the girls have even had 3 games on a Sunday.Yes, it's hot but if we'd been down at the Atlanta tournament this past weekend with the boys, we would have been scheduled for the same amount of games. K