ECNL Travel Schedule ?

How many ECNL Tournaments do most teams participate in on average outside the metroplex? I'm curious as to the cost of not only the league but travel to out of state tournaments. Below are the National events. Do they participate in all of the scheduled events?

•Phoenix, AZ | September 29-October 1, 2012
•Sanford, FL | December 28-30, 2012
•Frisco, TX | February 22-24, 2013
•San Diego, CA | April 5-7, 2013
•Zarephath, NJ (PDA) | May 25-27, 2013
•National Play-Off | Aurora, CO | June 21-23, 2013 | All U15-U17 ECNL Teams & top 16 U18 teams
•2013 ECNL National Finals | Richmond, VA | July 10-15, 2013

Depends on the age group. You can find the requirements per age group on the ECNL site.

But in general - U15-U17 has to attend 3 out of 5 events offered. U18 and U14 is 2 out of 5 events.

Regionals/Nationals used to be mandatory whether you were competing for the big prize or not. Not sure about this year & it might be different per age group.

From what I've seen - about $8k per year is a safe assumption (dues/uniforms/travel/coaches expenses etc.).

C U L8R wrote:Depends on the age group. You can find the requirements per age group on the ECNL site.

But in general - U15-U17 has to attend 3 out of 5 events offered. U18 and U14 is 2 out of 5 events.

Regionals/Nationals used to be mandatory whether you were competing for the big prize or not. Not sure about this year & it might be different per age group.

From what I've seen - about $8k per year is a safe assumption (dues/uniforms/travel/coaches expenses etc.).

So far, one of the national events has been in Texas each year (College Station, San Antonio, and Frisco), so it was relatively convenient.

C U L8R wrote:Depends on the age group. You can find the requirements per age group on the ECNL site.

But in general - U15-U17 has to attend 3 out of 5 events offered. U18 and U14 is 2 out of 5 events.

Regionals/Nationals used to be mandatory whether you were competing for the big prize or not. Not sure about this year & it might be different per age group.

From what I've seen - about $8k per year is a safe assumption (dues/uniforms/travel/coaches expenses etc.).

Would it be fair to say that $3,000 to $4,000 would be Airfare, Car rental, and Hotel for the tournaments?
Dues/uniform 2500-3000?

Its Me wrote:

C U L8R wrote:Depends on the age group. You can find the requirements per age group on the ECNL site.

But in general - U15-U17 has to attend 3 out of 5 events offered. U18 and U14 is 2 out of 5 events.

Regionals/Nationals used to be mandatory whether you were competing for the big prize or not. Not sure about this year & it might be different per age group.

From what I've seen - about $8k per year is a safe assumption (dues/uniforms/travel/coaches expenses etc.).

Would it be fair to say that $3,000 to $4,000 would be Airfare, Car rental, and Hotel for the tournaments?
Dues/uniform 2500-3000?

I'm not 100% certain of this...but I would guess that most ECNL clubs (in NTX) are probably at the $3,000 mark for dues. $2,800 lighter side and a few just over at $3,200. Seems they all try to increase about every 2-3 years. I would say $3k average + uniforms, etc.

Further on ECNL - I looked on the site. ALL U15-17 teams HAVE to attend Colorado. So you are now at 4 events on the year (3 by air).

If you are lucky enough to do well in Colorado - you have one more in JULY! (Quick turn planning = $$$$)

As you can see it get's expensive quickly!

However - I did see LOTS of coaches at the games last weekend. Some games reporting 70+ coaches there.

C U L8R wrote:Depends on the age group. You can find the requirements per age group on the ECNL site.

But in general - U15-U17 has to attend 3 out of 5 events offered. U18 and U14 is 2 out of 5 events.

Regionals/Nationals used to be mandatory whether you were competing for the big prize or not. Not sure about this year & it might be different per age group.

From what I've seen - about $8k per year is a safe assumption (dues/uniforms/travel/coaches expenses etc.).

Does this estimate include Total Family cost or just the cost for each individual player?

What is your estimated cost for one parent to travel to each out of town event as well?

Our team will be going to Colorado for Memorial Day and for my DD and myself. (2)

Round trip Airfare (2) $583
Rental Car for wkend $115
Hotel 3 nights @$99 $300
Total $998

This isn't including food. So multiply that by 4 tournaments and you're at $4,000. Not including coaches travel fee.

I guess I need to start easing my daughter away from this academy and select stuff now, because there is no way I can afford those fees!!

Its Me wrote:Our team will be going to Colorado for Memorial Day and for my DD and myself. (2)

Round trip Airfare (2) $583
Rental Car for wkend $115
Hotel 3 nights @$99 $300
Total $998

This isn't including food. So multiply that by 4 tournaments and you're at $4,000. Not including coaches travel fee.

well there goes the $ for the family vacation...

most clubs require the girls to stay together, eat together, pay for a van, and pay for the coaches expenses. This can easily add another 350-450 per tournament. It would be interesting if some of the girls switched to LH after committing their soph yr and quit going to tournaments just to save the $

So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

Gunners wrote:

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

I am just trying to get a sense of the total cost for budgeting purposes. It sounds like you are already participating in ECNL.

Are you stating that your club only participates in ECNL events or does your team attend showcase tournaments such as Disney, Surf Cup. Etc as well?

ScrCrzy wrote:

Gunners wrote:

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

I am just trying to get a sense of the total cost for budgeting purposes. It sounds like you are already participating in ECNL.

Are you stating that your club only participates in ECNL events or does your team attend showcase tournaments such as Disney, Surf Cup. Etc as well?

Afaik, the older (U15+) ECNL teams only attend ECNL events. At U14 I believe there are some teams that might attend other events (for example the Texans do the Nike/Manchester United Cup).

ScrCrzy wrote:

Gunners wrote:

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

I am just trying to get a sense of the total cost for budgeting purposes. It sounds like you are already participating in ECNL.

Are you stating that your club only participates in ECNL events or does your team attend showcase tournaments such as Disney, Surf Cup. Etc as well?

My dd's team has done a few tournaments outside of ECNL over the last few years, but almost always inexpensive local events, like the FC Dallas Showcase, Dallas International Girls Cup, and for a couple of years, the Challenge Shootout in Houston.

Its really hard to beat the ECNL events for organization, competition, exposure, and cost, so there is really little motivation to do anything else.

Gunners wrote:

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

So what your saying is its way more expensive? LOL

mcik17 wrote:

Gunners wrote:

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

So what your saying is its way more expensive? LOL

Y'all made me curious so I pulled up the Quicken. LH D1 U-14, travel twice for PL (Broken Arrow & Austin), 2 out of town tournaments both driving (Denver & Austin), club fees, winter futsal & uniform from 7/1/12 to today is just over $5000. The year is not over so there will be more but not much unless we all agree to do another out of town tournament. I chose to drive to Denver but that would be an airline fare for most.

The bottom line is that we've spent $5000 so far without flying on any planes. If you throw in 2 more events where we have to travel via planes then we are right there with ECNL as far as costs go. U-15 to U-17 will be more I'm sure. So, there's not much of a difference unless you find a LH D1 team that doesn't have big travel plans.

geno105 wrote:

mcik17 wrote:

Gunners wrote:

Its Me wrote:So here is another question.

Is it worth $7000-$8000 for a U14 girls to commit to a ECNL team at this time? Especially for those that will be sitting the bench as non-starters?

That would be hard to travel to Vegas and maybe get 10 minutes in one or two games.

Or would it be better to be one of the Top 4 teams in North Texas? Remember that they'll be participating in Premier League games also. Then wait until U-16 and move to ECNL?

If the LHGCL team is a top team and plays PL and travels by air 1-2 times a year, then the cost difference between ECNL/LHCGL is small. This will remain constant throughout U15-U17 as well.

I don't know how many times I, and others, have said this on this forum. Why people continue to not comprehend it is beyond me.

So what your saying is its way more expensive? LOL

Y'all made me curious so I pulled up the Quicken. LH D1 U-14, travel twice for PL (Broken Arrow & Austin), 2 out of town tournaments both driving (Denver & Austin), club fees, winter futsal & uniform from 7/1/12 to today is just over $5000. The year is not over so there will be more but not much unless we all agree to do another out of town tournament. I chose to drive to Denver but that would be an airline fare for most.

The bottom line is that we've spent $5000 so far without flying on any planes. If you throw in 2 more events where we have to travel via planes then we are right there with ECNL as far as costs go. U-15 to U-17 will be more I'm sure. So, there's not much of a difference unless you find a LH D1 team that doesn't have big travel plans.

Which is exactly what I have told all of my '00 and '01 parent friends who have enquired about costs. The differences are nominal at best. I can tell you that if you are wanting to have your DD practicing and playing against the best competition in their age group, week in and week out, the decision should be simple. We have had a number of girls on our roster who have been dual rostered and had the opportunity to play in numerous games outside of our ECNL games. However, from a talent standpoint, a facilities standpoint and having every game played at an extremely high level, our first year in ECNL has been outstanding. From the top of the roster to the bottom, I have seen each and every player grow by leaps and bounds from August through today. Bottom line, that is what it is all about. Do not be dissuaded by any fears or rumors of cost being vastly different from what you are already used to.

Here is what I was able to find in ~20min of internet activity. I found the initial data in line with what most people are saying (i.e ECNL and PL/NL are roughly the same travel). ECNL at least at u15 (& u14) is less travel/cost.

I just looked at LP 98 Elite vs Texans 98 ECNL travel schedules/games posted for this soccer season (August 2012-July 2013). Feel free to add a tournament/travel event that I may have missed. Note one of the ECNL showcase events was in Frisco this year so it is not shown as a travel tournament below for Texans.

LP Elite 98
Premier League (Southern Premier League) games in Florida - 9/1-3
Premier League (Southern Premier League / West) games in Tulsa - 9/22-23
Premier League West Games in Austin - 11/10-11
USYSA National League Games in North Carolina - 11/29-12/2
USYSA National League Games in Florida - 12/31-1/2
Region 3 Championships in Oklahoma (qualified) - 6/21-27
National Championships in Kansas - 7/23-28


Dallas Texans 98 ECNL
ECNL Showcase in Arizona - 9/29-10/1
League game in Tulsa 10/20
League games in Houston 11/3-4
League game in Waco 11/17
League game in Houston 12/15
ECNL Playoffs in Colorado (mandatory) 6/21-23
ECNL Finals in Virginia 7/10-15

Trips:
Maximum out of town trips: LP-7, Texans-7
Maximum out of town trips requiring overnight stay: LP-7, Texans-4
Minimum out of town trips requiring overnight stay: LP-6, Texans-3
Maximum out of town trips likely requiring airfare: LP-4, Texans-3

Quick look at Sting 98 ECNL reveals same as Texans 98 ECNL.