by Defty » Tue Jun 25, 2019 10:47 am
You have ask a very simple question for a highly complex issue. Whether or not you choose to read this long-winded response keep in mind that this is just one persons opinion...
The name of the organization should only be one of many factors you consider when choosing a team for your daughter. Its actually ironic that they are called organizations because that is often what they lack (organization). The only real consistency you will find with most orgs at the lower age levels is that they wear similar uniforms.
What you really need to do is get out and watch some games/practices for any team that you are looking at for your daughter. Get as much information as you can to determine if the coaching style, schedule, other plays, parents, etc. is the right match for you. The real problem with this is, if you don't know what you are looking at there is no way to intelligently judge what you are seeing.
99% of coaches are going to tell you the same thing... no daddy ball, plenty of playing time, small roster, blah blah blah. Almost every coach that does not have a resume to lean on mimics the words of coaches that have actually seen success, so it is difficult for newcomers to tell the difference between the real deal or a copycat. Coaching for 20 years, coming 7th at TCS nationals, winning a random tournament, etc. does not make someone qualified. Having been a D1 player doesn't necessarily make someone qualified to coach either. Having coached and had success at coaching is what should tell you whether or not someone is qualified and/or getting it right. If a coach has a history or getting it right for a long period of time, and in recent years, and your daughter is good enough to make that team, that is would likely be a good place to be.
Also, word of mouth is really hard to rely on. Many parents you will speak to have strong opinions based on their own personal experiences, which could vary greatly from someone else who has a daughter on the very same team. You also have to take into consideration whether or not the parent you are speaking with can be considered an authority solely based on having a daughter that plays.
Long story longer... your daughter/you/your family are about to embark on a journey that requires patients, assertiveness, research and many other things. Something I am certain of is that you should know your kid best. Don't let some bonehead coach tell you that you need to just drop your daughter off with him/her and that is it. Trust and respect are built over time. Pay close attention to what is happening and make calculated intelligent decisions based on the need of your daughter and the family that is being dragged around nearly every day of the week for travel related events.
If you can find a parent that has been through this already and doesn't think so highly of themselves that they pretend they know it all, then pick their brain as much as you can. At the end of the day it is your job to raise your daughter and make sure she is in the best situation.
Lastly, the extra work that you and your daughter put in outside of team practice and games is gonna be the difference maker. I have yet to see a player that has had any form of success that only goes to practice and games and takes the rest of the week off.
Good luck my friend