by artomatic » Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:36 am
I hope you can take the following advice with an open mind, from someone who has gone through this twice. I promise I am not being condescending.
Even if your kid is way above the other 8 year olds, try to stay in rec until you are done with 10's, and then move to travel in 1st year 12's.
Maybe she can play up a division, if she is that superior to other players her age.
If your league isn't a strong league, maybe there are neighboring cities with stronger rec leagues. There are a ton of strong rec programs in Orange County/LA county.
Let her be an 8 yr old, let her be the star, let her play with her friends, have weekends free for parties, events, etc.
Once she moves to travel, alot of her free time will be gone.
She will play most weekends, and add to that lessons, practices, etc during the week.
Although there are 10u travel teams, 12's is a big starting point for the move from rec to travel in socal. If she is good and loves to play, she won't be behind if you wait until 12's.
In the meantime, start researching teams, and go out and watch them play. You can find out alot by just sitting in the stands and watching how the coaches work, how the parents act, and how the girls play.
JMHO, and good luck with whatever choice you make.
Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.