by POP Time » Fri Jun 21, 2013 1:47 pm
I think all this shows is that at the younger age group ASA Nationals might still be the more prestigious tournament. I think most of the teams from our side of the country would prefer going to PGF for the cost yet. the rest of the country is more in love with ASA Nationals. As the girls get older you see more teams from around the country traveling for the recruiting side of things.
What I don't get is why kick the teams in the mouth for getting an invite why not kick PGF in the mouth. Most of you say it is ok for Hype because they have been on top in the Sac area most of the year. Some of you but not all say it's ok for TC because at least they qualified for ASA Nats. Most of you say Lions what did they do???
Take 3 invite examples
Hype: A team who has traveled to Vegas, Fresno Force, MDC and played in 2 qualifiers. This team has represented well but failed to qualify for PGF or ASA came in 6th (I think at PGF Qualifier) Solid team plays well every weekend. Received an Invite probably because they chased and played in more than one qualifier.
Team CA: A team who has traveled to The Brenda Marsh Tourney, Fresno Force, and MDC played in 1 qualifier and was runner up qualifying for ASA Nationals. Solid team who has better getting better all season. Recieved an Invite because they qualified for ASA Nationals and I am sure it didn't hurt traveling down south to get their name out.
LTG Lions: A team who traveled to The Brenda Marsh Tourney, Fresno Force, MDC played in a qualifier and is traveling to Best of the west this weekend. This is a solid 01 team who is getting better every week. Probably got an invite because Joe Henderson or Jolene Henderson called in a favor but I would also say it had to do with being 3rd at Metros and getting their name out by traveling.
All of these teams have a few things in common.
1 They travel and have coaching staffs who represent their Organizations well which Tournament Directors like.
2 They chased what they needed to and represented well when it mattered.
3 The PGF directors probably have little to no idea who these teams are. Unless you win in a PGF tourney every weekend they don't have a clue who you are until you get older and play down south every month. Most teams receive invites for one of 2 reasons. They either played well in a ASA Qualifier and were asked or they did something as easy as writing an email telling them who they are, what they have done and asked for an invite. Some might have even done both.
If the system is set up this way, you should be pissed off at your own coach because your team didn't travel and your coach didn't get to know the right people when doing so, or because your coach didn't write an email to get your name out there. There is more to coaching than what happens on the field. I would also say be a little pissed that your team didn't play well when it mattered.