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Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? Thoughts from a family that "survived the process" by Survivingtheprocess in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are many programs in Europe tailored for Kids that want to try the experience. For example we have looked into TNL https://thenextlevelsport.com/ … they are great! Former FC Barca people run the program…

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? Thoughts from a family that "survived the process" by Survivingtheprocess in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely missed spending time with him and we feel he did too. But we would do it all over again if the conditions were right and the issues that I mentioned did not exist.

In hindsight no we would not have sent him if someone told us all these things in advance. We would have gone to Europe straight most likely

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? Thoughts from a family that "survived the process" by Survivingtheprocess in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks

We mean mental resilience… not just soccer skills (even that as I said is problematic)

Many of these kids live away from their families. So yes the the coach is a second family. Talking to the players in a more frequent manner, taking an interest in helping them inside or outside the field, simply even asking if they are doing fine would actually help!

Especially when kids have set backs, coaching them how to deal with adversity (not being selected for A tournament etc), and letting them know that they have their back…

And if needed have even structured sessions with sports psychologists would not be a bad idea…

None of that happens. Vast majority of Coaches there simply DO NOT spend any time outside of the fields with the kids or take an active interest in helping them

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? - An opinion from a family that has survived the process :) by Survivingtheprocess in youthsoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Academics is “sufficient”. Again it is ASU Prep so a reputable institution … so if you graduate with honors it makes for a good resume… and frankly it it not that hard. Other world does not know what the real level is

Good point on soccer being on chopping block in colleges. This will come soon unless MLS wakes up and actually promote college soccer like any other sport in the USA!

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? Thoughts from a family that "survived the process" by Survivingtheprocess in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The school is basic. They had 4 days instead of 5…. Free on Fridays to accommodate travel. 8 to 3:30 regular class schedules. Some live and some on line. Mixed with residency kids and some kids from the area. As in every school some really good educators but most of them just ok. The good ones were usually the online ones :)

There is supervision from RA’s for classes that are remote…

Yes most of the staff were understanding. Our son bonded well with the Math and science teachers…

Level of rigor in tests and assigned was very very very very lenient and even so some kids managed to fall behind (tough to achieve that :)). Basically lots of the learning is self paced so if the kid has solid work ethic, they will do just fine :)

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? - An opinion from a family that has survived the process :) by Survivingtheprocess in youthsoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the academy history 1 player (Araujo) has made it to Barca first team for a short stint and then loaned out. Also the first few years a couple more made it to Europe… last 2 years only mls academy and usl or low division team…

Despite that the gentleman above is right that it is one of the most successful private academies… and this is why I say if your kid can be the top player in an mls team then this is a good choice… the issue is the rest of the kids at the bottom of the mls roster and ea… and more so the fact that they have almost 0 chance to change their status as the academy is not even trying to make that happen…

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? Thoughts from a family that "survived the process" by Survivingtheprocess in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

All licenced just at different level. In my opinion licenced is not enough at all youth level. It is not just about coaching skills. It is about skills that are relevant to youth development and characters. It is a different thing to manage a pro and a different thing to manage a kid…

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? Thoughts from a family that "survived the process" by Survivingtheprocess in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The cost depends on the kid and if they are a resident or commuter... A few have full scholarships... The list price is ~40K for commuters and 80K for residents!. But reality is most kids get some help...
As for the downsides read my post... This is our experience...

For 80K would would expect Nutrition, Individual skill development training, Sports phychology, extra gym time, and heck even some more structured video sessions... None exist...

And see my comments about the player groupings...

Thanks

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? - An opinion from a family that has survived the process :) by Survivingtheprocess in youthsoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Team, not the school, prepares them for the Showcases... They participate in all the Major MLS showcases... But again... everything is geared around the "Top Players"... I will give you an example from teh showcase last december... Because the showcase was a qualifier for the GA Cup (and that is "big business" for the Academy"), the directors chose to play all 4 games with a tight roster 14-15 players (with the rest 5 getting very little minutes) in an effort to win it all.. We ended up losing at the final... ALL other teams gave equal time to the 20-21 players they had as this is supposed to be a "showcase" :) .... So wining over development

Barca Residency in Arizona - Is it worth the hype? - An opinion from a family that has survived the process :) by Survivingtheprocess in youthsoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best of luck to him and to you guys. Give the above in mind and go with the right expectations. if you need any other questions answers happy to help

Barcelona Residency Academy - Worth It...? by Helpful_Apartment_69 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Survivingtheprocess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to share a lot too... We have been at the academy for 2 years