Doing things secretly causes problems. Why not just open the tryouts up to all 8th graders. In one school a number of girls were brought up from middle school quietly to tryout for varsity (and not because of a numbers need). Others with equal talent (not an opinion, fact) weren't given this opportunity. To avoid problems why not invite all? Most that are not close to being ready will pass on the tryout and the coaches can take those who they had planned on taking anyway. Plus, in an ideal world, maybe a sleeper without the right connections will catch the eye of a coach.
How about this travel dad, your kid will have more than enough time to play varsity. Just because the people you write the big check to every summer tell you how great your kid is doesn't make it so. Wait your turn and don't rush it.
Most of these kids do not stand out on the travel teams, they blend in and nobody calls them great. Where they do stand out is back on the school team. I am also talking about the top teams from the top clubs here, 2nd or third team or off brand club this doesn't apply. Now if an 8th grader from one of the top teams and the top clubs is a standout on that team, believe me she is more than qualified to be playing varsity. Reality is there are only a very small number of girls on LI who fit this description, maybe a half dozen. Everyone on this thread has their parent goggles on and believes that to be their daughter, that is the real problem here, your daughter isn't the "one".
