I agree 91 was very well run this year and the coaching was top notch. They might not be as talented as some other clubs but they are definitely moving in the right direction. Interested to see where this program will be in the next few years with the Spallinas and all the high school varsity coaches involved. Say what you want about how much of a family Elevate has become but when push comes to shove the CSH kids come first as do the Manhasset kids at Liberty. Also Elevate is starting to price themselves out of many communities just look at how expensive their camps are double the price of what Top Gun offers.
True about the lack of talent at 91, that is obvious if you ever watch them. Sounds like it's being run better though. My daughters Elevate team had 2 CSH kids which is less than 10% so I wouldn't say that is a lot.
Lack of talent is clearly an issue with 91. MOST not ALL but most of their teams (80% or so) do not play in any competitive tournaments. They play mostly in tournaments on LI and dont fare too well. They do not go to National Draw, Lax for Cure, etc. like YJ, TG, Elevate, etc. and play teams like M&D, Skywalkers, etc. Most 91 teams are not exposed to high level competition. I would think the fact that they play in low level tournaments and play B level teams and do not fare well, makes them a C Team. Again, this for MOST of their age groups.
If you mean MOST of their teams as their 3rd-7th grade, you are partially right. They go to Brine Club Championship where M&D And Skywalkers play. They go to tourneys on LI where YJ play (Babylon Lax Blast) and Hofstra where TG play. ALL of the grades above that go to all the top recruiting tourneys. SO if you want your all star 4th grader to play other YJ teams and pay all the tolls and hotels in Maryland have at it! That's the biggest complaint from parents at that age group. Getting the coaching and development with an age-appropriate tournament schedule is a good thing.
They used to say this about the boys 91 cub when it started. They had weak teams, would not be able to compete with express, etc. They got their boys program settled and soaring in about 6 years. During that time, they did lose sight of the girls program, which IMO- should not have been started until they solidified the boys program. I bet in a few years, 91 will be a strong girls club as well. It is about business, knowing lax/ having connections. Spallina knows about both. I think they will continue to bring in the bigger names for the girls, solid coaches, and in time you will see them growing. I find it interesting though, with the boys, they started focusing on the younger teams and grew the program up. With the girls, it appears they are focusing on some of the older teams first. GL to all the girls and may they land on a team where they are happy and learning. At the younger years, it should be about development and winning should not be a priority. The older years should be about exposure and recruitment. Winning is still important, but getting the kids into the right showcases and in front of the right coaches is half the battle. I think you will see continued positive growth in the girls program.
