Hey
@burgess1978 , not sure if you've seen this article about kids and development (squads in particular), it's from last year:
evolvefutbol.com
One of the kids in our team was just 'scouted' by the local development chapter. It's become quite the discussion amongst the parents. I couldn't believe the way it works for soccer.
They send a scout to one game. One.
They then try-out, and if they're selected, the parents have three days to pay a $500 deposit on the $1,500 total for the season. If you can't pay, you can't play. There's apparently no scholarships or the like, either.
The kids train three times a week.
Most parents, including one with a child in a development team, thought the age was too young (U8's) for this kind of pressure. We were also a bit take aback by the financial side and how disadvantaged families had no chance to participate.
The big thing for me was that the kid didn't really want to stop playing with his friends. All his friends are apparently laying it on thick because they want to all play together. He was 'talked into it'... I just hope he thrives in that enviornment and it's worth it, but I feel like he's going to get chewed up and spat out, and it won't be the same with his mates afterwards.
I actually shared with all the parents some of the info you'd posted here along the lines of that article, which I think was helpful, so cheers mate.