SSC is looking to implement standardized team names for all rep teams including Metro, Gold and Silver. I would be interested in hearing your nominations for a standard rep team name.

Post edited by: bruno, at: 2007/07/06 17:18

I think the team members should have a vote on this policy. If all the Metro teams of a given level, Metro, Gold etc have the same name then p_layer_s will lose a feeling of identity with their own team. It also makes it harder to track the progress of a given age group over the years if they have they same name as every other team at that level.

Those are three very good points: p_layer_ ownership, identity, tracking. Each of those are important to perpetuate the traditions of an individual team. However, if one _object_ive is to try and create a sense of a p_layer_ belonging to a club, then a standard rep team name would be more appropriate.

I agree with Dorothy: the teams will simply end up being called the "'94 Silver A's", or "the 93 Golds team" or by their coaches' last names instead of being called by a team name that they can identify with. For most people playing a team sport, it IS about their TEAM and their satisfaction with their TEAM.

I agree that a 'generic' name team with 'year and level' is lame. I fully appreciate the dynamics of the p_layer_'s ownership and identification. But I wonder if we could instill the same pride of ownership and identification for the team (and the p_layer_) at a higher level - the soccer club. 'Rep' teams are representing the club, not their age level, their coach, nor a flaming wild animal. If we adopted an appropriate club level name, it could be a start. One parent came to me and said they would be thrilled to have the same 'rep' team club name, since they could hand down club wear through their young family - a small but practical benefit.

But isn't that the plan? Each metro team would be called, for e.g. the Spirit. So to differentiate, they would likely be (either officially or unoffically) referred to as the 93's, or the 94's etc. I believe that the Club exists for the P_layer_S, not the contrary.