Why VMSL is Superior to the FVSL.

Today I put my attention to the local soccer scene here in Vancouver British Columbia. The Lower Mainland has many amateur adult winter leagues but non more competitive than the Vancouver Metro Soccer League (VMSL) and the Fraser Valley Soccer League (FVSL). Today I am going to concentrate on both respective premier divisions and try and justify whether the VMSL is or isnt better than the FVSL. The VMSL is regarded by many the "best premier division in British Columbia", but why? Well simply put, "the best players play there". In my opinion no not "the best" instead I would rephrase that statement and say "some of the best players play there". This article is more then just the VMSL vs. FVSL, this article goes deeper to where the leagues get their players from.

The VMSL does have some of the best teams in the Province because of the connection they have with the youth leagues, Universities, Colleges and even the Whitecaps. So how is the FVSL suppose to compete with the VMSL on the provincial level when there connection with the community is so strong? The so called "head honchos" in the FVSL need to look long term and realise the VMSL is considered better because of the development programs the clubs in metro Vancouver are using on their youth teams. In recent years the FVSL on an organizational point of view has got a lot more organized and developed and one can argue more so then the VMSL. The FVSL has even made significant improvements when looking at the competitiveness of their respective teams but what hurts the FVSL the most is there lack of involvement in helping develop their local Select youth teams. Abbostford Mariners is currently the only club that is developing exceptional players year after year in the fraser valley at the select level but other then Abbostford where are the other clubs? You can't consider Coquitlam Metro Ford SC a fraser valley club because they are registered in the VMSL. So again how is one club from the fraser valley suppose to compete with clubs like Burnaby, North Shore, Surrey, Delta, Vancouver and Coquitlam Metro Ford? Well its not secret why the VMSL recruit better players, It is because the youth teams that feed the VMSL have better development then the teams in the fraser valley and what makes it worse is those good players coming out of the fraser valley will jump ship to the VMSL once there old enough because they know its better soccer.

So specifically how should the FVSL get involved? Well for starters create summer clinics to make younger kids aware. Then move to getting proper coaching for these youth teams and even more specific get the select teams proper trained coaches and training gear so they can train at an elite level as they are suppose to but the FVSL need to make a huge splash and make players aware of their involvment so player know who is helping them develop. If they dont know this then it is a waste of time for the FVSL, If they know then it creates that attraction to want to join the FVSL.

There will obviously be the money issue when talking about development but again which can be solved by awareness in the community. I know its easier said then done but the FVSL sohuld spend a bit of money promote the league better and get businesses involved with either sponsorships or lunches/bbq's at the games and even get involved with local schools. Promoting this league can bring it to new heights, I know it can be done, it will take time and you need the right people in head office to make this happen.

Obviously this is one mans opinion, so tell me what you think would help the FVSL.