PART 2

PART 2: PARADIGM SHIFT or ILLUSION?

The term "paradigm shift" has found uses in many contexts, representing the notion of a major change in a certain thought-pattern — a radical change in personal beliefs, complex systems or organizations, replacing the former way of thinking or organizing with a radically different way of thinking or organizing.

Not so many years ago (2005 to be specific) there was no Academy (BOYS) or ECNL (GIRLS) programs siphoning off the best 36-40 players in each age group (15-16-17-18) on the east side of the state.

VARDAR & the Michigan Hawks were and are the best girls clubs and everyone else was competing for third and fourth place. Even with the ECNL siphoning off the A teams of these two clubs, their B teams were winning State Cups.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND - West Michigan Girls teams (from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo areas) records in State Cup quarterfinals and above.

2005	2006	2007	2008
GVP West U13 lost in semifinals GVP U16 lost in semifinals GVP U17 lost in quarterfinals GVP U18 lost in finals	GVSC Magic U13 lost in quarterfinals Kingdom Reserve U13 lost in quarterfinals West Michigan Fire U14 lost in quarterfinals TKO U16 lost in quarterfinals GVSC U17 lost in semifinals TC North Star U18 lost in semifinals	West Michigan Fire U13 lost in quarterfinals GVSC Magic U14 lost in quarterfinals TKO U15 lost in quarterfinals West Michigan Fire U17 lost in semifinals GVSC U18 lost in semifinals	Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in semifinals TKO U14 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U15 lost in quarterfinals Kingdom Reserves U15 lost in quarterfinals TKO U16 lost in semifinals West Michigan Fire U17 lost in quarterfinals West Michigan Fire U18 lost in finals TC North Star U18 lost in quarterfinals Kingdom Reserves U18 lost in quarterfinals
From 2005 through 2007, internal issues in the leadership at GVP led to a loss of vision culminating in GRASA absorbing GVP in 2007. GRASA absorbs Grand Valley Premier (GVP) and names new organization Grand Rapids Crew Juniors in 2008. In 2008, GRASA had 22 teams and GVP had 16 teams. The ECNL started in 2008. Vardar and Michigan Hawks form 15, 16, 17 and 18 teams effectively removing their A teams (36 players per age group) in those age groups from State Cup competition. During the winter of 2012, Grand Rapids Crew announced absorption of fellow GVSA club, Kentwood Falcons. In 2012, Grand Rapids Crew has 75 teams. Kentwood Falcons has 15 teams.
2009	2010	2011	2012
Grand Rapids Crew U13 lost in finals. Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in quarterfinals. Grand Rapids crew U16 lost in quarterfinals TKO Premier U17 lost in semifinals	Grand Rapids Crew U13 lost in semifinals Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in finals Kingdom Premier U15 lost in semifinals Grand Rapids Crew U16 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U17 lost in semifinals Grand Rapids Crew U18 lost in quarterfinals TKO Premier U18 lost in semifinals	Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U15 lost in semifinals Grand Rapids Crew U17 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U18 lost in semifinals	Alliance FC U13 lost in quarterfinals Vardar West U14 wins in finals ( technically a westside team but players from Detroit area) TKO Premier U14 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U15 lost in semifinals Rangers SC U15 lost in quarterfinals Michigan Rovers U15 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U16 lost in finals Grand Rapids Crew U17 lost in quarterfinals Grand Rapids Crew U18 lost in semifinals

So...what can be made of these results?

Only four teams in 8 years make it to the finals.

One State Cup in 8 years and that one State Cup is a team of players from the East side of the State playing underneath a west side name.

There have been glimmers when it appears as if someone is going to breakthrough and then it fades.

GVP, of course, was the Premier Club prior to 2005. For a variety of reasons it was absorbed by GRASA and the new club was named the Grand Rapids Crew.

West Michigan Fire appeared and started getting teams into State cup but collapses under what could charitably be described as mismanagement.

TKO Premier puts a team or two in every year but those teams tend to fade away as they age through.

From the very beginning, the newly formed Grand Rapids Crew has been the only club from the west side of the state to consistently put teams into State Cup and get consistent results.

The fact that they haven't won any State Cups is, in my mind meaningless.

Soccer is a brutal sport and sometimes that ball just will not go in the net even though it should have.