Where to take this team?

I coach a 3rd grade recreational girls’ team and just finished the spring season 7-1 after a 1-5-2 fall. But our league had us in a weaker conference this spring because of our fall record, so the team, although improved, still has a lot to learn. A general snapshot:
• Skill Levels: Three players who could obviously develop to a very advanced level. Five more could do well for mid-level "tryout teams". Four should stick with recreational play.
• Family Support: The team was a social activity before I took over. Several parents resist the idea of more than one practice /week or travelling out of the general vicinity for games. Three or four families would go the distance if their kids really wanted to move up to the next level, a couple with some arm-twisting. The rest would drop out if we played anything but recreational soccer. But of course, they all would like the team to stay together.
• Attitude and Behavior: The girls can get very unruly, and the more motivated players don’t like it when they do. I’m usually good at keeping them focused, and we have fun as a rule, but my previous coaching started in 5th grade and I wonder when they will lose the "crazies". I’ve even had some real anti-social behavior – a couple of actual fights, and some very aggressive grabbing and pinching, etc., both of which earn them a seat on the sideline.
So my questions are 1) with the above in mind, should I be thinking about moving this team up to the next level of competition after another season if they do well? 2) Why keep the team together if some of the parents want to hold them back? I admit I would hate to see the team break up, but some of these kids really can develop into very good players. And 3) what are reasonable expectations in 4th grade for behavior in practice? If push comes to shove with the more difficult ones, what is acceptable discipline?

I know these are broad questions, but if anyone has the time to read through it and has some thoughts they would be most appreciated.

 

That is indeed the dilemma. The group with potential still has to prove themselves against tougher competition, so I think I'll see how they do next season with an eye towards moving them up a level in 5th grade. If they know that's the goal they should be excited about it. They have to pass a skills test anyway, so there's some preparation involved. It might give the others motivation to train more seriously too.

 

Here's a plan I'm considering: Give the better players 4th grade to prove themselves against better competition as the league will move us up to a conference with better teams in the fall. Let everyone know that if we do well enough in 4th grade we'll start another team at the next level in 5th grade, so players can train for and pass the league skills test for that level (called "Classics"). Some of the other players might work harder if they see that opportunity as well. If all goes well, form a Classics team in 5th grade, but keep the rec team active. Both practice together once per week, and the Classics players practice a second time by themselves. Classics team plays winter and summer indoor seasons, as well as tournaments, with Rec players invited to join in for seasons outside our home league. Classics and Rec teams scrimmage regularly. Thus, we establish an appropriate level of play for everyone and keep them together in a soccer "club". We could even associate with a boys club that does essentially the same thing. Rosters would be kept less than full to allow some players to move back and forth between seasons if appropriate. Thoughts?