Our season is over. I just spent over 6k for my u13 this year. This included trips that our entire family went on, helping another kid that did not have the financial ability. Personal trainers that shoved their service don't my throat with email and text blast. Incidentals like cleats, balls, doctor co pays for X-rays etc, and I'm sure I missed a few! So for the next five years I can assume this figure will grow and my total spend can put a few kids through state college. Every parent needs to understand the balance and payoff and draw the line! There are positives to youth sports for kids but the financial must be considered! Don't go crazy!
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostOur season is over. I just spent over 6k for my u13 this year. This included trips that our entire family went on, helping another kid that did not have the financial ability. Personal trainers that shoved their service don't my throat with email and text blast. Incidentals like cleats, balls, doctor co pays for X-rays etc, and I'm sure I missed a few! So for the next five years I can assume this figure will grow and my total spend can put a few kids through state college. Every parent needs to understand the balance and payoff and draw the line! There are positives to youth sports for kids but the financial must be considered! Don't go crazy!
However there are plenty of other reasons to play soccer, but any type of financial return is not one of them. It does seem crazy how much it cost to play a sport that only requires cleats and ball.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostThis is why I laugh when people invest money in soccer thinking it will lead to a college scholarship. The fact is that you will be luck to even recoup 25% of what you spent, much less get a return on investment.
However there are plenty of other reasons to play soccer, but any type of financial return is not one of them. It does seem crazy how much it cost to play a sport that only requires cleats and ball.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostOur season is over. I just spent over 6k for my u13 this year. This included trips that our entire family went on, helping another kid that did not have the financial ability. Personal trainers that shoved their service don't my throat with email and text blast. Incidentals like cleats, balls, doctor co pays for X-rays etc, and I'm sure I missed a few! So for the next five years I can assume this figure will grow and my total spend can put a few kids through state college. Every parent needs to understand the balance and payoff and draw the line! There are positives to youth sports for kids but the financial must be considered! Don't go crazy!
I would not have changed a thing.
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Whatever happened to the good old days where you paid $50 to play a sport for a season? They didn't have "competitive" back then so there was no negative to recreation. It appears to be every sport, not just soccer. I wonder if it makes a big difference in development or not. Are the baseball players of today any better than those of 15 years ago that did not have AAU?
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostThis is why I laugh when people invest money in soccer thinking it will lead to a college scholarship. The fact is that you will be luck to even recoup 25% of what you spent, much less get a return on investment.
However there are plenty of other reasons to play soccer, but any type of financial return is not one of them. It does seem crazy how much it cost to play a sport that only requires cleats and ball.
Football fall and spring season $800.00 total soccer $4000 total.
Football 20 games $40 per game
Soccer 50 games $80 per game
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostOur season is over. I just spent over 6k for my u13 this year. This included trips that our entire family went on, helping another kid that did not have the financial ability. Personal trainers that shoved their service don't my throat with email and text blast. Incidentals like cleats, balls, doctor co pays for X-rays etc, and I'm sure I missed a few! So for the next five years I can assume this figure will grow and my total spend can put a few kids through state college. Every parent needs to understand the balance and payoff and draw the line! There are positives to youth sports for kids but the financial must be considered! Don't go crazy!
Parents possibly spend more than that on individual hobbies such as golf, hunting, fishing, sailing, gambling, drinking, season tickets to events, etc.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostSo how much are all these memories worth to you? My son is U18 and the memories we have with road trips, big wins, tough losses, friendships, responsibility and so forth over the years are PRICE LESS.
I would not have changed a thing.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostOur season is over. I just spent over 6k for my u13 this year. This included trips that our entire family went on, helping another kid that did not have the financial ability. Personal trainers that shoved their service don't my throat with email and text blast. Incidentals like cleats, balls, doctor co pays for X-rays etc, and I'm sure I missed a few! So for the next five years I can assume this figure will grow and my total spend can put a few kids through state college. Every parent needs to understand the balance and payoff and draw the line! There are positives to youth sports for kids but the financial must be considered! Don't go crazy!
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Unregistered
Originally posted by Unregistered View PostWhatever happened to the good old days where you paid $50 to play a sport for a season? They didn't have "competitive" back then so there was no negative to recreation. It appears to be every sport, not just soccer. I wonder if it makes a big difference in development or not. Are the baseball players of today any better than those of 15 years ago that did not have AAU?
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Originally posted by Unregistered View Postwhatever happened to the good old days when gasoline was .30 / gallon and a new car was $4000?
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostApples and oranges. You are talking about inflation and he is talking about the evolution of sports going from subsided and volunteers to a money maker.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostI'm also talking about supply and demand. But since you mentioned it: Youth soccer is a business. Inflation affects everything.
What ever happened to fundraising? I realiize that individuals and clubs have monetized the sport and I am not complaining....you get what you pay for...but clubs seem to just expect parents to continue to write checks for their own goals and needs and are not looking for alternative revenue streams very often (or are they?). They just want the cash.
Parents can refuse and find an alternative option for their kids but that option is usually significantly lower in quality and opportunities ( leagues, competition, fun, facilities).
Damned if you do and damned if you don't is what I am starting to realize about this pay for play model.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View Post6K is a bargain. We spent 20K last year with regionals, state cup, team fees, and several tournaments for one kid. Will hit 20k easy this year again the way the team is playing.
What ever happened to fundraising? I realiize that individuals and clubs have monetized the sport and I am not complaining....you get what you pay for...but clubs seem to just expect parents to continue to write checks for their own goals and needs and are not looking for alternative revenue streams very often (or are they?). They just want the cash.
Parents can refuse and find an alternative option for their kids but that option is usually significantly lower in quality and opportunities ( leagues, competition, fun, facilities).
Damned if you do and damned if you don't is what I am starting to realize about this pay for play model.
Nice facilities though.
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