the future of CT soccer

[Unregistered]

The first one on your list costs almost $200 for a one week full day camp and $150 for 3.5 hours. What low income families can afford that, let alone multiple weeks? And what working parents have time to work there to get a reduced rate? Other than a few low cost park and rec programs (in some towns, other towns are very costly) that list is out of reach for most working class parents on anything but an occasional basis.

https://usasportgroup.com/sports/?ag...52&site=sports

Are you trying to prove my point for the lazy ass parents? Go past the first one and look at the others. There is one from every budget; free to the more expensive $200 plus per week.

Camp Courant is free. This was just a 2 minute internet search to find free stuff. Free programs are promoted in the schools all the time or for a very reduced rate.

And you don't have to work there for a reduced rate, just promote the camp or get others to sign up. Again, it is just laziness if a kid doesn't get to play sports on the part of the parents.

[Unregistered]

https://fox61.com/2019/08/15/new-eng...c-in-hartford/

https://www.hartfordschools.org/regi...-for-all-ages/

Or a whopping $50 per season: http://www.activecity.org/hsc

[Unregistered]

There are 9 kids on my roster getting financial aid and last year 2 were totally free. I get a salary and I could make more in a bonus if I didn’t give the financial aid out that I do.

I played club for free on financial aid many years ago. I’m paying it forward.

Pay to play might be a problem, however, this is America and if you don’t want pay to play then you’re cutting business and jobs. So pick your poison.

Personally I’d rather see clubs pay their coaches better, award more aid, and give back to the communities. The owners of the clubs in this state can afford all 3 of those things and still make a great living.

While we are at it, I think it’s a total scam that clubs across the country, some very big clubs with a huge workforce of coaches, make great profit lines and list their coaches as all contractors to avoid benefits and living wages. But I digress.

[Unregistered]

There are 9 kids on my roster getting financial aid and last year 2 were totally free. I get a salary and I could make more in a bonus if I didn’t give the financial aid out that I do.

I played club for free on financial aid many years ago. I’m paying it forward.

Pay to play might be a problem, however, this is America and if you don’t want pay to play then you’re cutting business and jobs. So pick your poison.

Personally I’d rather see clubs pay their coaches better, award more aid, and give back to the communities. The owners of the clubs in this state can afford all 3 of those things and still make a great living.

While we are at it, I think it’s a total scam that clubs across the country, some very big clubs with a huge workforce of coaches, make great profit lines and list their coaches as all contractors to avoid benefits and living wages. But I digress.

A few clubs like OW (very few) make some efforts to get sponsors, fund raise and get families to volunteer a little time in an effort to keep fees a little lower. I see more of those efforts in other sports, rarely in club soccer. It can help make a club a community, not just a business transaction. Some big clubs run big tournaments that help build a good sized scholarship fund. I know our club gives some scholarships out, paid for by full paying parents. I fully support that as long as it's because of need (I know a friend who lost his job had to fill out paperwork proving need) but giving a kid a ride just because the club wants them? Not ok.

[Unregistered]

There are 9 kids on my roster getting financial aid and last year 2 were totally free. I get a salary and I could make more in a bonus if I didn’t give the financial aid out that I do.

I played club for free on financial aid many years ago. I’m paying it forward.

Pay to play might be a problem, however, this is America and if you don’t want pay to play then you’re cutting business and jobs. So pick your poison.

Personally I’d rather see clubs pay their coaches better, award more aid, and give back to the communities. The owners of the clubs in this state can afford all 3 of those things and still make a great living.

While we are at it, I think it’s a total scam that clubs across the country, some very big clubs with a huge workforce of coaches, make great profit lines and list their coaches as all contractors to avoid benefits and living wages. But I digress.

I get that it’s popular to criticize clubs for making a profit, but I want to throw a couple things out there that most people don’t seem to consider. Let’s say $3000 tuition. 175 hours a year in practices and games. That’s $17.14 an hour. Really isn’t expensive when you think about it. Get a babysitter and see what it costs you.

As for paying coaches more, most coaches have full time jobs already. And in order to justify a full time wage, coaches would need to coach 3-4 teams and the kids would get slighted. No way to do a good job with all of the teams and impossible to make everything. I’d rather have a coach that is responsible for my kid’s team alone that is part time.

[Unregistered]

I get that it’s popular to criticize clubs for making a profit, but I want to throw a couple things out there that most people don’t seem to consider. Let’s say $3000 tuition. 175 hours a year in practices and games. That’s $17.14 an hour. Really isn’t expensive when you think about it. Get a babysitter and see what it costs you.

As for paying coaches more, most coaches have full time jobs already. And in order to justify a full time wage, coaches would need to coach 3-4 teams and the kids would get slighted. No way to do a good job with all of the teams and impossible to make everything. I’d rather have a coach that is responsible for my kid’s team alone that is part time.

Probably more like $15.50 per hour when you factor in in uniforms, sweatsuits, backpack, etc

[Unregistered]

Probably more like $15.50 per hour when you factor in in uniforms, sweatsuits, backpack, etc

Right. Coaches certainly aren’t getting it all. I was looking at it from the parent perspective. $17 an hour to teach your kid something and have them exercise.

[Unregistered]

Right. Coaches certainly aren’t getting it all. I was looking at it from the parent perspective. $17 an hour to teach your kid something and have them exercise.

Still doesn't make that $3000 a year price tag (plus travel) affordable for many families. Also doesn't mean you're getting quality training either.

[Unregistered]

Still doesn't make that $3000 a year price tag (plus travel) affordable for many families. Also doesn't mean you're getting quality training either.

It’s like all things in life- you have to make choices based on budget and importance
ROI is a purely personal thing- the memories and experience has a value but so does actual $$$ and getting into a better school because of soccer

If you aren’t getting good training that’s on you as the consumer- you are shortchanging your kid

[Unregistered]

But again, no kid is left out if their parents put some effort into it. Ok, they won't all play for OW but there are programs that are free or really cheap like the Hartford $50 per season.

And if the kid is good, there are a lot more opportunities. People will bend over backwards to get them on the team.

To me it is people afraid to put the blame where it lies, not at the clubs. They are there to make a profit and this is America, there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is with the lazy parents that are so uninvolved they let their kids run the streets in Hartford or sit and watch youtube all day instead of getting them in a program.

[Unregistered]

But again, no kid is left out if their parents put some effort into it. Ok, they won't all play for OW but there are programs that are free or really cheap like the Hartford $50 per season.

And if the kid is good, there are a lot more opportunities. People will bend over backwards to get them on the team.

To me it is people afraid to put the blame where it lies, not at the clubs. They are there to make a profit and this is America, there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is with the lazy parents that are so uninvolved they let their kids run the streets in Hartford or sit and watch youtube all day instead of getting them in a program.

I’m not a lazy parent I am on TS all day and night doing research for the best of the cheapest club I can get my kid in

[Unregistered]

No none of it is new and it's only gotten worse. Even sports like basketball have gotten out of control, locking out a lot of kids who may not be college material but simply want to play good competition.

Chances are your already subsidize a few scholarships for your kids' club teams. Clubs don't tell you that (unless they do outright fundraising for it) but they usually have a few $ set aside. I don't mind that at all when it's for players in genuine financial need. However, many just use it to attract players they want, often even when the family can afford it. When it comes to school funding for sports it won't be any different than anything else - no way in hell tax payers will pay a dime for something outside their district. I'm a huge proponent of school sports. They give kids a much needed outlet to stay active and engaged.

By God, that's socialism. Can't have any of that. The President says we are not a socialist nation. Time to kick those kids on the soccer dole to the curb.

[Unregistered]

Sorry but it is not the money that makes the difference it is the family values. Single parents and low income parents don't give a **** what their kids do and are too lazy to take them to sports. Just let them play xbox or look at youtube and leave me alone.

For all the haters yes there are exceptions but we are talking about the trends of a group as a whole.

So what is your proof that the majority of kids with single parents or low income parents are left to themselves and their parents don't give a shyte?

Where are your facts that prove this is the trend of the group as a whole"

Without facts, you are talking out your arse.

[Unregistered]

Some are doing the best they can but most don't give a crap. Have you been to PTO meetings at schools in Hartford or other low-income areas? Have you ever volunteered at these schools? Some care but most kids have parents that don't give a rats ass.

The travesty is not the programs for kids, they ARE available. The travesty is the parents.

PTO support isn't all that healthy in the towns with money either. Where is your proof that "most" parents don't give a rats ass?

[Unregistered]

So what is your proof that the majority of kids with single parents or low income parents are left to themselves and their parents don't give a shyte?

Where are your facts that prove this is the trend of the group as a whole"

Without facts, you are talking out your arse.

Working families are working; even more so single parents trying to juggle multiple things at once. My wife is heavily involved in our PTSA in a typical suburb with lots of stay at home moms, and I'm involved with other local groups. It's always the same small group of parents volunteering over and over. The rest would rather write a check to absolve their guilt.