Different costs of RI premier clubs?

[Unregistered]

If you don't mind me asking - what were the actual team fees (cost to join team without travel $)?

The typical base cost of a club will be between 1200 and 2000 but as you can tell the most important thing you need to know is how many away tournaments you will be attending. Food and lodging while away really adds up. My personal experience had our total cost around 3500 with a base cost of 1400. Our club uses fund raisers to help defer the cost of away tournaments.

[Unregistered]

Just for fun, I did the math on what it costs to put a premier club team on the field in New England. Here's what I came up with based on costs published on websites, etc.:

Fall season league fee (MASC, MAPLE) = $725 or $890 per team
Referees for Fall season; 9 games x $100 per game divided by 2 teams (estimate ) = $450

Winter workouts indoors: 20 weeks x $150 per week = $3,000

Tournaments; 3 per year at $750 per = $2,250

Indoor league 1 session = $900

Spring league fee (MASC, MAPLE) = $750 or $900 per team
Referees for Spring season; 7 games x $100 per game divided by 2 teams (est.) = $350

Uniforms = $100 per player (est.)

What else?
Coaching stipend?
Field rentals (assuming team must rent a field for games)?

Am I missing anything?

Total for actual expenses (excluding uniforms as some clubs charge separately) = $7,850 per team.

$7,850 divided by 15 players (assuming no freebies) = $523 per player.

[Unregistered]

Can you recommend 1 or 2 of such clubs?

I recommend you go to the MAPLE website's club selector page and use the club location tool:

http://games.maplesoccer.com/locator.cfm

That will give you a starting point based on how far you are willing to travel (on a regular basis). Then I would research the club, starting with MAPLE site and then follow the links to the the club website. You will get a feel for the clubs objectives (and fees it they are not afraid to post them) and if they are compatible with yours for your child. If the club doesn't have a website, feel free to e-mail (using the e-mail posted on the team site) the coach with your questions.

The best resource however, is to speak with other parents that have already had the club experience.

[Unregistered]

Just for fun, I did the math on what it costs to put a premier club team on the field in New England. Here's what I came up with based on costs published on websites, etc.:

Fall season league fee (MASC, MAPLE) = $725 or $890 per team
Referees for Fall season; 9 games x $100 per game divided by 2 teams (estimate ) = $450

Winter workouts indoors: 20 weeks x $150 per week = $3,000

Tournaments; 3 per year at $750 per = $2,250

Indoor league 1 session = $900

Spring league fee (MASC, MAPLE) = $750 or $900 per team
Referees for Spring season; 7 games x $100 per game divided by 2 teams (est.) = $350

Uniforms = $100 per player (est.)

What else?
Coaching stipend?
Field rentals (assuming team must rent a field for games)?

Am I missing anything?

Total for actual expenses (excluding uniforms as some clubs charge separately) = $7,850 per team.

$7,850 divided by 15 players (assuming no freebies) = $523 per player.

Don't underestimate the coaching stipend, it's frequently the most expensive item on your list, and usually the most important. It bumps your cost up by about $200/player. Remember that there are lot of shady, unlicensed coaches that are happy to take your money. Fortunately, MAPLE and MASC have recently implemented minimum criteria for coaches. Unfortunately some coaches (including a local NEFC one) have had some issues when asked to produce their certifications and are widely known to jump clubs to stay one step ahead of the law.

[Unregistered]

I recommend you go to the MAPLE website's club selector page and use the club location tool:

http://games.maplesoccer.com/locator.cfm

That will give you a starting point based on how far you are willing to travel (on a regular basis). Then I would research the club, starting with MAPLE site and then follow the links to the the club website. You will get a feel for the clubs objectives (and fees it they are not afraid to post them) and if they are compatible with yours for your child. If the club doesn't have a website, feel free to e-mail (using the e-mail posted on the team site) the coach with your questions.

The best resource however, is to speak with other parents that have already had the club experience.

Excellent advice. Thanks. Ya think I can find one that charges $523 per kid? :)

[Unregistered]

Don't underestimate the coaching stipend, it's frequently the most expensive item on your list, and usually the most important. It bumps your cost up by about $200/player. Remember that there are lot of shady, unlicensed coaches that are happy to take your money. Fortunately, MAPLE and MASC have recently implemented minimum criteria for coaches. Unfortunately some coaches (including a local NEFC one) have had some issues when asked to produce their certifications and are widely known to jump clubs to stay one step ahead of the law.

So, doing the math, a coach is making $3,000 per year? Is that typical - give or take - for premier club coaches. Doesn't seem too crazy for a year's worth of work.

But that still would bump up costs to only $723 per player. Where's the rest of it going?

[Unregistered]

So, doing the math, a coach is making $3,000 per year? Is that typical - give or take - for premier club coaches. Doesn't seem too crazy for a year's worth of work.

But that still would bump up costs to only $723 per player. Where's the rest of it going?

Yeah, where's it all going? Excellent question.

[Unregistered]

Excellent advice. Thanks. Ya think I can find one that charges $523 per kid? :)

Yes, they are called premier clubs that are run by towns. They have paid coaches and play and practice year-round. Only downside is their athletic talent pool isn't as large or good as one can expect from $2,000 year clubs (i.e, the players are the difference).

My town's club is coached by a premier coach that coaches u-16 and u-17 at a local premier club, and the coaching quality is better than received when we paid almost $2,000 for a premier level club. Currently paying $500 in fees, not counting any tournaments we do.

[Unregistered]

So, doing the math, a coach is making $3,000 per year? Is that typical - give or take - for premier club coaches. Doesn't seem too crazy for a year's worth of work.

But that still would bump up costs to only $723 per player. Where's the rest of it going?

Exactly, that's why you need to shop around (and not pay tryout fees!)

[Unregistered]

Yes, they are called premier clubs that are run by towns. They have paid coaches and play and practice year-round. Only downside is their athletic talent pool isn't as large or good as one can expect from $2,000 year clubs (i.e, the players are the difference).

My town's club is coached by a premier coach that coaches u-16 and u-17 at a local premier club, and the coaching quality is better than received when we paid almost $2,000 for a premier level club. Currently paying $500 in fees, not counting any tournaments we do.

I wish I lived in your town.

I do know that South County has a great program and their teams are premier club quality - better even in certain genders/age groups.

I live in northern RI and the twon programs up here are dwindling. Teams are not good and they lose all the best players to premier clubs.

I've often thought that if 2-3 of these towns merged their competitive operations, hired some good coaches, they'd grab back a lot of the premier kids. The talent pool would be larger, the teams would be better, same level of coaching, lots of choices of free fields and otehr resources, the price would be 1/2.

Gee, what are they waiting for?

[Unregistered]

I wish I lived in your town.

I do know that South County has a great program and their teams are premier club quality - better even in certain genders/age groups.

I live in northern RI and the twon programs up here are dwindling. Teams are not good and they lose all the best players to premier clubs.

I've often thought that if 2-3 of these towns merged their competitive operations, hired some good coaches, they'd grab back a lot of the premier kids. The talent pool would be larger, the teams would be better, same level of coaching, lots of choices of free fields and otehr resources, the price would be 1/2.

Gee, what are they waiting for?

That's the best idea I've read in this thread. Where do you live? Let's do it.

[Unregistered]

The supposed secrecy of the answer is consistent with the fees of the club. Why aren't they posted on the club website (if you want to call it that) with the dearth of other club information?

Now, I've got to call you on the "very articulate and intelligent answer" you received. I don't believe the coach in question is capable of either. It's too bad you can't share the answer with us, but if it's worth $6K to you, that's your prerogative. I personally think it was a major boner and I don't think you would be able to convince me otherwise. Anything short of owing up to the mistake wouldn't be "very articulate and intelligent" in my book.

don't worry, we'll only be in d3 one session so you'll only have to play us once (wouldn't want the parents on your team to see a real team too often, they might leave). We'll be right back in D1 right about the same time you'll be playing in MASC.

[Unregistered]

don't worry, we'll only be in d3 one session so you'll only have to play us once (wouldn't want the parents on your team to see a real team too often, they might leave). We'll be right back in D1 right about the same time you'll be playing in MASC.

Oh, so now you plan on staying in D3 for "only one season" (like you have any say in the matter!) So was that part of the "very articulate and intelligent answer" provided by the coach, you don't want the D3 parents to see a "real" team too often? Maybe it's more like he doesn't want to see the Scorpions too often! D1 shudders at the thought of your return!

No offense, but for that kind of cash you can have your kid play for a real soccer coach, there's plenty out there.

[Unregistered]

Exactly, that's why you need to shop around (and not pay tryout fees!)

I'm sure you and your posting friend are not as dumb as you sound. The fields are not free and the coaches are not free. Charging a small fee for try-outs is totally reasonable. This is not a town league where everyone is donating their time and fields are "town fields". These clubs need to make money to remain solid. I personally don't want my kids club operating on a shoe string budget. This will lead to financial problems down the road. And once you have made a commitment to a particular club, chances are you are going to want to stick around. You don't want your club just disappearing.

Most of these clubs have some financial aid system in place. If you can't afford the fees then just be upfront with the club and see what can be done to help you. If you just don't want to pay then your kid can play in your town league. Town players have just as much fun as the club players. If you have a really good town system, that might be best for you.

We chose to go the club route because the coaching in our town was suspect - especially in my kids age bracket. All great guys, just not great coaches. The level of talent just wasn't there in our town either. My kid was driven to be a good soccer player, play at a high level and play High School Soccer as well. I want our club coach to get paid enough so he doesn't go away. I want the club to be financially healthy so it doesn't go away. Look, the club fees will not be the biggest expence. Throw in a couple of away tournaments, gas to and from practice, three times a week. What is your time worth? Going the club route is a big commitment in time and money.

[Unregistered]

I wish I lived in your town.

I do know that South County has a great program and their teams are premier club quality - better even in certain genders/age groups.

I live in northern RI and the town programs up here are dwindling. Teams are not good and they lose all the best players to premier clubs.

I've often thought that if 2-3 of these towns merged their competitive operations, hired some good coaches, they'd grab back a lot of the premier kids. The talent pool would be larger, the teams would be better, same level of coaching, lots of choices of free fields and other resources, the price would be 1/2.

Gee, what are they waiting for?

South County has one of the best town soccer programs in the state. But they are not premier club quality. The few times I saw them play against premier teams they were not competitive. I have only seen U12 and up. I wouldn't doubt that at younger ages they would be fine.

Town merging is a great idea. I am also from Northern RI and feel your pain. I doubt you would take back many kids currently playing premier but it would stem the tide for future players leaving.

How is the Ocean State club organaized? They seem to put some good town teams together with kids from all over the state.