Is the cost of club soccer worth it

[Guest]

Dude you messaged onto an online message board about how to possibly spend your $$$$

[Guest]

“Dude” your wife sleeps with your kids soccer coach. Crawl back into your cave.

Dude you messaged onto an online message board about how to possibly spend your $$$$

[Guest]

Worth every penny to me. At one time I had 3 kids playing at the same time. It was alot. But we got to spend a lot of family time enjoying a game we all enjoy. We made good friends and had good experiences. All 3 of my kids went off to have great HS careers. Two won state a championship, the third played for it. All were some kind of All'League - the other was All State. I know it enriched their HS experience.

Some people spend their money and time on dirt bikes, or hunting; we spent ours playing soccer.

I do know some parents that though this was some kind of ticket to college - that's crazy. There really isn't any money in soccer.

It doesn't have to be soccer. It can be music or BMX bikes and it can be sports. Something where a kid learns about working hard; the highs and lows, overcoming adversity. Just so happens it was soccer for us. YMMV

My three kids were all league ,all state and state champs. Never spent a dime on elective pay to play club travel soccer.

Not spending any money for club elective travel enriched our family' vacation destinations, smartest choice ever.

[Guest]

I think clubs need to manage expectations on what you are going to get in return. College showcase, what is that and how many kids actually play college soccer? How many get a scholarship? What does the new landscape look like?

[Guest]

To answer the initial question posted.. **** no! Put the $ into a 529 and it will essentially grow and be the same as a scholarship. Very few of which are full rides anyway at the club level.

[Guest]

We struggle with this. On one hand it is something my kid really enjoys. We do travel within the PacNW a few times and there is at least one tournament or showcase beyond that. We do it because she really enjoys it.

Yes she wants to play in college, and while she works hard I don't know that it will end up with her able to play anywhere that makes sense. But it motivates her for now. Her grades are excellent. She has a great many friends across several clubs as a result of being with two clubs and players moving around. High School has added to the robust experience that soccer has offered her.

So yes, totally a YMMV thing. Can't look at it as an investment with money (scholarship) at the end of the journey. But it has been enjoyable.

My gripe is that in order to be on a team with better players we have to also be on a team that travels all over the place. I have a kid that played club that is quite a bit older and it was not this extreme about 10-12 years ago it seems.

[Guest]

My three kids were all league ,all state and state champs. Never spent a dime on elective pay to play club travel soccer.

Not spending any money for club elective travel enriched our family' vacation destinations, smartest choice ever.

What team, what year.

[Guest]

The problem is Rec has become so watered down, that if your child has any skill and want to be challenged in any way, you almost have to go club now. Each club team should be team A and B at whatever age group. But instead you have clubs that are now no cut, with team C, D, E and F with players that would almost be better served at the rec level.

[Guest]

The problem is Rec has become so watered down, that if your child has any skill and want to be challenged in any way, you almost have to go club now. Each club team should be team A and B at whatever age group. But instead you have clubs that are now no cut, with team C, D, E and F with players that would almost be better served at the rec level.

This is a really good point. Its the C, D and E teams that should't cost so much

[Guest]

From U12 to U18 parents are going to spend close to 20K in club fees. Is it worth it? Is there a large enough return? Please explain your answers. If it's about team building can't they get that somewhere else for a fraction of the cost and play rec soccer?

Sounds like you should try it for a full year and then report back to everyone about whether it's worth it or not...

[Guest]

This is a really good point. Its the C, D and E teams that should't cost so much

Charging $50 for a $1.99 cheeseburger under the heat lamp at the corner 7-11, pretty much sums up your well taken point.

[Guest]

Charging $50 for a $1.99 cheeseburger under the heat lamp at the corner 7-11, pretty much sums up your well taken point.

More like paying full retail for a counterfeit Gucci bag.

[Guest]

This is a really good point. Its the C, D and E teams that should't cost so much

Most clubs are small enough that they don't have a D or E team at any age group.

Of course, if you want to be honest about it, a lot of clubs ONLY have D and E teams, but no A, B, or C teams.

[Guest]

From U12 to U18 parents are going to spend close to 20K in club fees. Is it worth it? Is there a large enough return? Please explain your answers. If it's about team building can't they get that somewhere else for a fraction of the cost and play rec soccer?

The reality is they are paying 20K a year for the privilege of playing glorified recreational soccer. Keep Oregon Weird.

[Guest]

Most clubs are small enough that they don't have a D or E team at any age group.

Of course, if you want to be honest about it, a lot of clubs ONLY have D and E teams, but no A, B, or C teams.

A better way to describe it perhaps, we are a state full of B teams masquerading as A teams.