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Club sports: Options, expenses both expand for girls
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I feel so lucky to live in this country where girls have so many great opportunities. There are a lot of places in the world where girls are considered second class citizens. Sure, it's expensive, but at least there are options.
I'm glad for the girls but please please watch out for the boys that they dont become America's 2nd class citizens.
A mom
It does cost money and sometimes we're not able to travel with them to watch their tournaments. The actual coaching fees and season registration fees are reasonable. As noted in the article, the coaching fees are around $50 per month. We had our daughters take piano lessons which cost the same per month. They got 1/2 hour lesson once per week with piano. They got 3 - 90 min practices and 2 games per week with soccer. I would say soccer is the better value. Our teams have always organized fundraisers to help those who couldn't afford the costs. Generally, only the premier teams travel out of state so most teams do not have that expense.
all this will end when a public high school openly discriminates and requires club participation to play at the high school level. while i am not a proponent of lawsuits i will welcome the day that a parent bankrupts a school district and has coaches fired for failure to provide equal opportunity and access to all student athletes and not just the club athletes.
i have witnessed many talented kids destroyed because their parents were under the misguided and pathetic delusion that they were raising the next superstar. the reality is about 1% of all athletes will become that superstar. my advice to parents is and always will be the same. let your child live their dream not yours, it is more rewarding and it is easier on the pocket book. besides if your child has the natural ability and the desire they will find a successful path. there is no amount of money and training can overcome a total lack of ability or natural talent.
The other thing this article doesn't really mention is that lots of times, club sports take away from highschool sanctioned sports. At my highschool, girls wouldn't run track because their club coach "wouldn't let [them]."
We have been on both sides of the high school sports teams and club teams in soccer. While it's true that there are different level of coaches, in order to coach at the club level, the coaches have to be certified and take training to reach different levels. They start at the beginning "E" level and can advance to an "A" level. The coaches license levels are all published. You know what you're getting. It's been my experience that, in general, it's the high school coaches abilities that are lacking. Some schools will let any interested teacher coach who may not have any training at all. There are no licenses needed to coach high school.
Cooperstown, Florida, Oklahoman, Minnesota, etc. to see another part of the country and how those people lived was worth each dollar we spent. I agree with those that say it is expensive but I wouldn't trade those times for anything. My boys were also told they could quit anytime they wanted so there was no pressure from us. Coaches is rec leagues should be held in high esteem for the time they put in but most are just dad's without real background in the sport. My boys wanted to excel so we found the best coach's we could and got them involved. To be continued:
First off, let the kid chose what he/she wants to do. Yes, you can seek out the offers and whatnot, but let him/her make the final decission.
Secondly (assuming they enter into sports) always leave the door open to leave. My dad was great at this, whenever i got down he would just say "well, do you want to continue doing this. It is only a game, and you dont have to do it."
Thirdly (and VERY IMPORTANT) dont tell your kids about the financial struggles that come with their choice. I remember my parents telling me how my soccer was not allowing our family to travel as much as before, and i felt like i had done them wrong by playing. Tell them the consequences of playing, but never make it seem like the sport is taking anything away from the family. Be honest with them.
5th: If your kid wants to play in college, help them seek out the scholarships, but make sure they do the bulk of the work. Have your child write the letters, make a film, get a profile, etc. Help them along the way, but dont just do it for them. Teach them that you have to "earn" it, it wont just come.
6th, Always be positive with them. Constructive criticism is good, but also remember you ARE NOT THE COACH. let the coaches get on the players, you just support them and make suer they are happy.
7th, as cheesy as this sounds it really is nice, tell your kids you love them before and after games. Give them a hug or whatever it is you do. Make sure they know you love them.
Club and high school sports can be expensive, yes, but very rewarding. If your kid wants to do it, dont be the bad guy that says no