I noticed not even a Pandemic could take down Pay to Play...

[Soccerhelper]

BTW Luis, welcome back brother. How are you feeling? What was it like if you dont mind sharing? I know I got it Jan 22 and it was hell.

 

[dad4]

Or cut back on BS that you dont need. No TV, no this & that. If you want it, go get it is my motto.

I'm with you halfway on that. I spend a lot of money I don't need to. Plenty to cut for me.

But I have it pretty easy. Not everyone does. Plenty of people have lives that I am in no place to judge.

If someone takes a look at 35 minute weekday soccer commutes and says "no thanks", I take them at their word. Most likely, soccer is secondary and what they want is time with family and their kid to have a better job.

I can respect that.

 

[Emma]

sure that's a fair statement but then I got back to my point. Where there is a will there is a way. 3000 bucks, get yourself an extra part time job and you can save that money over a few months. No excuses, if I couldn't afford it and I believed my daughter had the potential and enthusiasm to want to be part of a top club. I would make it happen. Success in life requires sacrifice.

If I was poor, the last thing I would save 3K for is club soccer. Saving for a decent car or a home would probably be priority. We are discussing people who have to choose bt a decent car, decent neighborhood and club soccer. Wouldn't it be nice if parents with great athletes didn't have to choose between saving for a house or car and paying 3K a year for club soccer? The obvious choice is a reliable car or a house to build their equity and improve their long term finances.
Even if I had the opportunity to get an extra job bc I had grandparents helping out with the kids, I'd save that money to pay for my kid's college or make sure they don't go hungry or homeless should the economy collapse.

 

[whatithink]

Sorry, can not agree with your opinion. Yes, in theory, you might partially subsidies some players on your team due the paying your fee in full. But if you think that club makes selection for the team based who can pay and then select a player who can play is totally wrong. It's coming from a notion that reach (what is each) can't play and can't compete. IMV, it's very wrong opinion.

There's 1-3 players on the team that are the difference. They don't pay (or if its your kid, you're stupid to pay). The coach and club need them as they are the ones that are the difference between winning & losing. Coaches and clubs like winning teams/programs. Coaches & clubs like alumni players who "make it". That sells spots, that sells the club, that brings in money. 80-90% of the team is very good, but if one left, then meh ... they can be replaced relatively easily. Its the 1, 2 or 3 that can't be replaced ... and the teams with 3 are the top teams.

 

[Emma]

well it’s a matter of opinion and personal choice. I would make the sacrifice for my daughter but only if she wanted it. if she really wanted that I would
get the part time job. The same way I would do it to put her in a good private school. The house or any other material thing would be secondary for me. But seeing her happy is #1

How do you know your kid wouldn't be happy without club soccer if she never did club soccer? How do you know she wouldn't be happier if you had a car that worked and a place in a neighborhood without drug dealers?

But life ....it's not as black and white as we think...there are many choices for many reasons.

 

[Luis Andres]

How do you know your kid wouldn't be happy without club soccer if she never did club soccer? How do you know she wouldn't be happier if you had a car that worked and a place in a neighborhood without drug dealers?

But life ....it's not as black and white as we think...there are many choices for many reasons.

I would never raise her to value material things over the experience of doing what she loves. I was raised a little different. I would hope she would value & follow the ways I‘m currently teaching her to be.

 

[Emma]

I would never raise her to value material things over the experience of doing what she loves. I was raised a little different. I would hope she would value & follow the ways I‘m currently teaching her to be.

I don't think the security to eat/and live under a roof during economic instability or the a car that is reliable to transport you to work and school (or rec soccer) is valuing material things over experiences. It's prioritizing needs over wants.

Experiences are what you make of them as individuals, not anything a sport or club soccer team can give you. What happens Luis, if for some reason, your child can no longer play soccer? Do you think she will be unable to have wonderful life experiences without it?

 

[notintheface]

The current unemployment rate in California is 13.7% as of July 2020. The current unemployment rate in Los Angeles county is 18.2% as of July 2020. There are a whole lot of people who aren't going to be paying that extra $3k plus kit plus gas plus hotels.

 

[SoccerFan4Life]

Over the past few years women soccer is picking up in South American and Europe.

During the next women’s World Cup we will find out If the rest of the world is making it more competitive when playing against the USA team. This will tell us if our way is better or worse. I believe European teams are getting better and they will surpass the USA in terms of quality. We shall see if pay to play will maintain USA as the best team in the world by a good distance to the rest.

 

[Emma]

well if she no longer could play due to an injury of some sort that put her out for good then she wouldn’t have a choice. But at the end of the day it’s about what she enjoys and makes her happy. I know I’m tough in her now and she embraces it and for me it’s not about burning her out like you guys may think but to teach her that if she wants to go to the next level later it will be hard work accompanied with love for what she does. It’s about teaching her the right mindset to succeed later. Will she run with it later, we’ll see it’s up to her. But getting back to the financial burden. It’s 3000 bucks and throw another 2000 for tournaments and costs. 5000 a year. That’s doable and I’m sure that if she proves herself the financial aid will also be there. Your example is a bit extreme. She don’t need to drive a brand new car. There are plenty of cheap cars out there too. So if she drives a junker for a few years and gets to play the sport she loves at the highest level. My family would be happy. That’s how I see it.

You're changing the subject on me. I'm not talking about her future bc that's a huge unknown even if she loves the game now. We're discussing whether it's worth it for parents who don't have a reliable car or live in a safe neighborhood to use 3K towards club soccer versus using it towards a reliable car to drive the kids to school and get themselves to work (to get paid). We're not talking about a fancy car vs a reliable Toyota. I never said anything about fancy things, just reliable and safe. Would you give up a reliable car, shelter and food security for club soccer?

We're not talking about what car your daughter will drive in the future, we're talking about what car would you be driving right now to drive her to school and get yourself or your wife to work. If your car breaks down every other day bc you couldn't afford to fix it or get a more reliable care-would it even be worth it to put your kid in club soccer when you can't even reliably take her to club soccer practice or tourneys?

 

[dad4]

Part of the problem with 5k per year is that our kids aren't playing the best of the best. They are playing the best of the wealthy.

If you want to play the best of the best, we should create all-star days for the top 20 kids in each age group.

A field, a ball, and older siblings or JuCo players as referees. But no 5k per year in fees and hotels.

 

[Soccerhelper]

well if she no longer could play due to an injury of some sort that put her out for good then she wouldn’t have a choice. But at the end of the day it’s about what she enjoys and makes her happy. I know I’m tough on her now and she embraces it and for me it’s not about burning her out like you guys may think but to teach her that if she wants to go to the next level later it will be hard work accompanied with love for what she does. It’s about teaching her the right mindset to succeed later. Will she run with it later, we’ll see it’s up to her. But getting back to the financial burden. It’s 3000 bucks and throw another 2000 for tournaments and costs. 5000 a year. That’s doable and I’m sure that if she proves herself the financial aid will also be there. Your example is a bit extreme. She don’t need to drive a brand new car. There are plenty of cheap cars out there too. So if she drives a junker for a few years and gets to play the sport she loves at the highest level. My family would be happy. That’s how I would see it.

The freedom to choose is what makes this the greatest country ever If you want to keep the $400 or so for yourself ((parties, drinks, $650 car payment and all the others goodies)) and not for your kids soccer dream, then keep it. However, if you got a goat on your hands and she has to play the game she so loves, then daddy needs to step up. If goat is really good, then free is always there. If you dont want a club controlling you, then you should pay. I would like to see where the state and gov pcik up the tab for the dreamers who cant afford it. This is so in the realm of life and we need to act as if today is the last day.

 

[Soccerhelper]

Oh no, now what? Have you ever had that barrier in life Luis or anyone reading this soccer stuff? Too small? Too poor? too Dumb dumb? What would you do @Luis Andres to get pass this freaking boulder?

Oh well, no soccer? Go play video games and kick against the wall.? By the way, stop complaining. It's just soccer. Find a sport that's freeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Emma]

I personally would do it and take the risk. I’ve driven a junker before that had all sorts of problem but made it work. I can’t speak for anyone else.

You're quite the gambler. I might gamble on the junk car but probably would have a hard time with the food and shelter thing

 

[Luis Andres]

Oh no, now what? Have you ever had that barrier in life Luis or anyone reading this soccer stuff? Too small? Too poor? too Dumb dumb? What would you do @Luis Andres to get pass this freaking boulder?
View attachment 9036
Oh well, no soccer? Go play video games and kick against the wall.? By the way, stop complaining. It's just soccer. Find a sport that's freeeeeeeeeeeee

you tempting me huh... lol. You know I’m crazy enough to try to make it happen and find the way. I don’t believe in failure or giving up without trying to make it happen

 

[Soccerhelper]

you tempting me huh... lol. You know I’m crazy enough to try to make it happen and find the way. I don’t believe in failure or giving up without trying to make it happen

Plus, the joy on the goats face after playing. it's tru goat magic and if it's not there, then by all means, get a nice car and stay home and study......lol!!!!
Let's get real. i would rather drive a junker and go to jiffy lube and ride my tires until their bald to see that joy on her face. I guess I could drive around in style and smile my way around town in a nice ride and put a smile on my face only. Choice and priority for fun in life

 

[Emma]

when do you ever see the Hispanic guy that came over here with no papers and does not speak English begging? He sells flowers and oranges off the freeway exit and finds a way to make it happen and be happy

Yes, but he's rarely the one able to pay 3K for club soccer.

 

[Glitterhater]

If, as a parent, you do not have a backup plan for your kid -- learn your computer science, kids -- then you need a backup plan, immediately. Getting your kid into college on an athletic scholarship is already a crapshoot and now it's going to be 100x worse. Maybe instead of kicking the ball around four times a week, you spend one of those times working with your kid on writing some code.

My DD knows that school will always come first. Unfortunately, she had a coach that flat out said "If you have to miss practice for homework, you shouldn't be playing soccer." Let alone the player he told this to barely ever missed! It was a situation of finals, projects, etc.

 

[tjinaz]

My DD knows that school will always come first. Unfortunately, she had a coach that flat out said "If you have to miss practice for homework, you shouldn't be playing soccer." Let alone the player he told this to barely ever missed! It was a situation of finals, projects, etc.

Yea this coach should be fired. Unless you are in a Pro Academy that has teachers on site .. the priority should always be school first, then Family .. then maybe soccer.

 

[Glitterhater]

Yea this coach should be fired. Unless you are in a Pro Academy that has teachers on site .. the priority should always be school first, then Family .. then maybe soccer.

Agreed. His comments actually caused quite a negative ripple effect. You had middle school girls staying up until 11 and 12 o'clock at night on a school night because they were too afraid to miss practice, but yet they still wanted to get all of their homework done. One of the many reasons we are no longer with that club!