Yup. Academy fees...summer camp kick backs...uniform kickbacks....concession sales...travel per diems....the padding list goes on and on. But why is that necessarily a bad thing? If they aren't able to make a living this way, they'll go do other things and take other jobs. If you want professional training, someone's got to pay for it, otherwise what you are left with is AYSO and volunteer-based rec leagues. True, buyer must beware and expectations should be held in check. And true we have a problem with underprivileged kids who might be great never getting their shot at soccer because of the hefty fees. We could adopt a scholarship approach like they do in the African and Latin American countries, where only gifted players that show their talent early on might get to play, but then there would be a bunch of cries we are missing late bloomers (see other thread), and our soccer system has always been college (not pro) oriented, which is why club in part appeals to (largely middle and upper class) parents with something other than pro dreams. The club system isn't perfect with, but I think it's largely what we are stuck with unless we were to move away from a college-oriented approach (which also explains why the club system is not just limited to soccer, but is also spreading to other sports). Otherwise what do we replace it with? How do you reform the system without taking away the incentives for grown persons to want to take the licensing requirements, education, and time it takes to run clubs and coach them?
Is Club soccer the biggest SCAM in youth sports?
- Thread starter Nextbigthing
- Start date
Yup. Academy fees...summer camp kick backs...uniform kickbacks....concession sales...travel per diems....the padding list goes on and on. But why is that necessarily a bad thing? If they aren't able to make a living this way, they'll go do other things and take other jobs. If you want professional training, someone's got to pay for it, otherwise what you are left with is AYSO and volunteer-based rec leagues. True, buyer must beware and expectations should be held in check. And true we have a problem with underprivileged kids who might be great never getting their shot at soccer because of the hefty fees. We could adopt a scholarship approach like they do in the African and Latin American countries, where only gifted players that show their talent early on might get to play, but then there would be a bunch of cries we are missing late bloomers (see other thread), and our soccer system has always been college (not pro) oriented, which is why club in part appeals to (largely middle and upper class) parents with something other than pro dreams. The club system isn't perfect with, but I think it's largely what we are stuck with unless we were to move away from a college-oriented approach (which also explains why the club system is not just limited to soccer, but is also spreading to other sports). Otherwise what do we replace it with? How do you reform the system without taking away the incentives for grown persons to want to take the licensing requirements, education, and time it takes to run clubs and coach them?
Yes
SoccerFan4Life
PREMIER
It's Not a Scam!! The scam is with parents that believe that their kids are destined for scholarships and professional level play and coaches must make this happen. If you think it's a scam then why spend time talking about it on this post. It's just club soccer. We are not talking about solving world hunger here.
Kicknit22
GOLD
Most of the complaints come from those with whom it hasn't worked out as thought, planned or dare I say, promised. Or it's for those who are just getting into the club scene and are flabbergasted that it's no longer like AYSO 3mo., and what, $90. Club soccer is a business. If you don't like it, you are not held at gunpoint.
So true but also from a different perspective I just returned from Colombia. My DD was in shock at the very low income areas that all had a beautifully maintained and perfectly chalked pitch. Maybe it was grass, or did, or in some cases more rudimentary but the goals were perfect and the chalk was perfect. My daughter said to me "Mom they care about this sport". She always knew this to some extent but to see a country where it was truly woven into their culture and community was humbling.
everyone keeps talking about club soccer being a business. Last time I checked a business has to care about customer satisfaction and has to be accountable to the person that pays the invoice in order to stay in business. It is the only "business" I know of that can treat it's customers like crap and continue to charge whatever it wants and do whatever it wants and the income never stops - making thousands on the backs of the hopes and dreams of children and their parents.
Agree with
Agree with you in theory. However anyone in business also knows that in the corporate world our problem employees don't get terminated they get moved to other departments. Now think of every bad soccer coach you know and how many clubs and teams they have floated to.
Also as I have stated the change is afoot. I know people don't agree with me but the mighty are falling and years of treating people like garbage because of monopolies are now impacting the bottom line for some former greats.
Agree with you in theory. However anyone in business also knows that in the corporate world our problem employees don't get terminated they get moved to other departments. Now think of every bad soccer coach you know and how many clubs and teams they have floated to.
Also as I have stated the change is afoot. I know people don't agree with me but the mighty are falling and years of treating people like garbage because of monopolies are now impacting the bottom line for some former greats.
I think the airlines have proven this not true over the last couple weeks. And let's not forget the banks. I'd throw in many of the colleges in the US on that scrap pile too.
I'd say that "Professional Youth Sports" is the big scam.
AAU Basketball, Year Round Football, Club Volleyball, Youth Speed and Strength Gyms, Private "Lessons" for all sports.
Kids used to find out what they might be good at by messing around on the playground or in PE class. And we had school sports leagues in elementary school to let kids try out sports without having to be an "elite" player in 4th grade.
We've taken what used to be sports that kids "played" and made it into a business for coaches to make a solid living off of.
Soccer isn't the most expensive. Actually, most kids activities now cost about the same. Between $30 and $50 per hour for some sort of "professionally coached" activity - Sports, singing, art, music, etc.
It's all stupid really. What happened to adults that work a "real job" giving back their time to help kids out? Working from 4pm- 8pm while yelling at kids shouldn't be a long term career plan.
If all of these guys with English accents and Adidas jackets are such great soccer coaches, then why aren't they back in England coaching? How did the great migration of British 35-50 year olds wind up coaching 9 year old kids across the US?
AAU Basketball, Year Round Football, Club Volleyball, Youth Speed and Strength Gyms, Private "Lessons" for all sports.
Kids used to find out what they might be good at by messing around on the playground or in PE class. And we had school sports leagues in elementary school to let kids try out sports without having to be an "elite" player in 4th grade.
We've taken what used to be sports that kids "played" and made it into a business for coaches to make a solid living off of.
Soccer isn't the most expensive. Actually, most kids activities now cost about the same. Between $30 and $50 per hour for some sort of "professionally coached" activity - Sports, singing, art, music, etc.
It's all stupid really. What happened to adults that work a "real job" giving back their time to help kids out? Working from 4pm- 8pm while yelling at kids shouldn't be a long term career plan.
If all of these guys with English accents and Adidas jackets are such great soccer coaches, then why aren't they back in England coaching? How did the great migration of British 35-50 year olds wind up coaching 9 year old kids across the US?
chargerfan
GOLD
We live in a weird time where everyone is trying to outdo each other and everyone's kid has to be the BEST at everything. They must go to the top preschool, the top soccer club, make straight As at the fanciest school, get a full ride to Harvard! No wonder kids are stressed out and on anti-anxiety medicine in high school. Maybe social media is partly to blame?
Club soccer, and other sports I am sure, have taken advantage of this culture. They promise little Chloe a college scholarship and maybe national team, and the optics of having a coach with an accent make it seem extra exclusive. And imagine the Instagram pictures of her with all her medals! Won't the other parents be so jealous? Chloe is the best of all the 3rd graders!
The answer is really quite simple and is linked to the observation you make that it's not just about soccer, or even team sports.
1) colleges, particularly the top sports and academic colleges, have been engaged in an arms race over the last 20 years...whereas before kids would just go to their local state schools the ease of travel has opened up other possibility....add to that the growing import of students from overseas (where their own programs are capped due to their merit based tracking system) and you have higher competition at the top levels in sports and academia. Whereas my grades were good enough 25 years ago to get me into an Ivy League school, now days with the same scores I'd be laughed out of the interviews. The increased competition has trickled down the ladder so it's no longer enough for kids to just be mediocre and why so many kids apply to colleges these days seem to have founded even their own charities. US soccer, unlike other countries, is college driven, which is why it's no longer good enough just to be a mediocre rec or high school player.
2) opportunities have shrunk, particularly for the middle class, and have increasingly been congregated in several key cities. That all leads to parents being anxious, and feeling that it's necessary to shell out money to give their kids an edge.
3) a generational shift is underway. The Millenials were all about self-actualization and everyone being a winner. The pendulum is swinging the other way. The parents of Gen Z are much more about winning and losing. In school, the kids are tested and ranked. The kids also become something of a status symbol, to be shown off on social media.
4) with parents working and social mores becoming more nervous about dangers that can happen to kids (e.g. kidnappings, being locked in cars), real or perceived, there are no more free ranged children, and in fact having free ranged children might get you locked up by the government. There are no more kids wandering around the neighborhoods ready to play pickup games of football. If you want athletics, they have to be organized. With birthrates falling, there are also fewer of them.
5) US sports have been organized to select kids to play in college. Other nations don't have our collegiate teams. Therefore the focus is on developing good players, but not necessarily just elite players. It's in part why AYSO has fallen into disfavor (because it doesn't supply the kids the necessary training) and why we develop so few homegrown superstars to play in the MLS.
The rest is just the market responding to demand.....
How is it a scam? If you don't like don't spend your money on it.
C'mon. That's not fair and you know it. Soccer coaches aren't getting rich, maybe DOCs or higher ups are.
When I was a kid this kind of coaching wasn't around, so yes my parents saved money. OTOH, the level of dad coaching was pretty bad. Some kids had dads who knew what they were doing, some were naturals, and the rest of us were baggage.
The quality of the coaching is so much better now, the top level kids are so much better now, even average players are so much better than when I was a kid. Even modern pros are better than the old school pros, the level of play at every stage of the game has improved.
chargerfan
GOLD
I like what you said about kids becoming a status symbol, and I 100% agree with this. It's an awful lot of pressure to put on a mini human.
Soccer can be viewed as a scam but I would throw in all youth sports, and lets not forget cheer & dance. For us, it has been worth the money. My kid found her voice on the field. She went from being so shy she hid behind me to someone who insists on giving you her opinion - even if you don't want it. Soccer has given her confidence. She has made a ton of friends along the way. She has had fun (and frustrating) experiences to look back on. She is developing a healthy appreciation for exercise (which is important considering her genetics). It gives us something to talk about. And we get a lot of time in the car to talk about life lessons. Is it expensive - yes. Is it worth it - for us yes. If it helps her get into college - great. I am glad she is participating.
PS We aren't delusional about a pro career or the USWNT. And grades are always first.
PS We aren't delusional about a pro career or the USWNT. And grades are always first.
46n2
SILVER ELITE
agreed and well said
Perfectly said, My BB is on his 4th year and Im happy to pay ... I believe that if your playing and paying for Club then your not one of the negative posts on here, we all know what were getting , forget the name on the shirt its about playing good ball with good players with good coaches.
If your unhappy, leave, simple as that, go back down to rec or ayso, which I dont have any issue with by the way. My BB likes this level of play, its competitive enough for him , our team is F1 and the battles we have between clubs is amazing and fun. Our coach is in my opinion is top notch.
Heres what to really think about
- Are you paying for club because YOU want to SAY your kid(s) play club or are you paying for a better overall SOCCER experience.
- Are you paying for club because you feel like your BB or DD has potential and want them to reach they're peak in the sport
- My BB loves the game
- I can afford it (barely @ times)
- I like my team
- I like my coach
- I truly think my kid is getting the best attention he deserves....
bruinblue14
SILVER
I'm often surprised at how many parents enter the club soccer world without doing their research and a healthy amount of skepticism. Luckily, we've had coaches around us that are honest about our player's skill level and what that means long-term. I agree totally that club soccer is a business, but I didn't realize what a small potatoes business it was until I watched "At All Costs," the documentary about AAU basketball (it's on Netflix right now). Now THAT is big business.
Totally agree, but what is more surprising to me is parents that tolerate bad behavior by coaches towards kids (and/or terrible coaching) and say nothing to the club and don't leave because they are afraid their child will miss out on some perceived future opportunity with the Club.
SoccerFan4Life
PREMIER
Here's why it's not a SCAM.
1. Better training than recreational soccer.
2. Better chance for kids to make friends because they play together for the entire year. Even parents can make friends.
3. More competitive than recreational soccer.
4. You get the full soccer experience if you love the sport.
5. Price for the most part is similar (with some exceptions) to other hobbies/sports ($150 to $200 a month).
6. You are not signing a 3-year or 5-year contract. You can leave after 1 year or half season.
7. Keeps your kids busy. I also consider club soccer as a baby sitting service for my kids to stay away from video games, tv, bad influences.
8. Keeps your kids fit and in better shape than most other kids that do not play sports.
9. Better chance at making high school varsity soccer.
10. Gives your kids to dream about being a professional player. Reality only 1% will make it but kids need to have a dream.
My kids have only done 1 year of club soccer, and I loved it and I hated it at times. At the end, I just want to get them to be active and stay away from drugs and other bad influences going on in middle school. We also get a chance to travel together and talk about soccer at home. Parents have to compete with electronic devices to get kids to talk to you.
1. Better training than recreational soccer.
2. Better chance for kids to make friends because they play together for the entire year. Even parents can make friends.
3. More competitive than recreational soccer.
4. You get the full soccer experience if you love the sport.
5. Price for the most part is similar (with some exceptions) to other hobbies/sports ($150 to $200 a month).
6. You are not signing a 3-year or 5-year contract. You can leave after 1 year or half season.
7. Keeps your kids busy. I also consider club soccer as a baby sitting service for my kids to stay away from video games, tv, bad influences.
8. Keeps your kids fit and in better shape than most other kids that do not play sports.
9. Better chance at making high school varsity soccer.
10. Gives your kids to dream about being a professional player. Reality only 1% will make it but kids need to have a dream.
My kids have only done 1 year of club soccer, and I loved it and I hated it at times. At the end, I just want to get them to be active and stay away from drugs and other bad influences going on in middle school. We also get a chance to travel together and talk about soccer at home. Parents have to compete with electronic devices to get kids to talk to you.
SuperNatural
SILVER ELITE
How FUN!
Just about everything you mentioned sounds recreational. Just 1 yr. huh, yeah you're on the hook good.
SoccerFan4Life
PREMIER
So..... are you looking for the magic formula SuperNatural? There's none. I had 7 years of rec soccer for my kids, 12 teams , 10 different coaches, and during this process my kids learned....... bad soccer skills. I had to spend tons of money on private trainers to get them to improve. Eventually I realized that I just have to pay the club fees and get them around other kids that are better than they are and coaches that are better than dad coaches. SuperNatural, it sounds like you need to get a part time job if you consider Club Soccer a SCAM at $150 a month!!!!!