Reality Check: What You're Paying For

Reality Check: What You're Paying For
By Mike Barr

There is a young team, within a premier club recognized for its past successes, which is taking things to the extreme in regard to cost, matches, and the player's total involvement in the sport. This team is currently playing more than 80 games per year and practices at least two times per week.

Remember, these are children 12 years old and younger. Examine the costs to parents of each player in order for them to participate per year:

Uniforms and equipment: $200 to $750
Coaching salaries, coaches' travel expenses: $1,000 to $1,800
Indoor field rental: $200 to $300
Outdoor field rental: $300 to $500
Referee fees: $200 to $300
Tournament fees: $200 to $1,500
Banquet: $30 to $60
Gas and means for matches and practices: $750 to $1,400

These costs do not include the extra costs to parents who decide to go with their children to tournaments or matches. The estimated total costs are probably on the low end, according to an article from the New York Times titled, "The Scholarship Divide Expectations Lose to Reality of Sports Scholarships."

Even with a robust economy, these costs seem ridiculous, but in light of our country's plight, I can't see how anyone can justify the financial sacrifice needed to support a child's involvement in soccer -- or any sport -- to this extent, especially at this age.

Burnout
Elena Delle Donne, from Ursuline Academy in Wilmington Del., was the 2008 Naismith High School Basketball Player of the year. She was recruited by every Division I college in the United States but lasted only 48 hours at Connecticut that fall. She admitted to being burned out at 13 -- all the success and accolades she received did not make a difference. Rather than be a college basketball superstar at UConn, Delle Donne transferred to the University of Delaware and is now playing volleyball.

I am seeing the same thing in soccer, both at early and later stages of players' careers. Elite players come home from four-year college, stop playing the sport and have no involvement in coaching. They are tired, and finally have a chance to relax, enjoy life and move ahead with their careers. Many never pick up a soccer ball again.

The Myth
"Switch to our club or play with my team. Eighty percent of the players on our U17 team received scholarships. Our club is exposed to the collegiate coaches. We have the coaches who can get you to the next level."

This is the sales pitch made to players and parents alike, but what are the true experiences of players who play at the top level of club soccer in regard to college or professional soccer?

First and foremost, the average athletic scholarship, excluding football and basketball, for all athletes, is only between $7,000-$8,000 per year. Tuition plus room and board runs anywhere from $20,000-$52,000 per year. In 11 of the 14 Division 1 sports that feature both men and women's teams, women receive a higher average amount.

The truth is, almost no soccer players ever receive a full athletic scholarship. Take into consideration a player who receives a scholarship of 25 percent from a college with tuition rates of $40,000 per year. This scholarship, over four years, is worth $40,000, but the total cost to the parents and student is still $120,000.

Coaches in some men's Division I programs have the maximum 9.9 scholarships over a four-year period, and are forced to divide them up in order to maintain continuity. If you know of a student who is on a full ride, it is because he most likely received money academically or through a financial aid package. Though some Division I women's soccer programs have up to 14 scholarships, their coaches must also use a full-ride sparingly.

My good friend Lew Atkinson, Director of Coaching in Delaware, likes to explain to parents, "If you are looking for your son or daughter to receive a scholarship to college, I suggest you spend the money directed to soccer toward an academic tutor. The cost is less expensive and the financial awards are greater."

Professional Soccer
"Our club coach told us our son or daughter has the talent to play professionally." The odds are huge and the financial rewards are minimal when it comes to making a professional soccer team in our country, and living the high lifestyle of other professional athletes.

If we examine the salaries of six former Eastern Pennsylvania soccer players currently playing in the MLS, you may be surprised at their pay in the beginning of their careers. As their careers blossom and progress, an MLS professional can make a decent living, but until that time, their salary is less than that of a first-year teacher coming out of college.

Ben Olsen and Chris Albright are two of the most successful players from EPYSA now playing in the MLS. Both have 10 years experience in the league and have played for the U.S. national team on numerous occasions. Olsen's salary from D.C United is $215,000 and Albright's salary from New England is $160,000. Jon Conway has been playing in the MLS for eight years and makes a salary of $81,250. Jeff Parke of Seattle, who has been a strong back in the league for five years, earns $58,737. Jeff Larentowicz, a young, strong central midfielder for New England is entering his fifth season, earned $33,000 last year. Wake Forest's Julian Valentin, currently on the LA Galaxy roster, earner $12,900 in 2008.

You can expect the Women's Professional League to have lower salaries than the men, with only the top-name players receiving larger shares.

Conclusion
Parents, take the time to think about you child and their future. Provide them with opportunities when they are young to explore other interests in sports or in the arts. There is always a possibility that, simply because you exposed them to new ventures, they may find a career or a wonderful hobby that will last a lifetime.

Should your child remain passionate about soccer or any sport, choose the proper path. Ask questions, expose them to different coaches and ask yourself, "Am I doing what is in the best interest of my child?"

Trust me, you will be pulled in many directions as he or she goes through youth sports. Make the right decisions.

(Mike Barr is the Director of Coaching of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and the head men's coach of Immaculta University. He coached the boys team at Strath Haven High School in 1984-2005, winning five PIAA state titles, six PIAA District One titles and 16 Central League titles.)

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Thursday, July 2, 2009:

Great article, Boo. Thanks for posting.

tbitb wrote:Great article, Boo. Thanks for posting.

Funny the article came out on July 2nd..after the ink dried.

As our parents wait on their share of the Fall fees of 1/16 of the Classic League and Field Maintenance expenses, I hope they feel good about playing Competitive Soccer grounded in fair play and reality.

When asked what my kiddo wanted to be when he grows up, he replied.(in 2006)............professional soccer player or bartender. The person, a professional soccer player, told him to do both and then just maybe he could pay the rent

We didn't really involve our child in select soccer "to get a scholarship". It was an activity he was good at in rec, and our goal was for him to become excellent at something he enjoyed. We've never planned that this would lead to a college scholarship. It would be great if it does, but we aren't counting on that. We have pointed out to him that, even if he doesn't continue to play, there are many ways he might be involved in soccer or sports in general - as an official, as a coach, as a trainer, broadcaster, writer, etc, and his playing experience could help with any of those. Is the monetary cost too high? That is hard to gauge. Its hard to say how much you should pay to help your kid get better at activities he or she enjoys. Depends on the details of your situation, income, child's actually ability and interest, and so on. Similar articles could be (and probably have been) written about the cost-benefit of youth music lessons, dance, private vs. public education, etc etc. I guess the main point of the article is "don't let your dreams for your child cloud your judgment", which is undeniably good advice.

I think we are going to let this one slide for the first year or two but after that I'm not gonna give these clubs nothing more! our kids by the time their 12 or 13 have learned most of what they needed from the clubs anyways!so you can just go back to rec" and play up until HS and they can still get seen by scouts for scholarships(if their good enough)and take it from their!of course the competition will not be as good in rec(thats why you play up) but alot cheaper to play!

Well this is definitely the last year I hand over more than 2200.00 for my bb to play. My dd just got a contract on a team that is going to be less than half of that. And her team should be pretty good this year, tons of talent onboard.
Big clubs beware I'm thinking I'm not the only one planning on going this route...

Looking at past posts found this REALITY CHECK article, posted by b0013 a few years ago, worth reading, again

THe article is the first post, by the way!

b0013,

So what your saying if all the NTX parents decided to tell the clubs....I only going pay $1000.00 per year take or leave it? Would they stop offering all those free scholarship to players?

Then I could take that extra $1500.00 and put it in my kids college fund. That's 8 years x $1500.00 equals $12,000.00 for college. Than again what if my kid played Rec/middle school/HS only (200.00 yearly) that's 8 years x $2300.00 equals $18,400.00 for college.

Plus that's not including tournament fees,uniforms and travel expenses.

But that's true I have a 28 year old son and a 24 year old daughter in San Antonio. They only played Rec and High School. Both recieved partial scholarships. In NTX select soccer is a big deal, but in South Texas it's not. My San Antonio High School won 4 straight TAPPS titles, you would think Dallas TAPP schools with such a big pool of select players would fair better. Though Jesuit plays UIL.

Great Article b0013

and

DownTown21 wrote:But that's true I have a 28 year old son and a 24 year old daughter in San Antonio. They only played Rec and High School. Both recieved partial scholarships. In NTX select soccer is a big deal, but in South Texas it's not. My San Antonio High School won 4 straight TAPPS titles, you would think Dallas TAPP schools with such a big pool of select players would fair better. Though Jesuit plays UIL.

Your kids are at least 6-7 years removed from select soccer. Select soccer is a very big things in South Texas, particularly in EDDOA. And all of the top high school teams around here have a healthy roster full of Academy, Premier League and D1 players.

Roman wrote:

DownTown21 wrote:But that's true I have a 28 year old son and a 24 year old daughter in San Antonio. They only played Rec and High School. Both recieved partial scholarships. In NTX select soccer is a big deal, but in South Texas it's not. My San Antonio High School won 4 straight TAPPS titles, you would think Dallas TAPP schools with such a big pool of select players would fair better. Though Jesuit plays UIL.

Your kids are at least 6-7 years removed from select soccer. Select soccer is a very big things in South Texas, particularly in EDDOA. And all of the top high school teams around here have a healthy roster full of Academy, Premier League and D1 players.

Yes, but Houston only has 6 teams in top division and 12 in silver that's only 18 teams in the U-14. San Antonio has only 5-6 teams last time I checked and a total of 9 for the area. The pool of players and talent in no where close to Dallas. Houston area is a bit better than SA. Texans purchase the hammerheads in SA and have been doing good.

DownTown21 wrote:

Roman wrote:

DownTown21 wrote:But that's true I have a 28 year old son and a 24 year old daughter in San Antonio. They only played Rec and High School. Both recieved partial scholarships. In NTX select soccer is a big deal, but in South Texas it's not. My San Antonio High School won 4 straight TAPPS titles, you would think Dallas TAPP schools with such a big pool of select players would fair better. Though Jesuit plays UIL.

Your kids are at least 6-7 years removed from select soccer. Select soccer is a very big things in South Texas, particularly in EDDOA. And all of the top high school teams around here have a healthy roster full of Academy, Premier League and D1 players.

Yes, but Houston only has 6 teams in top division and 12 in silver that's only 18 teams in the U-14. San Antonio has only 5-6 teams last time I checked and a total of 9 for the area. The pool of players and talent in no where close to Dallas. Houston area is a bit better than SA. Texans purchase the hammerheads in SA and have been doing good.

There is really no comparison of Select soccer today vs. 10 years ago. Advanced training is happening at younger ages therefore a U12 today is significantly better than a U12 of 10 years ago. There are always individual exceptions.

Yes there is no comparsion of select from 12 years ago and today. Twelve yars ago you had to be a truly select player. Today you need a select bank account. The top players/teams may be better but when you consider that there are probably 60 "select" U12 teams in the DFW area. For many it is a social activity. In more affluent communities many kids and parents look down on rec as if it is some sort of social stigma. I doubt the average select player/team is better than in the past.

And you walked 10 miles to school in the snow uphill both ways then too right.....

my2cents wrote: I doubt the average select player/team is better than in the past.

All the coaches that I ever talked to have a different opinion. They were all saying that it is significantly better that 10 years ago.

I think we have to assume there are higher numbers of quality players, simply because there are many more kids playing soccer now. "Quality" is relative of course, but as I have heard it, in the past, you would have most of the best players on a small number of teams. So if you compare the top teams now vs. the top teams of old...may/may not be better, but the overall level of play, top to bottom, has to be improved based on sheer numbers.

Boycott the clubs? Riiiggghhhtttt. I am pretty sure most of us don't like paying $150 for good seats to the Cowboys, Mavs,etc., but I sure haven't seen a boycott against Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban...have you? Why? SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

The article that was posted is an "oldie, but a goodie". It is a great reminder to all, that soccer is no different than other sports, a very select few are able to play beyond high school. It's a fact. But...who cares? We should not even be thinking about this kind of junk! Let your kid dream, support them in their efforts, but quietly, keep putting those pennies away....you will need them!

Save for college...enjoy the ride....the memories...the life lessons your kids are learning through sports. For those of you lucky enough to get some sort of college money (however your kids do it...soccer, academics, etc)? BONUS. 1-2 out of 100...those are the odds. Deal with it. If you deem the ROI on select soccer is not good enough? Find another sport. Actions are louder than words.

anselansel wrote:And you walked 10 miles to school in the snow uphill both ways then too right.....

Three feet of snow in the summer

my2cents wrote:Yes there is no comparsion of select from 12 years ago and today. Twelve yars ago you had to be a truly select player. Today you need a select bank account. The top players/teams may be better but when you consider that there are probably 60 "select" U12 teams in the DFW area. For many it is a social activity. In more affluent communities many kids and parents look down on rec as if it is some sort of social stigma. I doubt the average select player/team is better than in the past.

Well said my2cents. When I think about 10 years ago my two other kids were much better then players today at age 12. Back then coaches didn't use the most athletic players on the field. They taught the tactical and skills part of game. Since the age of 8, I have not seem a coach of my son work on these areas. Ninty percent of kids today playing in NTX don't understand their roles of their position or movement on the field. ASK YOUR KID if his coach has ever told him how to cover and play his position. ( This does not apply to Premier and some D1 teams.) I will admit last year our coach did talk about how to overlap, help and cover on defense, thou brief (maybe 3 or 4 practices) it was great.

chriswhit wrote:I think we have to assume there are higher numbers of quality players, simply because there are many more kids playing soccer now. "Quality" is relative of course, but as I have heard it, in the past, you would have most of the best players on a small number of teams. So if you compare the top teams now vs. the top teams of old...may/may not be better, but the overall level of play, top to bottom, has to be improved based on sheer numbers.

Boycott the clubs? Riiiggghhhtttt. I am pretty sure most of us don't like paying $150 for good seats to the Cowboys, Mavs,etc., but I sure haven't seen a boycott against Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban...have you? Why? SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

The article that was posted is an "oldie, but a goodie". It is a great reminder to all, that soccer is no different than other sports, a very select few are able to play beyond high school. It's a fact. But...who cares? We should not even be thinking about this kind of junk! Let your kid dream, support them in their efforts, but quietly, keep putting those pennies away....you will need them!

Save for college...enjoy the ride....the memories...the life lessons your kids are learning through sports. For those of you lucky enough to get some sort of college money (however your kids do it...soccer, academics, etc)? BONUS. 1-2 out of 100...those are the odds. Deal with it. If you deem the ROI on select soccer is not good enough? Find another sport. Actions are louder than words.

Thanks for the feedback but according to what I am hearing a pre-academy team can cost up to $10K a year with fees, uniforms, travel, hotels, tournaments, gas, toll tags, car expenses, etc, etc... With that amount being paid out solely for a 12-13 year olds sport, how are we expected to save anything for college??? I know know about anyone else, but that is a lot of money for most. And that assumes you have only ONE kid playing. Sounds like the big clubs have themselves a nice little setup in North Texas.

crfan wrote:

chriswhit wrote:I think we have to assume there are higher numbers of quality players, simply because there are many more kids playing soccer now. "Quality" is relative of course, but as I have heard it, in the past, you would have most of the best players on a small number of teams. So if you compare the top teams now vs. the top teams of old...may/may not be better, but the overall level of play, top to bottom, has to be improved based on sheer numbers.

Boycott the clubs? Riiiggghhhtttt. I am pretty sure most of us don't like paying $150 for good seats to the Cowboys, Mavs,etc., but I sure haven't seen a boycott against Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban...have you? Why? SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

The article that was posted is an "oldie, but a goodie". It is a great reminder to all, that soccer is no different than other sports, a very select few are able to play beyond high school. It's a fact. But...who cares? We should not even be thinking about this kind of junk! Let your kid dream, support them in their efforts, but quietly, keep putting those pennies away....you will need them!

Save for college...enjoy the ride....the memories...the life lessons your kids are learning through sports. For those of you lucky enough to get some sort of college money (however your kids do it...soccer, academics, etc)? BONUS. 1-2 out of 100...those are the odds. Deal with it. If you deem the ROI on select soccer is not good enough? Find another sport. Actions are louder than words.

Thanks for the feedback but according to what I am hearing a pre-academy team can cost up to $10K a year with fees, uniforms, travel, hotels, tournaments, gas, toll tags, car expenses, etc, etc... With that amount being paid out solely for a 12-13 year olds sport, how are we expected to save anything for college??? I know know about anyone else, but that is a lot of money for most. And that assumes you have only ONE kid playing. Sounds like the big clubs have themselves a nice little setup in North Texas.

I would be willing to bet the average household income of kids on select soccer teams is over 135K a year. It is definately a "select" sport in more ways than one. On the other hand, I do hear about some teams giving scholarships to play for a certain club. I wonder how many kids on a given select team are getting scholorship from the club.

WRG wrote:

crfan wrote:

chriswhit wrote:I think we have to assume there are higher numbers of quality players, simply because there are many more kids playing soccer now. "Quality" is relative of course, but as I have heard it, in the past, you would have most of the best players on a small number of teams. So if you compare the top teams now vs. the top teams of old...may/may not be better, but the overall level of play, top to bottom, has to be improved based on sheer numbers.

Boycott the clubs? Riiiggghhhtttt. I am pretty sure most of us don't like paying $150 for good seats to the Cowboys, Mavs,etc., but I sure haven't seen a boycott against Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban...have you? Why? SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

The article that was posted is an "oldie, but a goodie". It is a great reminder to all, that soccer is no different than other sports, a very select few are able to play beyond high school. It's a fact. But...who cares? We should not even be thinking about this kind of junk! Let your kid dream, support them in their efforts, but quietly, keep putting those pennies away....you will need them!

Save for college...enjoy the ride....the memories...the life lessons your kids are learning through sports. For those of you lucky enough to get some sort of college money (however your kids do it...soccer, academics, etc)? BONUS. 1-2 out of 100...those are the odds. Deal with it. If you deem the ROI on select soccer is not good enough? Find another sport. Actions are louder than words.

Thanks for the feedback but according to what I am hearing a pre-academy team can cost up to $10K a year with fees, uniforms, travel, hotels, tournaments, gas, toll tags, car expenses, etc, etc... With that amount being paid out solely for a 12-13 year olds sport, how are we expected to save anything for college??? I know know about anyone else, but that is a lot of money for most. And that assumes you have only ONE kid playing. Sounds like the big clubs have themselves a nice little setup in North Texas.

I would be willing to bet the average household income of kids on select soccer teams is over 135K a year. It is definately a "select" sport in more ways than one. On the other hand, I do hear about some teams giving scholarships to play for a certain club. I wonder how many kids on a given select team are getting scholorship from the club.

Knowing all but one club scholarships their entire academy rosters - I do wonder if it will be a pre-academy of rich kids that eventually go to D1 when Academy time comes as the less wealthy real players show up for the free ride to the Academy team.

This isn't to say all good players are poor or vice-versa, but if there is a healthy bill to pay - that changes the accessibility aspect of it.

FYI - if it's anything like PL, which it's supposed to emulate, the cost wasn't that bad - couple drivable trips for weekends (one South, one North). If you are very conscientious about that, you can hook your kids up with a chaperone and probably go for next to nothing or go as a family and probably get by for under $400 for a weekend, hotel, food, gas included...but not for much longer at these prices.

It's all in your choices people - no one can make that decision except you and your pocketbook (or credit card for some).

WRG wrote:

I would be willing to bet the average household income of kids on select soccer teams is over 135K a year. It is definately a "select" sport in more ways than one. On the other hand, I do hear about some teams giving scholarships to play for a certain club. I wonder how many kids on a given select team are getting scholorship from the club.

I have to have a serious talk to my boss.

Every word of that article is absolute truth. And yet, still we keep coming back to select soccer, year after year.

I have always preached this mantra since day 1 of select soccer: What is your endgame? Is it worth all of the time, effort, and money you are pouring into it? Only you can answer this question. And you need to continuously re-evaluate your answer to this question.

WRG wrote:

crfan wrote:

chriswhit wrote:I think we have to assume there are higher numbers of quality players, simply because there are many more kids playing soccer now. "Quality" is relative of course, but as I have heard it, in the past, you would have most of the best players on a small number of teams. So if you compare the top teams now vs. the top teams of old...may/may not be better, but the overall level of play, top to bottom, has to be improved based on sheer numbers.

Boycott the clubs? Riiiggghhhtttt. I am pretty sure most of us don't like paying $150 for good seats to the Cowboys, Mavs,etc., but I sure haven't seen a boycott against Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban...have you? Why? SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

The article that was posted is an "oldie, but a goodie". It is a great reminder to all, that soccer is no different than other sports, a very select few are able to play beyond high school. It's a fact. But...who cares? We should not even be thinking about this kind of junk! Let your kid dream, support them in their efforts, but quietly, keep putting those pennies away....you will need them!

Save for college...enjoy the ride....the memories...the life lessons your kids are learning through sports. For those of you lucky enough to get some sort of college money (however your kids do it...soccer, academics, etc)? BONUS. 1-2 out of 100...those are the odds. Deal with it. If you deem the ROI on select soccer is not good enough? Find another sport. Actions are louder than words.

Thanks for the feedback but according to what I am hearing a pre-academy team can cost up to $10K a year with fees, uniforms, travel, hotels, tournaments, gas, toll tags, car expenses, etc, etc... With that amount being paid out solely for a 12-13 year olds sport, how are we expected to save anything for college??? I know know about anyone else, but that is a lot of money for most. And that assumes you have only ONE kid playing. Sounds like the big clubs have themselves a nice little setup in North Texas.

I would be willing to bet the average household income of kids on select soccer teams is over 135K a year. It is definately a "select" sport in more ways than one. On the other hand, I do hear about some teams giving scholarships to play for a certain club. I wonder how many kids on a given select team are getting scholorship from the club.

And your basis for picking this magic number is what?