I think what makes soccer (or certain sports such as basketball) different from music, dance, art etc. is the heavy involvement of parents, i.e. politics, at young age. We are new to soccer, but the extent of parents trying to influence coaches, players and other parents even, was totally unheard of to me in the before soccer era. I have other kids doing extremely well in individual sports. The politics part often makes me question the value of soccer (or other team sports). Is it to introduce kids to politics at a young age? Determination, dedication, time management, goal setting, experience of failure, etc. All kids doing extracurriculum (actually academics included too) at a decently high level would learn all above. What makes soccer different is the political element. Is it soccer all about? |
What way is that ? |
Almost no college soccer players have interest playing pro. Maybe 60-80 a year have any interest and less than half of that will play. What I was saying is that College soccer is here to stay and nothing about court cases or anything else will change that. As a pathway to the pros? Who cares? Women's pro soccer is great. Just went to the Spirit game. But I am not sure that there are many that want to play pro. |
Thank you for your feedback coach pay to play. However most young girls do dream about playing professionally. At least until you ruin it for them. |
Is coach pay to play supposed to coach for free? |
This is an interesting perspective. One that our family did not experience with either of our kids. Sure there were parents at practices and games. But it was a lovely community of like-minded families. If a family wanted a different level of play or style of play they moved on to another team. Our parents were well-behaved on the sidelines - cheering on their players but not influencing the coach, the ref or the game. Both our kids played at a high level - so it's not based on the competitive level. Perhaps this is by the soccer club or location? But I don't think you can make a generalization. Regardless I'm incredibly grateful for the years of soccer and the parents on the sidelines. |
There’s a difference between wanting to play pro and reality. Sure most younger kids, elementary ages, want to play pro. Every kid wants to play in the NFL and NBA. But by the time they reach high school they themselves know it’s not possible for them because they realize they just don’t have that level of talent. By the time they are in college, 95% of the players know pro is not possible but they still play. |
Most young girls have dreams. Most kids won’t work to reach them Most don’t have the athleticism Most around here have parents that think they can close any gaps with purchasing power of $ It doesn’t work like that, never has Most find a dream that fits their ability and work towards it |
The money matters and the parents are aggressive about it even if the kids have very little talent. Seeing Duke, UVA commits like this all the time now. Really good players on top teams get passed over all the time. |
Pay-to-play isn't the sin within itself It's how much we pay and what we get in return that's the problem |
There's little to no scholarship monies to be had in college soccer. So why do parents that have plenty of $$ and the kids are doing academically well drive themselves crazy with soccer? |
It's more than that. Pay to play creates an expectation that players need to pay $$$ to train and get better. Unfortunaly for girls right now there's no free options for training. When this changes pay to play will be acceptable. |
free? what is stopping parents from working with kids or a couple teammates working together? how many kids are getting up and running 3 miles w surges every morning? ain't nothing free, costs time, sweat and tears and some loneliness |
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Why would p2p be acceptable if free training is available? don't understand |