Why club sports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like these threads reveal 3 groups of families.

The families whose kids aren’t into sports and have no idea why anyone would pay for any organized sports.

The families with athletic and talented kids who have very strong interests in sports and a good chance at college and pro options.

The families with kids who are into sports but aren’t particularly talented or athletic but are good enough to play in HS and even college because they put in the work. I think this is the group where travel sports can be such a mixed bag of experiences.

The families with

In addition to the group 4 someone posted with delusions, I think there's a group with kids like my oldest who loved playing in middle school, benefited from the exercise and the camaraderie, and the opportunity to develop his dedication, but also had other things he loved, so he transitioned to playing JV/Varsity in HS and doesn't plan to play at an intercollegiate level in college. College sports were never his goal, and wouldn't be a good fit with his academic aspirations, and his other extracurriculars, but that doesn't mean he didn't enjoy and benefit from competitive sports when he was younger.

People on DCUM act as though a family who chooses club sports in one season, and then chooses something later "failed" at the club sports. Like the whole point of club sports is to "win" or end up in the pros or something, as opposed to it being something that fits your particular kid and your particular family at this particular point in your journey.

Your kid is not good evough jus Say it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like these threads reveal 3 groups of families.

The families whose kids aren’t into sports and have no idea why anyone would pay for any organized sports.

The families with athletic and talented kids who have very strong interests in sports and a good chance at college and pro options.

The families with kids who are into sports but aren’t particularly talented or athletic but are good enough to play in HS and even college because they put in the work. I think this is the group where travel sports can be such a mixed bag of experiences.

The families with

There is a 4th group of parents/kids that are delusional they will play in college because there is always a team willing to take their money and keep the dream alive, even though that coach knows that kid has zero chance.

Thats not an insignificant group…I would guess 20-30%+ of HS travel kids.

More like 80 percent

I was trying to be nice. I will admit the only kids that “were playing for fun” were the kids that played for so long and didn’t do other things…by the time it was clear no college was interested, they just finished it out because it was only a couple more travel seasons at that point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least for soccer, if u want to do travel cheaply, join one of those Latino, African, etc. clubs that are plentiful in the area. They practice 2-3 times a week, usually play rec leagues or eventually EDP, let the kids play across multiple age groups assuming they’re good enough, or take kids super young, and they cost a fraction of all the more popular clubs. Most kids are just playing for fun bc the parents are so unfamiliar with the concept of playing in college for scholarships.

Cons are communication is often terrible, it’s cash based and lots of last minute planning for tournaments, and intense rivalries between clubs that lead to crazy fights.

However, if you’re wondering where some of the players are coming from in MLSNext ages that are displacing players that have been at clubs for a while, many are from these more grassroots clubs.

Why would you assume Latinos or Africans don’t know anything about soccer and college scholarships? What they do know is soccer and if anyone thinks their kid is any good they should join these clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a social/status thing for the parents often. People get caught up in the whole thing and believe their kid is a better or more serious player. Meanwhile travel soccer at that age is pay to play and there is a team for anyone who wants to do it. The 2 travel players on our rec team aren’t even that good.

And by the way rec soccer is robust in elementary school and both my kids found teams with good players where everyone showed up for practices and games and tried.

I think it differs in communities then. By first 90 percent of the kids switch to club teams in our area so it’s just what everyone does. The kids on rec tend to be special needs situations or kids not really playing in any competitive way.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for travel soccer in ES being a scam, except for maybe the rare kid with absurd talent.

I see a lot of post saying half the kids in rec are picking daisies or not showing up. My experience is that beyond kindergarten, that’s not the case.

I just witness a bunch of kids who want to play soccer at rec games. And kids who are taught to support each other even if all their teammates aren’t the next Messi.

I don’t discount others’ experiences. Rec has just always been positive for my kid. And driving an hour to play a game of an extremely common sport seems unnecessary for most kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like these threads reveal 3 groups of families.

The families whose kids aren’t into sports and have no idea why anyone would pay for any organized sports.

The families with athletic and talented kids who have very strong interests in sports and a good chance at college and pro options.

The families with kids who are into sports but aren’t particularly talented or athletic but are good enough to play in HS and even college because they put in the work. I think this is the group where travel sports can be such a mixed bag of experiences.

The families with

There is a 4th group of parents/kids that are delusional they will play in college because there is always a team willing to take their money and keep the dream alive, even though that coach knows that kid has zero chance.

Thats not an insignificant group…I would guess 20-30%+ of HS travel kids.

Lots of travel sports don’t even pretend to be seeking college recruitment. It is just a way to play at a higher level than rec. It costs money because field time and tournaments and umps cost money. It’s not a status symbol or a waste of money. This is just what it costs to play beyond rec. No one is getting rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a social/status thing for the parents often. People get caught up in the whole thing and believe their kid is a better or more serious player. Meanwhile travel soccer at that age is pay to play and there is a team for anyone who wants to do it. The 2 travel players on our rec team aren’t even that good.

And by the way rec soccer is robust in elementary school and both my kids found teams with good players where everyone showed up for practices and games and tried.

I think it differs in communities then. By first 90 percent of the kids switch to club teams in our area so it’s just what everyone does. The kids on rec tend to be special needs situations or kids not really playing in any competitive way.

This comment is an example of parents trying to make it a big deal that their kids plays in a club, a pay to play activity. The whole “my child is too good to play with the special needs and non-competitive kids, they need to travel 100 miles to find other sporty kids”. That’s parents trying to find status. It doesn’t work because it’s way too common to sign kids up for club sports so it doesn’t really work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like these threads reveal 3 groups of families.

The families whose kids aren’t into sports and have no idea why anyone would pay for any organized sports.

The families with athletic and talented kids who have very strong interests in sports and a good chance at college and pro options.

The families with kids who are into sports but aren’t particularly talented or athletic but are good enough to play in HS and even college because they put in the work. I think this is the group where travel sports can be such a mixed bag of experiences.

The families with

There is a 4th group of parents/kids that are delusional they will play in college because there is always a team willing to take their money and keep the dream alive, even though that coach knows that kid has zero chance.

Thats not an insignificant group…I would guess 20-30%+ of HS travel kids.

Lots of travel sports don’t even pretend to be seeking college recruitment. It is just a way to play at a higher level than rec. It costs money because field time and tournaments and umps cost money. It’s not a status symbol or a waste of money. This is just what it costs to play beyond rec. No one is getting rich.

What travel sports have no college recruitment possibility?

Do you mean like travel rugby or something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. They really do it just to annoying you. Get over yourself. Other people have different priorities than you about a lot of things. As you reach high school with drugs and violence travel sports are going to be the least of your issues.

This exactly. My kids have a huge line of alcoholism in our family with multiple grandparents, aunts and uncles who died in their 30’s and several sober but alive now. If I can keep them busy through high school with sports and away from drugs, take all my money!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. They really do it just to annoying you. Get over yourself. Other people have different priorities than you about a lot of things. As you reach high school with drugs and violence travel sports are going to be the least of your issues.

This exactly. My kids have a huge line of alcoholism in our family with multiple grandparents, aunts and uncles who died in their 30’s and several sober but alive now. If I can keep them busy through high school with sports and away from drugs, take all my money!

As long as the activity is chosen by the kid it’s a good idea to keep them busy in middle school and high school. Elementary school kids will do just fine with local sports and local activities that are non-sports related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is in second grade and a few of her friends are playing club soccer. I am trying to understand why you would do this with kids their age? I am not opposed to sports but it seems too intense for their developmental stage. Is the goal a scholarship?

Honestly, it's the same reason why people put their kids in cram schools when their kids are in pre-school. The real separation in ability doesn't even start until 4th grade but they want their kids to have a head start for when that differentiation begins. Over the long run it probably has a positive effect IF THEY DON'T BURN OUT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a social/status thing for the parents often. People get caught up in the whole thing and believe their kid is a better or more serious player. Meanwhile travel soccer at that age is pay to play and there is a team for anyone who wants to do it. The 2 travel players on our rec team aren’t even that good.

And by the way rec soccer is robust in elementary school and both my kids found teams with good players where everyone showed up for practices and games and tried.

I think it differs in communities then. By first 90 percent of the kids switch to club teams in our area so it’s just what everyone does. The kids on rec tend to be special needs situations or kids not really playing in any competitive way.

This comment is an example of parents trying to make it a big deal that their kids plays in a club, a pay to play activity. The whole “my child is too good to play with the special needs and non-competitive kids, they need to travel 100 miles to find other sporty kids”. That’s parents trying to find status. It doesn’t work because it’s way too common to sign kids up for club sports so it doesn’t really work.

It does exclude the very unathletic kids that don't even want to be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for travel soccer in ES being a scam, except for maybe the rare kid with absurd talent.

I see a lot of post saying half the kids in rec are picking daisies or not showing up. My experience is that beyond kindergarten, that’s not the case.

I just witness a bunch of kids who want to play soccer at rec games. And kids who are taught to support each other even if all their teammates aren’t the next Messi.

I don’t discount others’ experiences. Rec has just always been positive for my kid. And driving an hour to play a game of an extremely common sport seems unnecessary for most kids.

You start to see differentiation that sticks in 4th grade or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like these threads reveal 3 groups of families.

The families whose kids aren’t into sports and have no idea why anyone would pay for any organized sports.

The families with athletic and talented kids who have very strong interests in sports and a good chance at college and pro options.

The families with kids who are into sports but aren’t particularly talented or athletic but are good enough to play in HS and even college because they put in the work. I think this is the group where travel sports can be such a mixed bag of experiences.

The families with

There is a 4th group of parents/kids that are delusional they will play in college because there is always a team willing to take their money and keep the dream alive, even though that coach knows that kid has zero chance.

Thats not an insignificant group…I would guess 20-30%+ of HS travel kids.

Lots of travel sports don’t even pretend to be seeking college recruitment. It is just a way to play at a higher level than rec. It costs money because field time and tournaments and umps cost money. It’s not a status symbol or a waste of money. This is just what it costs to play beyond rec. No one is getting rich.

What travel sports have no college recruitment possibility?

Do you mean like travel rugby or something?

There are different levels and leagues in Travel Soccer for example. Many girls in the top soccer leagues get college scholarships in D1. Many girls who don't go D1, go D2 or D3 with little to no scholarship money. The top leagues/ teams for girls soccer only have about 130 girls in Northern Virginia between the 6 teams. But, after that level, there 12-15 more teams with 300-400 girls who may also play in college at a lower level, they may or may not be actively recruited. The, there are all the other travel teams, another 12-20 teams with 350-600 girls who have no chance of being looked at to play in college soccer as the travel level is just too low.

So, even the most popular travel sport for girls, playing travel does not guarantee college recruitment. Most girls will have no recruitment possibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. They really do it just to annoying you. Get over yourself. Other people have different priorities than you about a lot of things. As you reach high school with drugs and violence travel sports are going to be the least of your issues.

This exactly. My kids have a huge line of alcoholism in our family with multiple grandparents, aunts and uncles who died in their 30’s and several sober but alive now. If I can keep them busy through high school with sports and away from drugs, take all my money!

You know it could have the opposite effect right? Particularly when college starts?