Made a travel soccer team then broke an ankle at a scrimmage...

[Anonymous]

How do the payments work for travel teams when your child breaks an ankle early on and cannot play for most of the season? Right now we are at least two months out from him returning, and likely more depending on PT, but should we still make payments? Before I talk to the club, I was wondering what other folks have experienced? If my son misses the full season do we still pay for the full season (monthly payments for the year), or do we skip one quarter of the payments since as it stands now he will be out one quarter of the seasonal year? He will miss at least one tournament, but his spot on the team is secure per the coach, because the coach wants him to rehab and return. Anyone had any experience with this? What should I be asking the club for?

[Anonymous]

Did you sign a contract? What does the paperwork say?

[Anonymous]

There may be some compassionate relief, but I would be prepared to have to pay the full amount, especially if his spot is secure and he will return during the season. It sucks, but the team costs still have to get paid.

[Anonymous]

Mine was never injured for that long but if he's taking a spot, and the budget is based on the full team of players, I think you need to pay. The team costs don't vary with injuries. On DCs team kids were expected to attend all games and some practices when they were injured (except concussions).

[Anonymous]

The club our son plays for (Bethesda) includes information about fees in the case of injury in their registration packet, which they post online. They say that you need to submit a doctor's note and an estimate of the time needed for recovery, and they will refund between 15% and 30% of the annual fee. Hopefully the club your son is on has similar info posted somewhere on their website.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I'll check on their website - the paperwork doesn't address extended injury, so I'm hoping the website does.

[Anonymous]

Be sure to add time to recondition after the cast comes off. At least a week, probably more.

[Anonymous]

I'd expect to pay the full amount or lose his place on the team.

[Anonymous]

Well run clubs give a refund, mom and pop shops take the money and run.

[Anonymous]

If he's out the whole year, then they should refund and fill the spot with someone else. If you're just taking a couple months off, then I would expect you to still have to pay. They can't fill your spot with a temp kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he's out the whole year, then they should refund and fill the spot with someone else. If you're just taking a couple months off, then I would expect you to still have to pay. They can't fill your spot with a temp kid.

A good coach creates a roster that can allow for injuries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he's out the whole year, then they should refund and fill the spot with someone else. If you're just taking a couple months off, then I would expect you to still have to pay. They can't fill your spot with a temp kid.

A good coach creates a roster that can allow for injuries.

The roster isn't the problem - they have second-string players who can move up the line. Its that the team has X number of kids and they need to cover their costs. Or do they charge everyone extra to cover the 2-3 kids getting a refund for not playing for 2 months of the year. That doesn't seem fair either.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you should have to pay for the months he can't play. He was injured while playing for the team. It is a legitimate injury that he needs time to recooperate. By the time the cast comes off and he rehabs the fall season will be coming to a close. Don't automatically believe the coach that your child will have his starting spot back. He might just feel guilty about telling you your son won't play in the fall or he wants the club to get paid so he can get paid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he's out the whole year, then they should refund and fill the spot with someone else. If you're just taking a couple months off, then I would expect you to still have to pay. They can't fill your spot with a temp kid.

A good coach creates a roster that can allow for injuries.

The roster isn't the problem - they have second-string players who can move up the line. Its that the team has X number of kids and they need to cover their costs. Or do they charge everyone extra to cover the 2-3 kids getting a refund for not playing for 2 months of the year. That doesn't seem fair either.

It a club and the fees should cover the refund. If you under rostered you can't cover the costs. But sometimes they can pick up a kid mid-season or get a guest players. That is why most tournaments allow 1-2 guest players, not for the hired gun which is how it is usually used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you should have to pay for the months he can't play. He was injured while playing for the team. It is a legitimate injury that he needs time to recooperate. By the time the cast comes off and he rehabs the fall season will be coming to a close. Don't automatically believe the coach that your child will have his starting spot back. He might just feel guilty about telling you your son won't play in the fall or he wants the club to get paid so he can get paid.

A real injury will take a few weeks after being cleared for play to build up endurance and flexibility. A good coach will not throw a kid back in starting/full game if he wants to protect him from another injury.