What do you think of the kids on Scholarship?

[Anonymous]

I was in a position to know who paid what as a team manager. I was surprised by some who were and some who were not on scholarship - it was not as predictable as you might think. We had some DACA kids too - we basically had to do everything for them. Not just $, but pretty much anything to do with the kid being present at practices and games. Total dependency on other parents.

Did they sometimes behave in ways that made you think ‘we’re paying for this kid to be here?’ Yes. But all kids have their bad days.

I think they worst was not kids on scholarships but parents who just didn’t pay. Those were the worst. Eventually they’d be thrown out, but they were by far the worst. I think they could pay - just didn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Absolutely, and the same policy should be applied to all aspects of society. Screw all this equal-opportunity, meritocracy BS! What are we, communists for God's sake?! The best opportunities should always go to those who were smart enough and worked hard enough to be born to rich parents. For those who chose to be born to poor parents, there are always other options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Exactly how much of what you pay to the club do you honestly believe goes towards scholarship?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If im paying 3000$ and someone else is only pay 1000 then thats BS. We all live in the same country and should pay the same amount

Great logic. That should apply for taxes too right? We should all pay the same amount since we all live in the same country. Not the same percentage of income - the same actual amount. We should all just get an itemized bill every year for all of the government services we get - $___ for schools, $____ for road construction, $ ______ for national defense, $ __________ for local security (police, courts, jails, fire dept), etc.... If anyone can't afford to pay, F 'em! They just don't get those services next year.

Thanks for proving there's no correlation between income and intelligence.

And before anyone chimes and to point out that travel soccer and essential government services are not the same thing, of course they're not. But not recognizing that $3000 to someone making $100,000 / year is not the same thing as $3000 to someone making <$20,000 per year is not just ignorant - it's stupid.

Playing travel soccer is a choice. If you don't your kid to play for a club where the majority of other members have chosen to provide a certain number scholarships to less fortunate children, then make a different choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Club scholarships are need based not merit.

Yes, and my opinion is that I think it should be based on both. I understand that it would be difficult for a large club to do this but large clubs have the money to base scholarships strictly off of need. In smaller clubs where the money is tighter and the budget often differs between teams, I think you have to be more selective. If 15 parents are kicking in an extra $100 so the 16th can join for free, I think that 16th player should be selected based on merit as well. Keep in mind, there is rec to keep the uncommitted players/families playing soccer.

These are all perfectly acceptable policy decisions that clubs can make - whether to award scholarships solely on the basis of need, solely on merit, or a combination (a player who will make a positive impact on the team, and needs the help). I have seen all three approaches. In my opinion the key is to be clear and upfront with everyone about what the policy is and how it will be implemented - how many scholarships will be awarded, and on what basis - and to make this a part of the offer letter so everyone goes into the situation fully informed. I get that it would be hard for a B team parent who is unhappy about their kid's placement to later find out that they are basically helping to fund one of the kids taking a spot on the A team, but if you know this is the way it's going to be before you agree to join the team, it's a lot harder to complain about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Club scholarships are need based not merit.

Yes, and my opinion is that I think it should be based on both. I understand that it would be difficult for a large club to do this but large clubs have the money to base scholarships strictly off of need. In smaller clubs where the money is tighter and the budget often differs between teams, I think you have to be more selective. If 15 parents are kicking in an extra $100 so the 16th can join for free, I think that 16th player should be selected based on merit as well. Keep in mind, there is rec to keep the uncommitted players/families playing soccer.

These are all perfectly acceptable policy decisions that clubs can make - whether to award scholarships solely on the basis of need, solely on merit, or a combination (a player who will make a positive impact on the team, and needs the help). I have seen all three approaches. In my opinion the key is to be clear and upfront with everyone about what the policy is and how it will be implemented - how many scholarships will be awarded, and on what basis - and to make this a part of the offer letter so everyone goes into the situation fully informed. I get that it would be hard for a B team parent who is unhappy about their kid's placement to later find out that they are basically helping to fund one of the kids taking a spot on the A team, but if you know this is the way it's going to be before you agree to join the team, it's a lot harder to complain about it.

Why should a B team parent feel upset knowing some of their club fees paid in to a scholarship for a A team player? Their kid didn't make the team and if the only reason they would have made the team is because they can afford to while the other kid can't.

So the B team parent should be upset when they find out that it takes more than money to make the A team?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Absolutely, and the same policy should be applied to all aspects of society. Screw all this equal-opportunity, meritocracy BS! What are we, communists for God's sake?! The best opportunities should always go to those who were smart enough and worked hard enough to be born to rich parents. For those who chose to be born to poor parents, there are always other options.

Really loser,. What makes u think the parent(s) have little education idiot?! Stereotypical ass?! Perhaps they are dealing with a hardship or some sort heartless soul

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Absolutely, and the same policy should be applied to all aspects of society. Screw all this equal-opportunity, meritocracy BS! What are we, communists for God's sake?! The best opportunities should always go to those who were smart enough and worked hard enough to be born to rich parents. For those who chose to be born to poor parents, there are always other options.

Total sh*thead, you’ll take your words back if you ever end up in a serious hardship

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Absolutely, and the same policy should be applied to all aspects of society. Screw all this equal-opportunity, meritocracy BS! What are we, communists for God's sake?! The best opportunities should always go to those who were smart enough and worked hard enough to be born to rich parents. For those who chose to be born to poor parents, there are always other options.

I hope you are being sarcastic.

[Anonymous]

I'm a little scared for the pp's who missed the obvious sarcasm here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little scared for the pp's who missed the obvious sarcasm here.

Thank you. If I actually thought like that, I'd throw myself in front of a bus and call it Karma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little scared for the pp's who missed the obvious sarcasm here.

That's what I thought, but with an eyeroll for punctuation, and there some real jackasses and internet campaign nutjobs, I confess, it's getting harder and harder to know any more. The fact this thread exists is discouraging.

[Anonymous]

^without

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Absolutely, and the same policy should be applied to all aspects of society. Screw all this equal-opportunity, meritocracy BS! What are we, communists for God's sake?! The best opportunities should always go to those who were smart enough and worked hard enough to be born to rich parents. For those who chose to be born to poor parents, there are always other options.

I hope you are being sarcastic.

PP -This person is probably a stay at home parent with no education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel that if there are more affordable options available to the family (like rec soccer programs) then there should be no scholarships for travel. Its not ok for me to pay for my child and her teammate plays for free. Especially if it takes away from Childs playing time. I know the pay to play system does always allow for the best kids to play. But until that is fixed if I'm forced to pay for my child to play at a higher level so should the other girls parents.

Absolutely, and the same policy should be applied to all aspects of society. Screw all this equal-opportunity, meritocracy BS! What are we, communists for God's sake?! The best opportunities should always go to those who were smart enough and worked hard enough to be born to rich parents. For those who chose to be born to poor parents, there are always other options.

I hope you are being sarcastic.

PP -This person is probably a stay at home parent with no education

Who?