Questions to ask before accepting spot on travel team

[Anonymous]

From reading this board I’ve gleaned that it’s important to find out who the coaching staff will be. But is it acceptable also to finding out how large the roster is? For logistical resonance it would also be good for us to know what schools other kids are from. We would be new to this club and as far as i know there’s is no one we know. What’s reasonable and not reasonable to ask before accepting? It’s a lot of time and money. And we’re new to this. 2010 player. Club is competitive at older age groups but still developing at younger ages. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It’s ok to ask about roster size.

They likely can’t answer your question about the kids on the roster. They probably don’t even have it finalized.

My son was a returning player this year and bummed to learn many of his teammates didn’t come back. He didn’t know until a few weeks after he accepted his spot. His main reason for staying was he liked the kids.

[Anonymous]

I was wondering about this. My son moved to a club this spring - mid-year. I am hoping the kids are coming back b/c he really liked them. Is there any way to find out besides asking the parents if kids are coming back? I don't want to be "that parent" asking the coach or manager, but the players returning does have impacts for my son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering about this. My son moved to a club this spring - mid-year. I am hoping the kids are coming back b/c he really liked them. Is there any way to find out besides asking the parents if kids are coming back? I don't want to be "that parent" asking the coach or manager, but the players returning does have impacts for my son.

What's wrong with asking parents if they are returning?

[Anonymous]

I don't know them that well so it just seems weird to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know them that well so it just seems weird to ask.

Your son can ask his teammates.

[Anonymous]

+1. I would ask your child to ask but I also wouldn't have a problem asking the parents. I've done this for other sports.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine to ask parents provided you’ve been chatting all along. The parents have been mostly open about this on my sons U10 team. However, last year there were some roster shakeups. Kids moving up from his B team to A and down from his B team to C. But it should hopefully give you an idea of who will be back.

[Anonymous]

We have been mostly quiet with were our kid is trying out this year barbecue we want to get far away form the current team. The players are not committed, the parents are not committed and the parents then complain about playing time and question why their snowflake isn't improving.

A lot of clubs have players that are at best MSI Classic players who have no business playing in clubs. I am so glad we are moving on but i feel sorry for the coach who is stuck with this environment the club created by taking people's money.

[Anonymous]

I would ask about the coach’s philosophy on playing time.

[Anonymous]

I feel like you can ask all the right questions but you won't get any answers from the club. Who will the coach be? DK. Will they have a sr coach? DK. Where will practice be held? DK. Will a jr or sr coach be at the games? DK. What team will D.C. be on? DK ...but u only have 48 hrs to accept offer. So essentially you have to comment without knowing anything!

[Anonymous]

To the PP: We actually asked all of those questions (plus one about roster size) and got answers for all of them.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one not believing whatever coach says before the season starts?

[Anonymous]

Do you really think the coach is going to tell you if your kid is going to be sidelined?

[Anonymous]

One coach promised my kid starter before we accepted offer. Two months later, my kid was demoted to second team right after we were back from vacation.