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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why is Metro Travel so expensive? It's better quality volleyball training for almost double the price![/quote]

Take a look at the tournament list it’s more travel, like getting on airplanes travel.  The fees include the coaches’ travel expenses.  Metro’s regional teams go to regional tournaments, so less travel, less cost.  [/quote]
Metro fees don't include any travel costs. The coach travel fees are billed separately each month during the season and player travel is paid for by parents too. Another thing to note is Metro's posted fees don't include uniforms and other required gear (this year's package including only required gear was around $700). They require players to buy new uniforms/gear on a 3-year cycle separate from club fees. If your DD plays for Metro for multiple seasons this can be a cost savings, but depending on when they start within a cycle it's possible you could have to pay for uniforms sooner. The current Metro uniforms were new this year so if they continue the same practice, they will get 2 more seasons in these jerseys.

All that said, the fees are more expensive for several reasons. First, the Metro Travel teams go to more tournaments meaning there are more entry fees to pay. And they go to more qualifiers and multiday tournaments which tend to have higher entry fees. They practice more often than regional teams meaning there are increased costs for gym time. Metro Travel coaches get paid more than the regional coaches - both because they have more to do (with more tournaments and practices) and because they are more experienced and more qualified. Metro Travel fees also include practice space and coaching time through USAV nationals which are generally end of June into early July.  Most other clubs collect additional fees for coach and gym time if a team gets a bid for Nationals (or decides to go to AAU Nationals).

Metro Travel fees are definitely more expensive than the Metro Regional teams, but they can look less expensive than other clubs that play a similar schedule and practice a similar amount but you need to dig into what's included and what isn't to do a meaningful comparison. For example, Paramount shows their 2025 fees for their top 15s at $6,850 ([url]https://www.paramountvbc.com/fees[/url]). That includes uniforms/gear and coach travel but not fees through Nationals. Meanwhile, Metro 15 Travel's base fee is $4,155 ([url]https://www.metrovbc.com/teaminfo-travel[/url]) but does not include uniforms or coach travel, but does include practice and coach time through Nationals.  I think by the time you total everything up Metro Travel and Paramount end up pretty similar in total cost, with Metro maybe being a bit less expensive.

Where you really need to think hard about cost is at clubs that aren't among the best performing in the region that are still charging similar prices (for example MOJO's fees for 15s are $6,175 and the St James are $5,550).

If you search back through this thread and many other DCUM volleyball threads you will see a consistent theme that Virginia clubs seem to be able to charge more than Maryland clubs and that does seem somewhat accurate. It's also pretty clear that MVSA tends to be the best bang for your buck amongst larger CHRVA clubs - their fees are much lower and they still offer good training and have competitive teams. Because of that MVSA teams can be difficult to make.

Speaking of making teams, if you're new to club volleyball, it's really important to know that fees aren't usually the primary factor in deciding between a Metro Travel and a Metro Regional team. Metro Travel teams are generally considered the best in the region (there are of course exceptions) and therefore the demand for these teams is high and the number of rosters spots is limited. The maximum number of players a team can take is 15, but know that 15 players is really too many and something around 12 or less is better. But there is intense competition for these 15 or fewer spots. Many really great volleyball players don't make these teams every year. If your DD is not really tall, super athletic, or already exceptionally skilled, then the chances of making a Metro Travel team is low.

Don't get fixated on Metro Travel or Paramount as the only options. While these clubs get a disproportionate share of the discussion on these forums, there are many other good local clubs for players at all levels. Do your best to find the best fit for your DD. It's also important to understand that costs for club volleyball tend to be higher than seems reasonable. IMHO, it's simply supply and demand. The demand for club volleyball is really high right now and clubs have no trouble finding families willing and able to pay high fees, so the fees keep going up. Not a great situation for families hoping to get their DD onto a team.

If you're paying anywhere near $5,000 or more for any club not named Paramount or Metro, you are wasting money and throwing it down the drain.
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