Reply to What do you think of the kids on Scholarship?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Club scholarships are need based not merit.

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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.[/quote]

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.  [/quote]

Seriously and should the scholarship kid wear a big S on their shirt just so you poster above PP feel better? You sure have your panties in a twist about this!

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?[/quote][/quote]

It might not be the most charitable reaction, but I have seen this play out in person.  We have an A team filled with kids living pretty far away from the club, with several on scholarship.  That team is very successful, but without those scholarship players probably would not be as successful as it is. But to do that, the club is taking money from every other local parent, to give to out of town kids, and in their minds, deprive their kids the opportunity to play on that A team.  The carping about this is incessant.

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You fundamentally do not understand the point of scholarships. The ability to pay should not be the criteria for playing on a competitive team. If costs can be mitigated and kids can be helped out that is the greater good for soccer in this country. Nobodies y complains about paying the poor kids way with HS sports. Again, if you want exclusivity then join a Country Club and go to a Private School.

I'm so sorry that a poor kid is better at soccer than your kid. Money does not equate merit and you have simply become disillusioned that because you are better off financially than others that somehow makes you better. [/quote]

I agree with you - I was just pointing out what I see in our club and how people react.  To your school comparison - I think it’s off. Your kid doesn’t go hungry to feed a poor kid lunch, but in this scenario, with limited spots, someone on scholarship is likely taking a spot that would be open for others to compete for.  It’s very personal and immediate, in a way that school funding or other government funding is not.  I’ve also seen it with kids that are subs - I’ve heard parents say why are we paying for him, he makes no impact.  [/quote]

Maybe everybody would be better off if clubs spent less time creating travel teams. Spend the money on building up, encouraging and supporting house and recreation leagues. Save travel for later ages and focused on kids who primarily want to play only soccer. Stop paying club staff obscene salaries and participating in silly tournaments. We’ve killed off the inexpensive options because this wave of (I’ve taken one US Soccer class so I’m a professional) people who are just exploiting communities and families. The reality is there are top youth leagues in soccer and if your kid wants to be serious about the sport or play in college they need to be in those leagues. All the other travel soccer nonsense out there is just taking money away from rich people and making the sport inaccessible to poor people. Scholarships are not the really issue. The issues are the clubs and their management who have added unnecessary costs and burdens to entry which require scholarships to be necessary in order to pay for access. [/quote]

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