Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 15:59     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As a point in favor of playing - and obviously only an example - my daughter played high level travel for years. (This was just as the ECNL started). She then played 4 years of college soccer. Along the way she added personal confidence, a bit at a time, as well as self assurance in her own abilities, and a lot of knowledge/experience establishing the benefits of perseverance and effort. Finally, she gained and told advantage of many opportunities to learn and employ leadership skills.

Kids and young adults can gain those experiences and work on those attributes from many other activities besides sports. But, they can also get them from sports.



My son and daughter played soccer from the age of 5 until they turned 12. At that age, my wife and I moved them over to golf and tennis. Daughter is playing tennis at a D1 school and son is playing golf at a D2 school. My wife and I are very happy with our choices because tennis and golf are sports for life with open door to networking and better ROI.


Do you need to be good at either to join the country club?


you need to be able to afford the dues. Even without a membership, the coaching and greens fees to get good enough to play in college will dwarf the cost of travel soccer


I'm speaking as an adult. The point being, the ROI because of networking is accomplished by joining the Country Club not by actually being proficient at either sport. Golf in particular can be picked up at any age and any reasonable athlete can learn the game in short order and not completely embarrass themselves because there are many who play who are in the same boat.

Tennis, not so easy to pick up but lets not act as if country club networking is based on the actual ability but rather the social aspect as well as the self filtering nature of being a member of an expensive club.


Dude, I play golf at Chevy Chase CC and everyone there wants to play with good golfers. I am a former D1 swimmer and I’ve been playing golf for the past ten years and I still embarrass myself with my golf score quite often. Golf is hard. I can tell you from my personal experience is that a lot of business is being done on the golf course. That’s where my company CEO hired the company CFO.
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 13:35     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There’s an article that I read a few years ago that showed a correlation between playing competitive sports and C-Level company executives especially for females. Sports does teach & prepare a person for the corporate world.


That’s disgusting. As if being a C-level executive is the measure of success. You’re such a capitalist.

Ha. I am kidding, figured I’d offer a preemptive strike to some of the common posters on this board. Seriously, your point is very good. Sports breed confidence, discipline, a competitive spirit and teamwork. Great life lessons for kids. The OP should think about the positives and not the time and money. The time and money are sacrifices for your kid. They only get 5-10 years of their life to enjoy and experience sports like this. 10% or less of their life. Let them have it and let yourself enjoy it.



Yuk it up now, while you can, MAGAt. You're not stopping the train that's coming!!!
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 13:09     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:Who else feels like this?

Spent $30k on club, team fees, training alone

Spent 3,000 hours alone on practices and matches

My DC has not made long term friendships on any of the teams

The coaches never seemed to be interested enough

My other kids have had to keep some of their activities to a minimum because of the oldest. I don't blame anyone but myself for this, though.

My DC loves soccer, but he is not good enough to play past high school or maybe D2/D3, but those colleges aren't good academically anyway.

This season DC is on the top team of his club, ECNL-RL though but like I said if he were to make an ECNL team, he would not get much game time. The coach is really interested in my DC as a player as my child now says that after practice and matches he makes comments about child's playing style and what he could improve upon. My DC on this team plays with confidence and attempts 1v1 moves. My DC now is more friendly with other players.

I like that both of us are enjoying the experience right now, but hate that it took so long to finally find a place that was right for him.

I have decided this year will be the last one for him. He will be junior in HS next year and made the HS soccer team last year.

For those of you that have had 4-5 years in travel soccer, what has your experience been like so far? Enjoyed it, or miserably looking at next year and hoping your son will not want to do it?


Foreigner here who arrived here as an adult and now makes a living from those ridiculous fees you’re made to pay:

I can only say two words. DAMN & LOL
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 12:55     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As a point in favor of playing - and obviously only an example - my daughter played high level travel for years. (This was just as the ECNL started). She then played 4 years of college soccer. Along the way she added personal confidence, a bit at a time, as well as self assurance in her own abilities, and a lot of knowledge/experience establishing the benefits of perseverance and effort. Finally, she gained and told advantage of many opportunities to learn and employ leadership skills.

Kids and young adults can gain those experiences and work on those attributes from many other activities besides sports. But, they can also get them from sports.



My son and daughter played soccer from the age of 5 until they turned 12. At that age, my wife and I moved them over to golf and tennis. Daughter is playing tennis at a D1 school and son is playing golf at a D2 school. My wife and I are very happy with our choices because tennis and golf are sports for life with open door to networking and better ROI.


Do you need to be good at either to join the country club?


you need to be able to afford the dues. Even without a membership, the coaching and greens fees to get good enough to play in college will dwarf the cost of travel soccer


I'm speaking as an adult. The point being, the ROI because of networking is accomplished by joining the Country Club not by actually being proficient at either sport. Golf in particular can be picked up at any age and any reasonable athlete can learn the game in short order and not completely embarrass themselves because there are many who play who are in the same boat.

Tennis, not so easy to pick up but lets not act as if country club networking is based on the actual ability but rather the social aspect as well as the self filtering nature of being a member of an expensive club.

Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 12:50     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As a point in favor of playing - and obviously only an example - my daughter played high level travel for years. (This was just as the ECNL started). She then played 4 years of college soccer. Along the way she added personal confidence, a bit at a time, as well as self assurance in her own abilities, and a lot of knowledge/experience establishing the benefits of perseverance and effort. Finally, she gained and told advantage of many opportunities to learn and employ leadership skills.

Kids and young adults can gain those experiences and work on those attributes from many other activities besides sports. But, they can also get them from sports.



My son and daughter played soccer from the age of 5 until they turned 12. At that age, my wife and I moved them over to golf and tennis. Daughter is playing tennis at a D1 school and son is playing golf at a D2 school. My wife and I are very happy with our choices because tennis and golf are sports for life with open door to networking and better ROI.


Do you need to be good at either to join the country club?


you need to be able to afford the dues. Even without a membership, the coaching and greens fees to get good enough to play in college will dwarf the cost of travel soccer
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 12:46     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As a point in favor of playing - and obviously only an example - my daughter played high level travel for years. (This was just as the ECNL started). She then played 4 years of college soccer. Along the way she added personal confidence, a bit at a time, as well as self assurance in her own abilities, and a lot of knowledge/experience establishing the benefits of perseverance and effort. Finally, she gained and told advantage of many opportunities to learn and employ leadership skills.

Kids and young adults can gain those experiences and work on those attributes from many other activities besides sports. But, they can also get them from sports.



My son and daughter played soccer from the age of 5 until they turned 12. At that age, my wife and I moved them over to golf and tennis. Daughter is playing tennis at a D1 school and son is playing golf at a D2 school. My wife and I are very happy with our choices because tennis and golf are sports for life with open door to networking and better ROI.


Do you need to be good at either to join the country club?
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 12:26     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:As a point in favor of playing - and obviously only an example - my daughter played high level travel for years. (This was just as the ECNL started). She then played 4 years of college soccer. Along the way she added personal confidence, a bit at a time, as well as self assurance in her own abilities, and a lot of knowledge/experience establishing the benefits of perseverance and effort. Finally, she gained and told advantage of many opportunities to learn and employ leadership skills.

Kids and young adults can gain those experiences and work on those attributes from many other activities besides sports. But, they can also get them from sports.



My son and daughter played soccer from the age of 5 until they turned 12. At that age, my wife and I moved them over to golf and tennis. Daughter is playing tennis at a D1 school and son is playing golf at a D2 school. My wife and I are very happy with our choices because tennis and golf are sports for life with open door to networking and better ROI.
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 11:28     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
As a point in favor of playing - and obviously only an example - my daughter played high level travel for years. (This was just as the ECNL started). She then played 4 years of college soccer. Along the way she added personal confidence, a bit at a time, as well as self assurance in her own abilities, and a lot of knowledge/experience establishing the benefits of perseverance and effort. Finally, she gained and told advantage of many opportunities to learn and employ leadership skills.

Kids and young adults can gain those experiences and work on those attributes from many other activities besides sports. But, they can also get them from sports.

Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 11:06     Subject: Re:9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:This thread has been really helpful. We haven't reached the point where we have switched from red to travel. We are doing a "mini" travel league this year, just into the surrounding DMV area. I have one concern that has been lightly touched on- but interested in the perspective of others. When I was growing up, travel leagues were really just starting (at least in my area). That meant, for the most part, you could still be a Star athlete at the High School level without having ever played travel. BUT.. for the few kids who did do travel (this was especially prevalent in softball at that time), you could really tell the difference between the travel players and the rec players. The travel players all made Varsity at a young age, were starters, and played a lot. Rec players could still make the team- and maybe even start- but it wasn't a guarantee. But there were a few who could still be top players. Travel players were the ones hoping to play in college.

I guess, my worry for my kids, is that Travel leagues are so prevalent, especially in this area, that it feels like if we do not do them my kids will have ZERO chance of even playing High School sports. This conversation has been a lot of about College level, and D1 verses D2 & 3, etc... but what about High School. I didn't play anything in college, but in High School all my friends were in at least one sport. I would like to know my kids will at least have the opportunity to play... not just be a bench warmer.

And what about multiple sports? Is that no longer a thing in High School? Do we have to commit to one sport, year round by Middle School and hope they stay interested in that one sport throughout their childhood? Obviously gifted athletes will be able to make a jump. But what about your average kid?


Playing at the travel level is generally a pre requisite for HS Soccer. That said, not all High School's are the same and there is a tremendous variance between travel leagues and travel teams within the same club. Kids from all levels of travel soccer make HS soccer teams. There is a lot of disagreement on these boards about he quality of HS soccer but most tend to agree that it is more for social aspects than it is terribly competitive. Overall HS soccer is a lower quality of soccer played than most travel soccer. You likely will not need to shell out huge money at a travel level if your child wishes to play HS soccer. It can be a challenge to make a team as a freshman or sophomore but any decent travel team should get your child on a HS team.

Travel is generally a 10 month commitment with a league shut down period to accommodate for the high school season. It can be challenging to play multiple HS sports and travel sports overall. Travel sports, regardless of the sport have similar levels of commitment. I am generally pro travel sports but I will admit that they tend to ruin the opportunities for multiple sport athletes at both the travel and HS level to branch out. While specialization does have its place I think kids do lose something by being forced to choose a sport to focus on.
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 10:51     Subject: Re:9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:I guess, my worry for my kids, is that Travel leagues are so prevalent, especially in this area, that it feels like if we do not do them my kids will have ZERO chance of even playing High School sports. This conversation has been a lot of about College level, and D1 verses D2 & 3, etc... but what about High School. I didn't play anything in college, but in High School all my friends were in at least one sport. I would like to know my kids will at least have the opportunity to play... not just be a bench warmer.

And what about multiple sports? Is that no longer a thing in High School? Do we have to commit to one sport, year round by Middle School and hope they stay interested in that one sport throughout their childhood? Obviously gifted athletes will be able to make a jump. But what about your average kid?


It's a valid concern. All I can tell you from personal experience is that my oldest son (now 14), who played 3 years of travel soccer (age 8-9 and age 11) and played rec soccer the rest of the time (i.e., rec from 5-7, rec at 10, and rec from 12-14) made his high school JV soccer team. Before high school, his soccer was at a "high" level for rec, but he would have been average at best in travel soccer (after taking a break from travel at age 10, when he returned to travel soccer at age 11 he was placed on the 3rd level travel team for his age group, so he definitely was never a top travel player).

As far as I know, in high school soccer (and every other sport) is still only 1 season (unlike rec and travel club soccer, which play in the fall and spring). However, since my son always played soccer (rec or travel) both in the spring and fall, he isn't really good at any other spring sport (i.e., baseball, lacross) so he'll probably just run track in the spring to stay fit. If you think your kids want to play baseball in high school, make sure they are playing at least a rec league when they're younger.
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 10:47     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There’s an article that I read a few years ago that showed a correlation between playing competitive sports and C-Level company executives especially for females. Sports does teach & prepare a person for the corporate world.


That’s disgusting. As if being a C-level executive is the measure of success. You’re such a capitalist.

Ha. I am kidding, but figured I’d offer a preemptive strike to some of the common posters on this board. Seriously, your point is very good. Sports breed confidence, discipline, a competitive spirit and teamwork. Great life lessons for kids. The OP should think about the positives and not the time and money. The time and money are sacrifices for your kid. They only get 5-10 years of their life to enjoy and experience sports like this. 10% or less of their life. Let them have it and let yourself enjoy it.


I’m the PP. Besides breeding confidence, hard work, time management, accountability, etc., sports get a player to have better/healthy diets and exercise.

In addition, it allows a lot of family time/bonding, teaching moments and priceless memories. Soccer has definitely allowed me to connect & bond with my U14 DD so much more. Again, regret & disappointment is based upon what expectation you set.


You're both missing the point. No one is arguing against playing sports. Sports are great. The issue at hand is travel sports teams, in particular, and the time and money spent in that venture as opposed to a lower tier team. There are hundreds of soccer teams in this region and not all of them require fees and time commitment at the same level of ECNL/travel while still offering kids the experience to compete and play with friends. It's not travel or nothing. There's a ton in between which people on this board seem to dismiss.


Indeed. But the flip side of this is that not every family whose kids play travel sports is on a quest for D1 scholarships/professional glory.

I have multiple kids who play soccer at various levels. One of them eats, sleeps and breathes it, so unless we cobbled together multiple rec teams with the scheduling headache that would entail, travel is what provides the amount of soccer this kid lives for. Other kids are happy with less, which is also fine. We stick with the clubs closest to home. It all works.


We all know this, the OP wants to pull their kid from travel soccer in his Junior year. This isn't about college soccer, this is about telling their kid that he can't play travel soccer regardless of level. The parent clearly believes that if there is no end game beyond HS then why bother continue to play the sport through HS.


Yes, which is unfortunate for OP's kid. And highlights the problem when kids and parents don't have the same expectations for this stuff.
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 10:43     Subject: Re:9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
This thread has been really helpful. We haven't reached the point where we have switched from red to travel. We are doing a "mini" travel league this year, just into the surrounding DMV area. I have one concern that has been lightly touched on- but interested in the perspective of others. When I was growing up, travel leagues were really just starting (at least in my area). That meant, for the most part, you could still be a Star athlete at the High School level without having ever played travel. BUT.. for the few kids who did do travel (this was especially prevalent in softball at that time), you could really tell the difference between the travel players and the rec players. The travel players all made Varsity at a young age, were starters, and played a lot. Rec players could still make the team- and maybe even start- but it wasn't a guarantee. But there were a few who could still be top players. Travel players were the ones hoping to play in college.

I guess, my worry for my kids, is that Travel leagues are so prevalent, especially in this area, that it feels like if we do not do them my kids will have ZERO chance of even playing High School sports. This conversation has been a lot of about College level, and D1 verses D2 & 3, etc... but what about High School. I didn't play anything in college, but in High School all my friends were in at least one sport. I would like to know my kids will at least have the opportunity to play... not just be a bench warmer.

And what about multiple sports? Is that no longer a thing in High School? Do we have to commit to one sport, year round by Middle School and hope they stay interested in that one sport throughout their childhood? Obviously gifted athletes will be able to make a jump. But what about your average kid?
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 10:42     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:I think you are overthinkiing things. I ask my son what he wants to do, accept the spot or not. He is old enough to make a decision about what he wants to do. If he wants to put his time and energy towards travel soccer, great. We have only one kid and earn decent salaries, so why not? If he wanted to drop it and do something else, that would be ok too.


This "My other kids have had to keep some of their activities to a minimum because of the oldest. I don't blame anyone but myself for this, though."
I know you blame yourself for this, but why would you slight your other kids so the oldest can fulfill his desire to play soccer?
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 10:33     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There’s an article that I read a few years ago that showed a correlation between playing competitive sports and C-Level company executives especially for females. Sports does teach & prepare a person for the corporate world.


That’s disgusting. As if being a C-level executive is the measure of success. You’re such a capitalist.

Ha. I am kidding, but figured I’d offer a preemptive strike to some of the common posters on this board. Seriously, your point is very good. Sports breed confidence, discipline, a competitive spirit and teamwork. Great life lessons for kids. The OP should think about the positives and not the time and money. The time and money are sacrifices for your kid. They only get 5-10 years of their life to enjoy and experience sports like this. 10% or less of their life. Let them have it and let yourself enjoy it.


I’m the PP. Besides breeding confidence, hard work, time management, accountability, etc., sports get a player to have better/healthy diets and exercise.

In addition, it allows a lot of family time/bonding, teaching moments and priceless memories. Soccer has definitely allowed me to connect & bond with my U14 DD so much more. Again, regret & disappointment is based upon what expectation you set.


You're both missing the point. No one is arguing against playing sports. Sports are great. The issue at hand is travel sports teams, in particular, and the time and money spent in that venture as opposed to a lower tier team. There are hundreds of soccer teams in this region and not all of them require fees and time commitment at the same level of ECNL/travel while still offering kids the experience to compete and play with friends. It's not travel or nothing. There's a ton in between which people on this board seem to dismiss.


Indeed. But the flip side of this is that not every family whose kids play travel sports is on a quest for D1 scholarships/professional glory.

I have multiple kids who play soccer at various levels. One of them eats, sleeps and breathes it, so unless we cobbled together multiple rec teams with the scheduling headache that would entail, travel is what provides the amount of soccer this kid lives for. Other kids are happy with less, which is also fine. We stick with the clubs closest to home. It all works.


We all know this, the OP wants to pull their kid from travel soccer in his Junior year. This isn't about college soccer, this is about telling their kid that he can't play travel soccer regardless of level. The parent clearly believes that if there is no end game beyond HS then why bother continue to play the sport through HS.
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2021 10:26     Subject: 9 years of travel socce for DC, I regret it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There’s an article that I read a few years ago that showed a correlation between playing competitive sports and C-Level company executives especially for females. Sports does teach & prepare a person for the corporate world.


That’s disgusting. As if being a C-level executive is the measure of success. You’re such a capitalist.

Ha. I am kidding, but figured I’d offer a preemptive strike to some of the common posters on this board. Seriously, your point is very good. Sports breed confidence, discipline, a competitive spirit and teamwork. Great life lessons for kids. The OP should think about the positives and not the time and money. The time and money are sacrifices for your kid. They only get 5-10 years of their life to enjoy and experience sports like this. 10% or less of their life. Let them have it and let yourself enjoy it.


I’m the PP. Besides breeding confidence, hard work, time management, accountability, etc., sports get a player to have better/healthy diets and exercise.

In addition, it allows a lot of family time/bonding, teaching moments and priceless memories. Soccer has definitely allowed me to connect & bond with my U14 DD so much more. Again, regret & disappointment is based upon what expectation you set.


You're both missing the point. No one is arguing against playing sports. Sports are great. The issue at hand is travel sports teams, in particular, and the time and money spent in that venture as opposed to a lower tier team. There are hundreds of soccer teams in this region and not all of them require fees and time commitment at the same level of ECNL/travel while still offering kids the experience to compete and play with friends. It's not travel or nothing. There's a ton in between which people on this board seem to dismiss.


Indeed. But the flip side of this is that not every family whose kids play travel sports is on a quest for D1 scholarships/professional glory.

I have multiple kids who play soccer at various levels. One of them eats, sleeps and breathes it, so unless we cobbled together multiple rec teams with the scheduling headache that would entail, travel is what provides the amount of soccer this kid lives for. Other kids are happy with less, which is also fine. We stick with the clubs closest to home. It all works.