My boys were previously in VYS and we decided to try-out Cougars Youth Club last season. Practices were in Falls Church which as close as VYS but for the price they charged it was well worth it. The main guys were almost always there and they had young trainers who knew the game and helped the kids a lot. My kids actually learned correct technique and had lots of fun. It was different because they trained all of the kids from the same year together at once. There were about 30-45 kids at each session depending on who showed up. There were no teams so on Saturdays we showed up and teams were made. They say they rather focus on the individual player vs teams at a young age. This was only the second season of "rec" but we are looking forward to the upcoming season. It was only $90 (uniform $40), I guess they are making it affordable to all as they get started but even if they were to increase the cost, my kids are actually learning and it's worth it. They have travel teams but didn't have enough to create a 2008 team, not that my son was ready but maybe next year.

Anonymous wrote:To me the cost for a kid to play VYS House seems reasonable by comparison with the costs for a year of swimming or of tennis or hockey. It only seems outrageous when I compare it with a year of drinking free ice water.

Not when they aren't learning anything from a parent who doesn't know the game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about, stop calling it rec and relying on volunteers, stop calling "advanced training" and charging so much, find a price point that allows you to get people knowledgeable of the game teaching the game and provide that training.

Rec is already at $300-400 per year if the kid plays both fall and spring. Many families already choke on that price point. Not relying on volunteers? Youth sports wouldn't exist without parent volunteers.

I give VYS credit for trying to do something in between. The crossover program was very good and then not so good (one of my kids experienced both). At least VYS acknowledged the need for improvement and is working on it.

+1

To me the cost for a kid to play VYS House seems reasonable by comparison with the costs for a year of swimming or of tennis or hockey. It only seems outrageous when I compare it with a year of drinking free ice water.

Most VYS House refs are older kids from within the club, yes. I doubt they earn much.

And when I say older I mean u16 and above

Instead of Paying refs for a meaningless game why not have the older age group kids become certified refs and the rec team that is the home team have the club kids ref the games. Get volunteer time. Ref certs. Save money

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOW, that's a LOT!!!

What would you suggest $50 per season?

Maybe. How much should it cost a parent to have some other parent that doesn't know crap about soccer to chase some kids around a public school's field for an hour or so. Maybe it should be that much for younger ages at least.

field permits, equipment, referee fees, administrative costs.... there's so much more that goes into building the fee than the coach

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOW, that's a LOT!!!

What would you suggest $50 per season?

Maybe. How much should it cost a parent to have some other parent that doesn't know crap about soccer to chase some kids around a public school's field for an hour or so. Maybe it should be that much for younger ages at least.

Anonymous wrote:WOW, that's a LOT!!!

What would you suggest $50 per season?

WOW, that's a LOT!!!

I pay $150 per kid per Rec season. That's $300 for one kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about, stop calling it rec and relying on volunteers, stop calling "advanced training" and charging so much, find a price point that allows you to get people knowledgeable of the game teaching the game and provide that training.

Rec is already at $300-400 per year if the kid plays both fall and spring. Many families already choke on that price point. Not relying on volunteers? Youth sports wouldn't exist without parent volunteers.

I give VYS credit for trying to do something in between. The crossover program was very good and then not so good (one of my kids experienced both). At least VYS acknowledged the need for improvement and is working on it.

$300-$400 per year? Where are you playing? What clubs are charging that amount with volunteers.

Isn't VYS rec, $185 per season. Two season per year so $370 per year for rec.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about, stop calling it rec and relying on volunteers, stop calling "advanced training" and charging so much, find a price point that allows you to get people knowledgeable of the game teaching the game and provide that training.

Rec is already at $300-400 per year if the kid plays both fall and spring. Many families already choke on that price point. Not relying on volunteers? Youth sports wouldn't exist without parent volunteers.

I give VYS credit for trying to do something in between. The crossover program was very good and then not so good (one of my kids experienced both). At least VYS acknowledged the need for improvement and is working on it.

$300-$400 per year? Where are you playing? What clubs are charging that amount with volunteers.

Anonymous wrote:How about, stop calling it rec and relying on volunteers, stop calling "advanced training" and charging so much, find a price point that allows you to get people knowledgeable of the game teaching the game and provide that training.

Rec is already at $300-400 per year if the kid plays both fall and spring. Many families already choke on that price point. Not relying on volunteers? Youth sports wouldn't exist without parent volunteers.

I give VYS credit for trying to do something in between. The crossover program was very good and then not so good (one of my kids experienced both). At least VYS acknowledged the need for improvement and is working on it.