Each year when parents are evaluating where their child will play soccer next season, one variable that is always measured is the cost and value of the program. Each club before tryouts lists a “club fee” for each age group. The fee is often different between age groups based on the number of players on each team, league fees, tournament fees, and the coach’s fees. As parents review these fees when comparing different clubs, it is important to remember that they are looking at are just the “club fee” and not the real cost of playing club soccer (in terms of dollars and cents). It is important parents research further to really get an understanding of what is included in that fee and what is not. Only then, will a parent know the true “value” of what is being paid for upfront, and what additional costs are looming in the future.
Travel
For your child’s age group, you should find out where most of their league games and tournaments will be played. As teams get older, even league games require hours of travel and nights in hotels, which can quickly add up the costs for the season. In addition, depending on the level of competition of the team, tournaments can require plane tickets. But even younger teams are traveling more and doing more tournaments. Depending on the number of tournaments or out-of-town games, the cost of the season can significantly increase for each family.
Although these costs are common, knowing before the season begins will help you plan accordingly, or decide if the cost of being with that team is more than you are comfortable spending. From a family and financial standpoint, you may not want to commit all that time traveling or the extra money on hotels, gas, and food, or you understand that is part of the experience and you budget accordingly.
Uniforms
They have to be purchased so this is an unavoidable extra cost for each family. All clubs have different policies on the number of uniforms, shorts, socks that need to be purchased, and if additional items like bags, warm ups, training shirts, and soccer balls are additional costs as well. Some of these items may be included in your fees, while other items are required to be purchased or just optional. Again, having an idea of what the uniform will cost will help you plan ahead. Often, this is the first payments that needs to be made after making a commitment to join the team.
Winter or Supplemental Training
If you live in an area that requires indoor training through the winter, there could be an additional fee for renting space for practice in the winter months when teams cannot train outside. Although some clubs may include this already in their fees, other clubs may not and will charge each player additionally for these sessions. Depending on where you live, if your club has its own facility or not, this extra cost can be harder to plan for, as it usually fluctuates based on the rental rates of a facility and increasing indoor soccer league fees.
There may be also supplemental training during this time of year or throughout the year that is an additional cost. This could be skill training or more specialized training for players in particular positions (Goalkeeper). These programs may be mandatory or optional based on how they are implemented by the club. Again, this is a harder cost to plan for unless it is discussed before the start of the soccer season.
Either way, this is something important to ask about when researching a club. These are some of those “hidden” or “unknown” fees that most parents are not aware of until the time comes to pay them, or these are additional programs already included in your fees for your child that provide more value for your dollar and a better experience.
Additional Coach Fees - Tournament Fees
It is policy with some clubs that parents cover the cost for the travel expenses of the coach for tournaments. This would include the cost of the coach’s meals, hotel, and gas. Although usually a smaller expense, depending on number of tournaments and distance of each, it is another cost per family.
Tournaments may be included in your club’s fees paid throughout the year. This usually includes a certain number of tournaments. But if your child’s team does an extra tournament, or tournaments are not included in your fees, this will be another expense that is divided up among the families of each team. Again, when divided up, it is not a large sum of money, but these smaller expenses can start to add up.
Child’s Equipment
Although a necessary expense, the cost of cleats and other equipment is starting to become a little out of hand. If you have a young child who is growing out of shoes each month, the cost of cleats throughout the year will be a little painful. That on top of the fact some of the more expensive shoes tend to not last very long anyway, you will be spending some money on cleats throughout the year. To save money here, do not over pay for young player's soccer cleats. The more expensive cleats serve little benefit to the players in terms of helping them play. This is an area you can save money by not over paying.
Again, if your child plays in an area that requires indoor soccer through the winter months, than there are indoor soccer shoes (flats) to purchase as well. Although many indoor facilities have instilled turf that players can use regular cleats on, so you may not need those types of shoes.
Then of course, over the year, your child will most likely lose a soccer ball, shin guards, warm up pants, training shirt, jersey, and probably one of those items a second or third time. When the items are lost, they need to be replaced. No matter how responsible your child may be, I would plan on buying more than one of some, or all, of their soccer equipment items.
The Real Cost & Value
As you can see, and probably already know, if you really look at the real cost of playing club soccer, it is much higher than the club fees that are listed at the beginning of the season. There are many extra costs, some avoidable, others not, that parents will need to pay over the course of the season. The key is finding out what those extra costs are before committing to the team, so you can make the best decision possible about if A) this is what you are comfortable paying for your child’s youth soccer experience and B) that you feel there is good value in the money you will spend.
Again, look at what is included in that initial fee. Some clubs will include indoor training and supplemental training within their fees giving more value to what you are already paying. Others will charge extra. Some clubs will include tournaments, others do not include it and charge it later. When comparison shopping, just like any other consumer, you could ask what you are getting for your money and ask for specifics. For example, how many practices each week will your child get with his coach? This will help you determine if you are getting the value that you want for the price you are being asked to pay.
In the end, more than anything, you want your child to have a great experience playing the game he loves. But, part of making sure that happens, is knowing what type of experience that is and how much it is going to cost. Find the soccer club that offers the experience that your child wants at a cost that makes sense and gives you the most value for your money.
No comments:
Post a Comment