Saw a local club that does not include ref or league fees in their standard fee. Odd.
I find it strange so many clubs (and parents) are seeing this inclusion of variable costs as a good thing. We have certainly moved in this direction by inclusion of our league fees in club fees but retain refs dues as separate item at team level for several reasons, and to highlight why parents should accept this minor annoyance as a very good thing and saving most of them money...
Easy example, COVID19 and spring cancellation, no question of refund since these are never paid. I wonder how many parents got spring ref money back
Similar example, one ref doesn't show (or no ref at all) at a game. You are paying for something in advance not likely to be refunded
Games get cancelled due to weather etc. and no chance to make up in season, so are abandoned. You very likely lose money (someone pockets - not ref)
In our case, we charge same for U8-U12 Junior Academy yet ref fees are very different at U10 and U11 (one man vs 3 man crew)
In our case we charge the same regardless of the league your team plays in. Ref fees are very much bound to the league you play in and fees vary widely even within same age group. For example, Piedmont would be more than Open at U13. Another example, CPDL in lowcountry charges way more than CPL for ref fees for our Junior Academy teams.
Logistically most leagues (refs) still accept cash only at the field in advance of kickoff, so does the club distribute cash at start of season or during? Who gets any surplus if one ref doesn't show, etc. and poor old team manager has to track all of this and worry about splitting $15 9 ways.
All in all, we see the convenience all in club pricing on front end, but its a poor option administratively today and (financially) for parents
I'd suggest very few clubs (including CASC) like to give money away, and so will very likely build their fees conservatively to pad for higher end of ref rates, etc.
This will mean the greater population will likely underwrite the minority.