Quote:

Uncle Buck,
I believe it. While others said that they knew of no Premier players to stop playing because of finances, I think with the economy the way it is, the lower levels might decide the time and expense is not worth the missed other experiences. Let's face it, at least at CESA, it seems that the elevator only goes down. In our age group, the one or two players over the last 5 years that have gone from challenge to premier were dropped back down the next year. When they (premier) want to get better, they look outside the club (my problem is there is no real development going on--in our age group anyways). Oh, and add to the cost, team camp. Now that we are not academy age, team camp is not residential. I glossed over the details because we can't afford to send our son, but it was something over $300 if paid early, over $500 after. For camp that you drop them off at the club fields in the a.m. and pick them up in the p.m.! I guess they have to pay the college coaches well--even though they are getting a free recruiting week.



I know you say that you glossed over the details so here is a little more information on the CESA team camp. It is difficult to find any camp for less than $500. It is also hard to keep up with the financial pace of soccer at the higher level(for some families).

Details:

Free MATCHFIT� Program from The Sport Source valued at $125
Top U.S. college, club and international staff coaches and counselors
Exposure to 14-20 college coaches from all divisions present at each camp
Air-conditioned hotel rooms
Free backpack
Nightly All-Star games
Hotel breakfast, catered lunch and dinner
24-hour hotel supervision
Detailed written evaluation
Agility training sessions


Coaches attending:

Elmar Bolowich: University of North Carolina Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)
Alan Dawson: Old Dominion University Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)
Darren Powell: Elon University Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)
Shawn Docking: Coastal Carolina University Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)
Pete Petersen: Clayton State University Head Coach (NCAA Division 2)
Peter Fuller: University of Mobile Head Coach (NAIA)
Paul McGinlay: Trinity University Head Coach (NCAA Division 3)
Gary Hammil: Wingate University Head Coach (NCAA Division 2)
Justin Terranova: Methodist University Head Coach (NCAA Division 3)
Kerem Daser: Georgia State University Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)
Adrian Bush: Tampa University Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)
Munga Eketebi: Florida International University Head Coach (NCAA Division 1)