Perhaps if a player proves his/her talent, potential and dedication playing at a lower and more economical level for a while, that might be the avenue through which he/she could attract the attention of a club and get some financial assistance to play at a higher level. Not so different from a student spending a year or two at a small two-year college and earning a scholarship to a major university.
I know a young lady who is playing on a Challenge team this year who worked her tail off at the Classic level to prove herself and earn the skill and recognition to get there...we'll miss her on our team this year but I'm very proud of her progress and accomplishment in moving up! Progressive steps can often get you where you want to go where trying to leap right in from the get-go can leave you hanging.
