You're right; I was just responding to the question of someone having to play "at a lower level" due to economics; if that's the issue, then there is at least a possible path available to reach the higher levels with performance and effort. You're right, though, that the issue for many is being able to get in at the entry level at all. I know a lot of young people who love soccer and would enjoy the chance to play and hone their skills outside of high school season, but the financial aspect of playing club even at the Classic level is a consideration that prevents many of them from joining in.
There are some organizations who do try to provide opportunities for players at the lowest cost practical; I know several that offer club/coaching fees of well under half of the $930 average quoted above for U15-U18. I know outfits like Cainhoy are trying to reach as many younger players as possible at the lowest cost to get them involved in the sport; some, (GCU, for example, I believe) have found sponsors to provide uniforms to the club at no cost to the players. In some, the club can offer scholarships taken out of the club portion; in others, coaches have the option to waive portions or all of the coaching fee for those needing and deserving the assistance.
Still, it does cost a certain amount of money to put a club on the field no matter what; league fees, performance bonds, insurance, referee fees, administrative costs, transportation, uniforms, game and practice equipment--all of these things have to come out of SOMEBODY'S budget. It takes a minimum of $850 ($500 bond fee, $350 registration fee) just to REGISTER a Classic team with SCYSA. For a Challenge team, it's $1050 ($500 bond, $550 registration). It also takes a reliable administrative structure of people who can handle the books, the money, the registration process, the insurance, communication and compliance with SCYSA...all of this has to happen before the first coach rolls out the first ball of the season.
It seems that sponsorships are the only way to take the pressure off of players and parents. Several people have mentioned the possibility of higher-level clubs that are making a good profit sponsoring "farm teams" to get young athletes involved, develop them, and identify the top players to move up through the system. At any rate, while the individual clubs and coaches can do things to cut the costs to players and parents as much as possible, it's going to take a broader system in place to bring quality soccer at a price EVERYONE can afford--possibly a redistribution of earnings from the higher-profit areas as an investment in growing the sport.
