Interesting comment from sandman about rest of world. Can't speak for the entire world but when my nephew was younger, he played for Hangleton Rovers in England (a small club in Brighton, Sussex). FA Charter club that has been around for about 15 years. Similar setup to most small/mid sized clubs in South Carolina in sense of ages and teams supported (levels of competition) and a suitable yardstick for most of us.
Their fees (converted to dollars) include
$24 registration
$182 operating fees (includes league, training, refs, and matches)
This also includes uniform, christmas trip, and prizes
This is for a full soccer year (fall/winter/spring - 18 league matches or so plus tournaments)
Great article on their home page celebrating 2,000 quid (approx $3,200) as though that was a huge amount in youth soccer over there to support the club for 3 years. I feel that highlights one big difference in environments, a willingness and ability to find good volunteer or low cost coaches and admin and/or directed use of sponsorship funds to reduce participation costs (over increasing spend).
Sorry to get off topic, but interesting insight.
back to topic,
one of our parents called me last week and was pissed their coach had scheduled league games around big football games because it left big gaps this fall for them. Interesting conversation and I can understand both sides. Still you allow coaches to set team schedules (over the league scheduling) and you play soccer around coach's demands and preferences. In the lowcountry of days gone by, LSYSA used to set schedules and we had far fewer double headers and/or Sundays, but I'm sure a few irritated coaches. Pick your poison.
