A Charlotte parent defines club soccer.....tongue-in-cheek
It could happen . . . . .
Parent: I'd like to sign my child up for soccer, but keeping the cost down is important.
Club: OK, what level? Recreation, Challenge or Classic?
Parent: Well, they've done pretty well in the neighborhood games, I guess we'll see how they can do in Recreation.
Club: Here's the costs and uniforms for Rec, have you ever coached a team before? We're really short on qualified volunteers.
Parent: Oh Gosh! I was really hoping she could get some better training and a more competetive environment. And those uniforms look . . . . cheap. What else is there?
Club: Well challenge is the next level, we offer a paid trainer one night a week but we could still use some parent-coaches who have playing experience. Oh, and here's the challenge uniform.
Parent: Oh, that's a nicer shirt for sure. I'll have to get back to you on the coaching. I've never taken any courses.
Club: That's OK, we offer F and E courses several times a year at no cost to you, since we really need coaches. Now, Challenge does cost a little more than Rec.
Parent: WOW! That's like 6 times the cost! What do you get for the money?
Club: The state fees are higher, we pay more for the referees, the uniforms cost more, we have to card the players, the fields have to be a certain level field and the club supplements the paid trainer's fee, to keep the overall cost down and to ensure them a reasonable income. These kids work a lot of hours.
Parent: Kids? Where do they come from?
Club: Many come from a local college, but othersare alumnae of our club who have come back to "give back to their club".
Parent: Doesn't sound very giving, but OK. What else is involved?
Club: Challenge teams play 8 to 10 games each season and are expected to play in two tournaments in the fall and two in the spring, including the club's mega-invitational.
Parent: How competetive is challenge? I mean, with a paid trainer, I'd guess this is pretty good soccer.
Club: Challenge is not as competitive as our highest level, Classic. It's still somewhat developmental with less emphasis on winning versus skill development.
Parent: Well, she's pretty competitive, even been scouted by some college coach that goes to our church when she was playing pickup one Wednesday night. He saw her score 6 goals against some 8th graders.
Club: Sounds like Classic may be just the ticket. Here's the costs and uniforms for Classic, mind you, it's a bit more than Challenge.
Parent: *choking* It's 3 times as much!
Club: Well, you get so much more!
Parent: These uniforms ARE kind of sweet, is that that new breathe-free material?
Club: Yes, it takes moisture away AND takes 2/10ths of a second off your 40yd time.
Parent: Now we're talking, so what else do we get for the fees?
Club: Again, Classic state fees are a bit higher, then you get specialized training, speed and agility, goalkeeper & striker, slide-tackle school, dive training and advanced histrionics. We have DOCs, EDs, AGCs for every age for both boys and girls, so the overhead is a little higher.
Parent: Are the coaches qualified?
Club: Of course, these are the best coaches you can get. All with state and national licenses, all played college, many played pro and semi-pro, and several have really cool accents.
Parent: Wow, that sounds great. Anything else?
Club: Well, we offer 3 evaluations a year, college and career advice, full sideline medical, dietary advice and access to a local fitness facility with state-of-the-art equipment.
Parent: How many games do they play?
Club: Classic is expected to play 3 to 4 tournaments, several out-of-state each seasons, fall and spring. Their league could give them between 6 and 10 games, fall and spring, depending on how the brackets fall. Then there's State Cup.
Parent: Give me the bottom line, will this help my child get a college scholarship?
Club: Of course, it all depends on how comitted you and your child are, but the chances are very good . . . . . *crosses fingers behind back* Would you like to sign up now?
Parent: Absolutely!
Club: Fine, that's a $75 signup fee, then I need $25 for an initial evaluation, $100 for the uniform, and you may want to consider getting the matching bag and warmup and training jersey. Oh, and our official drink sponsor is Vault, so there's no other drinks allowed on the sidelines at games or training.
Parent: Really? Vault gave her hives one time, but I guess we can get over that with some allergy medication.
Club: very good, here's the team assignment and practice schedule. Be at the field dressed and warmed up 30 minutes prior to each session. You'll need to pick which day of the week is the "off" day, no training, but there is a mandatory film session at the club headquarters.
Parent: Sounds good, now, I need to see my banker about a second mortgage.
Club: Well, we can help there. We have in-house financing available with competitive rate. Some of our members are in banking, you know.
