The parking lot is filled with high end vehicles because it simply cost quite a bit to play elite soccer and dropping thousands of dollars on training and playing elite isn't in reach of everyone. the point of making ODP free is so that more folks with beat up pick ups from construction sites can go to the show. But, I'm with you -- I'm not too keen on subsidizing my Lexus driving neighbor's kid to play elite soccer.
But for the sake of arguement let's assume if you make it free, that those coming to tryouts will increase to 72 (4 teams x 18 player/team), we still only take two teams to subregional, and of course one team to regionals. So for any one gender/age group ...
$85.00 x 72 = $6,120
$235.00 x 36 =$8,460
$750.00 x 18 = $13,500
... for a total of $28,080 for one gender/age group ... or $280,800 for both genders and 5 age groups. Dividing by, say 19,000 players, that be an extra $14.78/player. Currently, recreation players pay $8-$10/year for SCYSA registration.
... in truth not all that bad, but I dont think I could sell that in my house. I'd also argue that we'd then be looking to increase the amount of training we actually give, i.e., why not round 14.78 up to 20, or 25, or ...
... Hmmm, if I had one of the larger clubs with 2000+ recreation players contributing an extra $15/player, or $30,000 total ... I wonder how long it would take them to change allegiances?
... So, in my mind, the current approach has warts on it, but it seems more palitable than the alternative.
... So why not use the Publix money to (partially) foot the bill. Isn't it basically the same arguement. Rather than subsidize the elite player, why not subsidize all players --- why not make SCYSA player registration free ... it costs nothing .. absolutely nothing to join SCYSA.
