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Post by ga3v3 on Mar 29, 2020 7:11:28 GMT -5
It’s apparent that many around us are still not taking the threat of Covid 19 seriously but I believe it’s time for us parents to stand together and start demanding changes within our clubs for the 20/21 season.
Cost of tuition/year long contracts- this has to end. Clubs should be forced to lower tuition to attract customers and to do away with a year long contract when we don’t even know when our kids can go back to their schools. I’d like to see month to month payments with the option to leave at any time without any penalties.
Travel- there is absolutely no need for us parents or kids to have to stay in hotels and travel abroad for our matches. There are plenty of players at every level in our metro area. If we are at a point where our kids can play this would be the safest and most economical path for the 20/21 season.
It’s still a ways off but we should be having the discussion between families and teams on how we should move forward in May/June. It’s time for parents to take control of our broken soccer community for the well-being of our kids and what we are willing to pay for it
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Post by mistergrinch on Mar 29, 2020 10:18:06 GMT -5
Month to month with no penalty for leaving? what is this a 24-hr fitness place? How about what that does to a TEAM and not just a club? How happy will you be about that when a bunch of parents band together and suddenly little Bobby's team doesn't have enough players to compete.. in the middle of the season?
As for travel, personally I think it's a great experience for the kids. They enjoy it. The parents (who actually get along with other parents) tend to enjoy it. I get that it's a money issue for some, but the only people I've heard complain about travel where it WASN'T a money issue - are usually the parents that nobody else can stand because they're whiners.
There are definitely things that clubs can do better, but making club soccer a drop-in activity would be a freaking disaster.
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Post by soccernoleuk on Mar 29, 2020 11:10:30 GMT -5
I am going to agree that we as parents need to unite. However, I am not going to agree on the topics.
First & foremost, we need to unite in staying home and keeping our kids at home. The more people that continue to go out and essentially treat this as a vacation, the longer this is going to last. The longer this lasts, the longer it will be before we get our kids back playing any organized sports or participating in any organized activities...including school.
As to my thoughts on your topics:
- I think the only way costs are lowered is if demand is lowered and parents specify cost as a reason. Month to month payments is typically an option at many clubs already as most do not make you pay in full up front. As for being able to leave anytime you want, I disagree. I can see allowing players to leave after the fall season, but each month would be a nightmare. There would be no way to guarantee enough players to even field a team, so the entire system could fall apart if this were to be allowed.
- Travel is a family decision IMO. I know of plenty of parents that decline ECNL offers because they don't want to travel or cannot afford the travel. While I agree there are plenty of players here in Metro ATL to provide good competition, there is also a definite benefit to playing teams from other areas. If a parent doesn't want to take on that responsibility, they can decline the offer to be on a team with so much travel.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Mar 29, 2020 11:55:09 GMT -5
I am going to agree that we as parents need to unite. However, I am not going to agree on the topics. First & foremost, we need to unite in staying home and keeping our kids at home. The more people that continue to go out and essentially treat this as a vacation, the longer this is going to last. The longer this lasts, the longer it will be before we get our kids back playing any organized sports or participating in any organized activities...including school. As to my thoughts on your topics: - I think the only way costs are lowered is if demand is lowered and parents specify cost as a reason. Month to month payments is typically an option at many clubs already as most do not make you pay in full up front. As for being able to leave anytime you want, I disagree. I can see allowing players to leave after the fall season, but each month would be a nightmare. There would be no way to guarantee enough players to even field a team, so the entire system could fall apart if this were to be allowed. - Travel is a family decision IMO. I know of plenty of parents that decline ECNL offers because they don't want to travel or cannot afford the travel. While I agree there are plenty of players here in Metro ATL to provide good competition, there is also a definite benefit to playing teams from other areas. If a parent doesn't want to take on that responsibility, they can decline the offer to be on a team with so much travel. The only thing about your comments that I would say I want to clarify my opinion on regarding "stay at home" is that it is seemed appropriate by the CDC and others that being outside is ok as long as you are practicing social distancing. Both of my kids have been out of the house to run both in our neighborhood but also at parks on trails. We have maintained 6 feet away from others with the exception of occasionally passing slower people and even then we pass as far away as possible. Those situations have been rare as well. Both of my kids have also trained one on one with a trainer. Again we have been 6 feet or more away. We are not in a county or city with a stay at home order and are following the recommendations of the CDC. If the park that we run at gets too crowded to follow the rules we won't run there anymore. It is ok though to get outside and be active as long as you follow the rules. |
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Post by soccerloafer on Mar 29, 2020 15:47:36 GMT -5
Month to month with no penalty for leaving? what is this a 24-hr fitness place? How about what that does to a TEAM and not just a club? How happy will you be about that when a bunch of parents band together and suddenly little Bobby's team doesn't have enough players to compete.. in the middle of the season? As for travel, personally I think it's a great experience for the kids. They enjoy it. The parents (who actually get along with other parents) tend to enjoy it. I get that it's a money issue for some, but the only people I've heard complain about travel where it WASN'T a money issue - are usually the parents that nobody else can stand because they're whiners. There are definitely things that clubs can do better, but making club soccer a drop-in activity would be a freaking disaster. Travel is fun the first couple of years. The 4th time you do Thanksgiving in Disney it starts to get a bit old. Then travelling to east bumble the 5th time in a row to play the same team for the same result... We travel so much and there is so much talent in ATL, little reason for it. |
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Post by guest on Mar 29, 2020 16:06:18 GMT -5
Month to month with no penalty for leaving? what is this a 24-hr fitness place? How about what that does to a TEAM and not just a club? How happy will you be about that when a bunch of parents band together and suddenly little Bobby's team doesn't have enough players to compete.. in the middle of the season? As for travel, personally I think it's a great experience for the kids. They enjoy it. The parents (who actually get along with other parents) tend to enjoy it. I get that it's a money issue for some, but the only people I've heard complain about travel where it WASN'T a money issue - are usually the parents that nobody else can stand because they're whiners. There are definitely things that clubs can do better, but making club soccer a drop-in activity would be a freaking disaster. Travel is fun the first couple of years. The 4th time you do Thanksgiving in Disney it starts to get a bit old. Then travelling to east bumble the 5th time in a row to play the same team for the same result... We travel so much and there is so much talent in ATL, little reason for it. maybe the big 5 can peel off and create their own league that cuts down on travel.... |
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Post by soccernoleuk on Mar 29, 2020 16:22:14 GMT -5
I am going to agree that we as parents need to unite. However, I am not going to agree on the topics. First & foremost, we need to unite in staying home and keeping our kids at home. The more people that continue to go out and essentially treat this as a vacation, the longer this is going to last. The longer this lasts, the longer it will be before we get our kids back playing any organized sports or participating in any organized activities...including school. As to my thoughts on your topics: - I think the only way costs are lowered is if demand is lowered and parents specify cost as a reason. Month to month payments is typically an option at many clubs already as most do not make you pay in full up front. As for being able to leave anytime you want, I disagree. I can see allowing players to leave after the fall season, but each month would be a nightmare. There would be no way to guarantee enough players to even field a team, so the entire system could fall apart if this were to be allowed. - Travel is a family decision IMO. I know of plenty of parents that decline ECNL offers because they don't want to travel or cannot afford the travel. While I agree there are plenty of players here in Metro ATL to provide good competition, there is also a definite benefit to playing teams from other areas. If a parent doesn't want to take on that responsibility, they can decline the offer to be on a team with so much travel. The only thing about your comments that I would say I want to clarify my opinion on regarding "stay at home" is that it is seemed appropriate by the CDC and others that being outside is ok as long as you are practicing social distancing. Both of my kids have been out of the house to run both in our neighborhood but also at parks on trails. We have maintained 6 feet away from others with the exception of occasionally passing slower people and even then we pass as far away as possible. Those situations have been rare as well. Both of my kids have also trained one on one with a trainer. Again we have been 6 feet or more away. We are not in a county or city with a stay at home order and are following the recommendations of the CDC. If the park that we run at gets too crowded to follow the rules we won't run there anymore. It is ok though to get outside and be active as long as you follow the rules. I agree getting outside is a good thing (Vitamin D helps the immune system). Following the rules is a key part to what you said. Gwinnett now has a stay at home order, yet my Facebook feed shows a lot of people out and about as if it was a regular Sunday...same with a lot of people in my neighborhood hanging out in large groups in the street. I have heard from people that they have company at their house most days of the week because they want to get the kids together. I have heard of some training facilities (indoor) still operating and even running camps through all of this. This is what I mean by parents uniting to be at home. There is plenty you can do in your own yard or neighborhood, while still practicing social distancing. Unfortunately there are way too many people that see that as an inconvenience and are not following the rules. |
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Post by soccermaxx72 on Mar 29, 2020 17:02:46 GMT -5
Month to month with no penalty for leaving? what is this a 24-hr fitness place? How about what that does to a TEAM and not just a club? How happy will you be about that when a bunch of parents band together and suddenly little Bobby's team doesn't have enough players to compete.. in the middle of the season? As for travel, personally I think it's a great experience for the kids. They enjoy it. The parents (who actually get along with other parents) tend to enjoy it. I get that it's a money issue for some, but the only people I've heard complain about travel where it WASN'T a money issue - are usually the parents that nobody else can stand because they're whiners. There are definitely things that clubs can do better, but making club soccer a drop-in activity would be a freaking disaster. Completely agree me and my fellow parents are bummed to not be traveling with the kids right now |
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Post by mistercalcio on Mar 29, 2020 20:58:41 GMT -5
Month to month with no penalty for leaving? what is this a 24-hr fitness place? How about what that does to a TEAM and not just a club? How happy will you be about that when a bunch of parents band together and suddenly little Bobby's team doesn't have enough players to compete.. in the middle of the season? As for travel, personally I think it's a great experience for the kids. They enjoy it. The parents (who actually get along with other parents) tend to enjoy it. I get that it's a money issue for some, but the only people I've heard complain about travel where it WASN'T a money issue - are usually the parents that nobody else can stand because they're whiners. There are definitely things that clubs can do better, but making club soccer a drop-in activity would be a freaking disaster. I totally agree with this post and feel you could have even mentioned more factors that OP is missing. Good or bad (it sounds like OP is having a “bad” experience), you’re supposed to be joining a CLUB. IMO, with that comes a certain level of commitment and responsibility. It’s the way of the world that sometimes we make decisions that don’t pan out the way we hope, but luckily with youth soccer you can back out and try something or somewhere new within a couple/few months’ time usually. Sure, maybe you’re stuck on the line financially for the rest of your fall/spring season, but that’s a different side of a broader landscape. Not to mention something you should know prior to signing on the dotted line and purchasing a kit. I’m seeing more and more people wanting to jump ship at the first sign of clashing mindsets rather than trying to understand the overall situation OR working with your coach, team, or club to come to some sort of resolution. |
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Post by atlfutboldad on Mar 29, 2020 21:31:41 GMT -5
There are plenty of limited-travel soccer options. Join a C/D or III/IV level team. Your nearest big 5/6 clubs likely have this option.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Mar 30, 2020 13:31:01 GMT -5
Sadly, I don't see this ever occurring. We as parents have our own sometimes selfish goals and some are valid and within bounds while others have a grandiose opinion of little Susie and Johnny being the next Messi and Rapinoe, regardless of what anyone says. Have funds and will transfer. Last fall, many families chose not to go to Disney again for the 50th time in two years, but instead paid their team fees and chillaxed at home. You can only control your kid and what you as a family does. Not trying to be rude but:
- If you don't want to travel, stick to SCCL...
- If cost is an issue, stay away from the big 5/6 or ask for a scholarship...
- Short of physical/mental abuse or safety, you should have to stay at your club for the year...
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Post by allthingsoccer on Mar 31, 2020 13:32:13 GMT -5
I miss traveling as a family! Havent done it in years and can't wait for my U7 to get older/ better so we can do all the crazy tournaments.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 31, 2020 14:07:03 GMT -5
Soccer travel was fun as hell - did we do to many youth tourneys, absolutely, but man did we all have fun - the best was having multiple kids playing in the same tourneys -- that is getting your money's worth and staying busy just watching soccer all day - the good ole days
Parents hanging out together, shooting the shizat with various coaches, drinking some cold ones while the kids had a blast being kids
tourney expenses never really bothered me (other than disney) - if a kid couldn't pay, we figured it out
my favorite were going to Nashville - always enjoyed that town for soccer events
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Post by ultimatedad on Mar 31, 2020 15:38:17 GMT -5
There are plenty of limited-travel soccer options. Join a C/D or III/IV level team. Your nearest big 5/6 clubs likely have this option. You just pointed out what all these leagues have done. Athena A used to be great soccer. Now you have to play at your club's third team in a retaining pond league like the SCCL if you want to play local soccer. And that league even has travel to Alabama and NC. |
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Post by atlfutboldad on Mar 31, 2020 18:08:56 GMT -5
It's SC, and that's likely going away this fall, but you got your point across. AL will still be there, so there is still travel.
USYS NL Piedmont screwed itself by cutting out half the boys teams and adding Florida (thereby limiting spots for Georgia)...it will likely decline just like R3PL did before it...which lead to the creation of SCCL (which most people who have participated in both have said is a better-run league). How dare they have say over the quality of league their teams are in, amirite?
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Post by BubbleDad on Mar 31, 2020 21:54:51 GMT -5
If your player plans to play soccer in college outside of GA, it's essential to travel to different states for exposure.
My daughter has raw soccer talent and plays on her club's U14 SCCLP team. We've already started expressing interest to some different colleges and a lot of their forms are asking what tournaments have you played in? It's listing tournaments like Disney and Jefferson cup as options ... which aren't in Georgia LOL.
Between the club membership cost, kit cost, travel cost and personal training... it's hard on our family's pockets which is why she is reffing to help pay for it.
Every year we get a scholarship and are contracted to pay month to month tell the balance reaches 0. It would be catastrophic if you allow people to leave in the middle of a season without penalty. That's just bad business anyway.
In today's sports climate, most families are dealing with the dilemma of how expensive it is for their child to play any sport. Believe me, I would not be paying all this money for soccer just for my daughter to just have fun. We're striving for her to have fun while pursuing an opportunity to get a scholarship.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Mar 31, 2020 22:23:27 GMT -5
Foxyblanche I luv the life lesson(s) you are teaching your daughter. "Soccer 4 Skills, Skills 4 Life" In today's snowflake, break a nail society, the parents let it be known and show by example that hey lil Johnny, if you don't make the top team at Club A, we'll just ask for a release and saunter on down to Club B. Before long, you've been at 7 clubs by the time your kid is U10. 🙄 I truly wish her all the success in the world. The sacrifices you're making for her to play, teach her responsibility, value of the game, the fun factor, fitness and the possibility of making life-long friends. All with the possibility of hopefully getting a scholarship. Good-luck and Kudos to you and yours 👏👏👏
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Post by mistergrinch on Apr 1, 2020 9:50:10 GMT -5
If your player plans to play soccer in college outside of GA, it's essential to travel to different states for exposure. My daughter has raw soccer talent and plays on her club's U14 SCCLP team. We've already started expressing interest to some different colleges and a lot of their forms are asking what tournaments have you played in? It's listing tournaments like Disney and Jefferson cup as options ... which aren't in Georgia LOL. Between the club membership cost, kit cost, travel cost and personal training... it's hard on our family's pockets which is why she is reffing to help pay for it. Every year we get a scholarship and are contracted to pay month to month tell the balance reaches 0. It would be catastrophic if you allow people to leave in the middle of a season without penalty. That's just bad business anyway. In today's sports climate, most families are dealing with the dilemma of how expensive it is for their child to play any sport. Believe me, I would not be paying all this money for soccer just for my daughter to just have fun. We're striving for her to have fun while pursuing an opportunity to get a scholarship.
Mine refs as well.. had planned to do a lot of it this spring and make some cash. Alas, she got in one or two weekends before it got canceled.
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Post by slickdaddy96 on Apr 1, 2020 12:03:51 GMT -5
If your player plans to play soccer in college outside of GA, it's essential to travel to different states for exposure. My daughter has raw soccer talent and plays on her club's U14 SCCLP team. We've already started expressing interest to some different colleges and a lot of their forms are asking what tournaments have you played in? It's listing tournaments like Disney and Jefferson cup as options ... which aren't in Georgia LOL. Between the club membership cost, kit cost, travel cost and personal training... it's hard on our family's pockets which is why she is reffing to help pay for it. Every year we get a scholarship and are contracted to pay month to month tell the balance reaches 0. It would be catastrophic if you allow people to leave in the middle of a season without penalty. That's just bad business anyway. In today's sports climate, most families are dealing with the dilemma of how expensive it is for their child to play any sport. Believe me, I would not be paying all this money for soccer just for my daughter to just have fun. We're striving for her to have fun while pursuing an opportunity to get a scholarship.
Mine refs as well.. had planned to do a lot of it this spring and make some cash. Alas, she got in one or two weekends before it got canceled.
Could be worse. I finally bit the bullet and certified since my son referees as well. Got 3 uniforms and all the stuff I would need and haven't been able to referee one time yet. So half my certification is going to be for nothing this year. Should have just waited till the summer to get certified. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Apr 1, 2020 12:47:42 GMT -5
Mine refs as well.. had planned to do a lot of it this spring and make some cash. Alas, she got in one or two weekends before it got canceled.
Could be worse. I finally bit the bullet and certified since my son referees as well. Got 3 uniforms and all the stuff I would need and haven't been able to referee one time yet. So half my certification is going to be for nothing this year. Should have just waited till the summer to get certified. Maybe they will decide to waive the fees for next year or decrease them. A lot of people earned nothing this spring or very little. |
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Post by soccerparent02 on Apr 1, 2020 13:15:59 GMT -5
We have done the travel thing for years. Our player is finishing his club career this summer. Our family wouldn't change a thing. We have lots of memories traveling together, great soccer competition and multiple offers to play soccer at the next level. While he chose not to play as the University he chose does not have soccer, he learned so much namely responsibility, teamwork, leadership and the like.
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Post by Shesakeeper on Apr 1, 2020 15:04:19 GMT -5
Same here, daughter was hoping to stash some money away, and reffed one weekend before this all hit.  Could be worse. I finally bit the bullet and certified since my son referees as well. Got 3 uniforms and all the stuff I would need and haven't been able to referee one time yet. So half my certification is going to be for nothing this year. Should have just waited till the summer to get certified. Maybe they will decide to waive the fees for next year or decrease them. A lot of people earned nothing this spring or very little. |
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Post by BubbleDad on Apr 1, 2020 22:47:12 GMT -5
Foxyblanche I luv the life lesson(s) you are teaching your daughter. "Soccer 4 Skills, Skills 4 Life" In today's snowflake, break a nail society, the parents let it be known and show by example that hey lil Johnny, if you don't make the top team at Club A, we'll just ask for a release and saunter on down to Club B. Before long, you've been at 7 clubs by the time your kid is U10. 🙄 I truly wish her all the success in the world. The sacrifices you're making for her to play, teach her responsibility, value of the game, the fun factor, fitness and the possibility of making life-long friends. All with the possibility of hopefully getting a scholarship. Good-luck and Kudos to you and yours 👏👏👏 Thank you! She was able to earn a few hundred dollars before the season was canceled ... I'm just glad we have our health and safety. Take care of yourself everyone! Stay safe, sane and sanitized! @slickdaddy ... I hope you are not still trying to get some kids from your child's team together to scrimmage ... |
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