My kids play club soccer (U16 and U14). Their current club is reasonable -- it's about $400 total for the full year (fall season, winter season, spring season). My oldest is looking at new (more serious) clubs and they run closer to $2000-3000 for the season, which seems like WAAAAAYYY too much. They both need a new pair of cleats every year, which run about $100-150.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
DS did 2 years of club soccer. He dropped out 2 months before his last season ended but we didn't get any of our money back. Annually it was $3,600 for 9 months, roughly $300-400 for uniforms.
What are these uniforms made of?! This whole thread is blowing my mind - the idea of having to pay for school sports teams, the sheer cost of it all - but I think this is the piece of information that has officially killed me.
We needed uniforms, one for home games, one for away games, 3 for practices. It was almost $1,000. Nothing special. Just another way to make money and you’re helpless bc it’s mandatory. I absolutely hate what kids sports has been turned into by weird adults who think all their little precious-es are gonna be elite pros.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
My kids play club soccer (U16 and U14). Their current club is reasonable -- it's about $400 total for the full year (fall season, winter season, spring season). My oldest is looking at new (more serious) clubs and they run closer to $2000-3000 for the season, which seems like WAAAAAYYY too much. They both need a new pair of cleats every year, which run about $100-150.
The 2-3k range is what it is here in FL for a 10 month season. That may or may not include tournament fees, depending on your club. And the uniforms are quite expensive also and can add on many many hundreds. So many hidden costs, which don’t even touch on your travel costs.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
but we just added little league and even for 6 year olds, he has 90 minute practices 2x a week, weekly SATURDAY AFTERNOON games, I have to buy a bat, mitt, cleats, multiple pants, socks and a belt. The fee was not a lot, but this just seems too young, lol. I was not prepared!
We're here too! Thankfully got a hand me down bat, and the socks/jersey were included, but we had to get the rest. It was a bit more than I thought we'd be spending.
Underarmour has some pretty cheap little kid baseball pants at Dicks Sporting Goods.
And yes, Saturdays through early June are now ruined I miss tball.
I fortunately got a pair of pants, mitt and bat as hand me downs. I ordered cleats from amazon and am using the socks from soccer. I just need another pair of pants I think, but we do not have a dicks near us!
What are these uniforms made of?! This whole thread is blowing my mind - the idea of having to pay for school sports teams, the sheer cost of it all - but I think this is the piece of information that has officially killed me.
We needed uniforms, one for home games, one for away games, 3 for practices. It was almost $1,000. Nothing special. Just another way to make money and you’re helpless bc it’s mandatory. I absolutely hate what kids sports has been turned into by weird adults who think all their little precious-es are gonna be elite pros.
my H and I have the youngest kid in our friend group by a good chunk of years and seeing what they are going through ALREADY in MIDDLE SCHOOL is insane. We have the advantage of seeing how insane it is before getting really into it and keep saying "our kid is good, but he better peak young so we never have to deal with even club level shit when he gets older!" lol.
The number of friends and associates we have that have HS kids literally in schools to become pro athletes (mostly hockey and skiing) is astounding.
My kids play club soccer (U16 and U14). Their current club is reasonable -- it's about $400 total for the full year (fall season, winter season, spring season). My oldest is looking at new (more serious) clubs and they run closer to $2000-3000 for the season, which seems like WAAAAAYYY too much. They both need a new pair of cleats every year, which run about $100-150.
The 2-3k range is what it is here in FL for a 10 month season. That may or may not include tournament fees, depending on your club. And the uniforms are quite expensive also and can add on many many hundreds. So many hidden costs, which don’t even touch on your travel costs.
I know. I just hate it. We held off on club sports for so long because I hate everything about them -- the inequity, the time, the intensity, the parents, lol. But my kids really wanted to play (and they are very good) and I hate it on so many levels.
I wish clubs had the balls to tell parents that their kids aren't going to go pro, they aren't going to play in college. It's a money grab and we all know it and we don't have to do it. We will likely turn down the more intense club because it's not something I think I can support. DD1, fortunately, understands this and is happy to play on her high school team and call it a day from travel this year if we decide we won't go this route.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
my kid is in first grade and just today I got slapped with the reality of youth sports.
He does soccer through the rec which is like $30 for the fall. 1x week practice. no equipment required, really laid back. Ski team in winter which we luck out with due to H's job, so that is free. 4 hours a week. equipment is also free. track team through school, free, twice weekly practices right after school. sneakers once a year is the only equipment.
but we just added little league and even for 6 year olds, he has 90 minute practices 2x a week, weekly SATURDAY AFTERNOON games, I have to buy a bat, mitt, cleats, multiple pants, socks and a belt. The fee was not a lot, but this just seems too young, lol. I was not prepared!
Go read my post for a cautionary tale! Baseball is EXPENSIVE.
The online store baseballsavings.com usually has good deals and sales. I just bought DS some Nike Vapor baseball pants for $26 each, and the same ones are currently on the Nike website for $40 each.
I'm trying really hard to not do the math. Because club soccer fees plus equipment (kid outgrows goalie gloves and cleats like it's his job), rec baseball (just got a new mitt and will need more new cleats next month), and rec basketball (which is the cheapest of the three)...yeesh. Thankfully for soccer our club isn't a super serious (read-expensive) one that does a lot of out of town travel, which helps.
What are these uniforms made of?! This whole thread is blowing my mind - the idea of having to pay for school sports teams, the sheer cost of it all - but I think this is the piece of information that has officially killed me.
We needed uniforms, one for home games, one for away games, 3 for practices. It was almost $1,000. Nothing special. Just another way to make money and you’re helpless bc it’s mandatory. I absolutely hate what kids sports has been turned into by weird adults who think all their little precious-es are gonna be elite pros.
That is WILD and so maddening. Soccer uniforms just need to be some dry-fit fabric vaguely in the child's size with a number and team name printed on them, nothing about any of that should be expensive!
Several kids who play club soccer did not make the school teams. Making the school teams seems to be not that competitive for small private schools, but it is very difficult for larger public schools. Rec in our town ends at age 12. So we can either travel to another town to play more rec or do club soccer.
If the club soccer team is saying they will go pro then that is very misleading. But they are providing the team/ coaching and should be paid at least for that part no different then paying for a gym class, dance class, horseback riding etc. But let's be very clear that this a for profit business.
DD1 played rec travel basketball for a couple of years - that was about $500 for registration and uniforms. The season went from early Oct to early March.
Then she played AAU basketball for one year. That season went from early March until June, cost $1000 plus $20 per day for each family member to attend the games. And the uniform was another $100. Thankfully for my wallet, she hated it and never wanted to do it again.
She also plays rec softball which is $150 all in. I got her a new glove last year for about $100. My dad gave her a really nice bat that he'd bought for himself but didn't work for him (He's 77 and plays softball 5 days a week from March until late November - he's my hero). Otherwise I really tried hard not to spend a ton on her bats because she really doesn't love it enough to be super serious about it.
DD2 plays all the soccer all the time. Rec for the fall is $150 with uniform included, goes for 8 weeks. Spring rec is more competitive, costs $350, training starts with indoor practices in January (every other week), truly starts in March, goes until Memorial day. The uniform was expensive - probably about $200 for 2 shirts (2 colors, home and away), 1 pair shorts, a warm-up top, and socks. But they use the same uniform for 2 years, so if you buy it big enough, you can save a little $$.
DD2 also plays club soccer, which pretty much goes year round. That was $1750, but was spread out over 4 payments, which helped. This included 2x weekly practices from late August through early November, usually a break until January, then 1x practice and 1x footskills per week until March when the 2x weekly practices pick up again. 8 games in fall and 8 in spring. Any tournaments are extra. She typically does one in the fall ($75-$100) and two in the spring ($100-$150 each). She also played in a club indoor league in the winter, which was extra - I think around $100 for 6 games, no practices. Her uniform is also about $200-$250 (2 game jerseys, 1 practice jersey, 2 pairs shorts to match the 2 jerseys, 2 pairs socks, and a warm-up top. Because she plays so much, I do try to get her a couple of good pairs of cleats each season - maybe $75-$100 because I look for sales.
All this to say... my kids are very average athletes. But they need to move regularly, and the best/only way I've been able to make that happen is through team sports. DD2 LOVES soccer. Like, LOVES it. So we will keep going until I'm broke or she's sick of it, I guess.
DS is 6 - $135 for baseball registration (through a non-profit club). He's going to wear his uniform/cap from last year but originally that was $20 for the jersey and $24 for the hat. I don't remember what pants, socks, belts (red/blue) cost, but he's wearing those from last year. He needs new cleats so another $30. For summer ball there was no real expectation to practice except to show up early for games. Fall ball they practiced a couple of times outside of game time. Unsure what practice will look like this summer, but if it's more than once a week, forget it.
We also have a good amount of baseball/softball practice "stuff" (like a tee, net, home pitch machine) because my H is on rec softball and likes to practice at home or bring it to his team to use. Some of that was $$$ but I figure it's keeping 2/3rds of the house entertained.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Apr 18, 2024 16:36:43 GMT -5
shauni27, I have one friend who cannot be convinced her kid isn’t the most talented kid in all of ever and will be a pro. She’s convinced. Her and her husband have it all planned. With coaches promising them this (at least according to her)
They travel all around the south east with the oldest (13) and the part I judge is that they treat their second child nothing like the first. The second child cannot do anything as far as a sport/gymnastics/dance/horse riding/ under water basket weaving whatever bc there’s no time. They spend 7 days a week on the first kid bc “they’re gonna go pro”. They’ve had the second kid have to cancel whatever plans they had bc the sibling had a last minute game 6 hours away.
I feel bad for their second kid and wonder to myself when that resentment will start on the kid’s part. All the second kid gets to do is be a cheering and adoring fan. “Oh but they LOVE cheering on their sibling”. Oookaaay.
This is why I hate what adults (parents and coaches, leagues and whatever other money grabbers) have done to youth sports.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
I feel bad for their second kid and wonder to myself when that resentment will start on the kid’s part. All the second kid gets to do is be a cheering and adoring fan. “Oh but they LOVE cheering on their sibling”. Oookaaay.
This makes me sad. That kid already hates her sibling. Also, if the parents crave the notoriety so bad, shouldn't they be hedging their bets that the younger kid could also be a sportsball genius? They should be pushing for a Mama Kelce situation.
I feel bad for their second kid and wonder to myself when that resentment will start on the kid’s part. All the second kid gets to do is be a cheering and adoring fan. “Oh but they LOVE cheering on their sibling”. Oookaaay.
This makes me sad. That kid already hates her sibling. Also, if the parents crave the notoriety so bad, shouldn't they be hedging their bets that the younger kid could also be a sportsball genius? They should be pushing for a Mama Kelce situation.
Second kid doesn’t LOVE LOVE LOVVVVVE soccer sports ball so it doesn’t count. There’s no point in having fun if you can’t make a career out of it!!
(Of course they’d never say this but if second kid was mad about soccer I tend to think they’d find a way to have their sports magically fit into the schedule)
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
I think before she got sick and had to quit gymnastics team, DD’s gymnastics was about $6000 a year.
Now each month for DS we pay $200 for ninja and ~$100 for tennis lessons at one place and $60 for tennis lessons at another place. DD is going back to xcel gymnastics in May and it will be $225/month and about $1500 meet and leotard fees for the year. Both kids do their sport at the high school level and they are both cheap!
Post by thebreakfastclub on Apr 18, 2024 17:15:30 GMT -5
I used to work in buying for the largest sporting goods chain in the company. It was well known that parents would make sacrifices to afford sports for their kids. Baseball is an interesting one as it is popular for little kids thru maybe 4th grade, then it has a huge drop off in participation. Lacrosse has picked up a lot of that since it's fast-paced.
I feel bad for their second kid and wonder to myself when that resentment will start on the kid’s part. All the second kid gets to do is be a cheering and adoring fan. “Oh but they LOVE cheering on their sibling”. Oookaaay.
This is BS.
I admit my youngest got dragged around for my oldest basketball tournaments (5 weekends in spring and 6 in fall) but we always brought stuff for him to do, snacks and went out for ice cream or dinner often and he also had his own stuff going on.
The coach would let him join in on skill practices on Fridays all season (free) and my oldest also supported DS2.
Granted it wasn't as frequently but he went to his Karate graduations, demo performances, and his rec games. My DH coached a lot of DS2 teams and DS1 would go and help out as a sort of asst coach for practices.
They are allowed to choose one activity at a time. If they want to do 2, we make that decision based on how much time each activity takes as well as cost.
I would say in an average year we spend around $200 per kid.
A week or so ago, this story was spurring discussion in my fencing circles. It’s about the mental, physical, and financial cost of kids sports, and early specialization and club teams. Seems apropos www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024/04/12/youth-sports-arms-race-athletics
We pay about $1500/year for year-round soccer, which includes professional coaching (not volunteer), practice and game uniforms, and event fees (tournament entry, refs, etc). We do some extra coaching, but more for something to do on school breaks rather than for skill improvement (we have a neighborhood mom who used to play NCAA soccer, and she hosts small group coaching sessions on school holidays, like a mini-camp). All in all it’s not too bad.
Post by firedancer10288 on Apr 18, 2024 20:23:54 GMT -5
DD (16) only played rec basketball, which was like $50/year. She made the high school team as a freshman, but didn’t continue this year (sophomore) because she said the practices every day and some weekends just took the fun out of it. She just likes to play but wasn’t into all the competitiveness.
She’s been doing archery for several years. Lessons were something like $150 every 6 weeks. Now we just pay yearly dues to a club ($60 per year) and she can practice all she wants (twice a week with coaches there). Competitions and tournaments are usually around $50 and she does 5-6 a year.
My sister pays a small fortune for my nephew to play club soccer. Our county recently started sports teams in middle school. I wish there was a way to make it equitable so the kids that can’t afford club teams had an opportunity to play. The school teams are free, but they have try outs and it’s stacked with the kids that play on all the club teams.
We have four kids, who are really into sports. We also live in a climate with most sports year round. I spend…
$300 per kid for 3 kids for fall soccer Probably $1000 a year on DD softball (fall, spring, and all star season) $150-$200 a month on preschool swim lessons $300 x 2 for two seasons of flag football for DD, and another $300 for one fall season for DS1 $250 per 2 older kids for basketball for 2 seasons each per year $200 each for a couple seasons of DS2 arena soccer in winter/spring
Plus $50 per week for DD hitting lessons and then costs for summer sports camps, but that’s as much for childcare as the sports themselves
DD goes to middle school next year and I think her sports costs should go way down when she can do more sports through school.
This is all rec league sports. DD did fall travel softball and that was $250 a month, but we switched back to the town league.
shauni27 , I have one friend who cannot be convinced her kid isn’t the most talented kid in all of ever and will be a pro. She’s convinced. Her and her husband have it all planned. With coaches promising them this (at least according to her)
They travel all around the south east with the oldest (13) and the part I judge is that they treat their second child nothing like the first. The second child cannot do anything as far as a sport/gymnastics/dance/horse riding/ under water basket weaving whatever bc there’s no time. They spend 7 days a week on the first kid bc “they’re gonna go pro”. They’ve had the second kid have to cancel whatever plans they had bc the sibling had a last minute game 6 hours away.
I feel bad for their second kid and wonder to myself when that resentment will start on the kid’s part. All the second kid gets to do is be a cheering and adoring fan. “Oh but they LOVE cheering on their sibling”. Oookaaay.
This is why I hate what adults (parents and coaches, leagues and whatever other money grabbers) have done to youth sports.
What a sad situation. The second kid is going to be so resentful and the pressure on that first kid is so high. It sounds like both kids are losing out just in different ways.
My kids play club soccer (U16 and U14). Their current club is reasonable -- it's about $400 total for the full year (fall season, winter season, spring season). My oldest is looking at new (more serious) clubs and they run closer to $2000-3000 for the season, which seems like WAAAAAYYY too much. They both need a new pair of cleats every year, which run about $100-150.
The 2-3k range is what it is here in FL for a 10 month season. That may or may not include tournament fees, depending on your club. And the uniforms are quite expensive also and can add on many many hundreds. So many hidden costs, which don’t even touch on your travel costs.
The hidden costs of kid activities is what really gets me.
DD did TaeKwonDo for years and that was about $300-400 per month (monthly fees, testing, new belts, etc averaged out). Just her black belt test was $1000+.
Now she's doing rec Lacrosse which is $250 per season plus equipment, which was maybe $50 because we got hand me downs.
My daughter is a year round swimmer and it’s about $400 a month, so about $4800 a year, plus meet entries ($8-11 every time she steps on a block), plus she has 4-5 travel meets, so hotels, food, etc. She just turned 13 so she goes from around $200 for a suit to $400-500 per suit, and can be worn for maybe 2 meets (each meet is 2-3 days, prelim and finals). It’s insane.
My son does XC, $250 for uniforms at school, plus shoes. It’s so cheap. He was playing tennis 4 hours a week and it was $375 a month and we stopped because it wasn’t worth the money.
Post by jeaniebueller on Apr 19, 2024 9:45:50 GMT -5
I live in a MCOL area:
One kid in band: as of last week, his instrument is paid off (woo hoo). Prior to that, it was $66 per month for the last 3 years. No pay to play here but we participate in various fundraisers and have some small expenses, probably $200 total?
My youngest:
Dance (3 classes, a 10 month season): $95 per month. Then uniforms were $75 each, photos were $80, tights for recital were $10, tickets for recital (we pay for relatives): $10 each, program was $20, plus shoes and all that stuff. This is by far our greatest activity expense.
Tennis: $45 for a 6 week season Rec Soccer: $75 for a 8 week season (plus shoes, snacks, etc.)