Alternative to pay-to-play clubs (idea)

[Tommy de JesusParticipant]

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well today. I just wanted to get your feedback on an idea that has been in my mind for a few weeks now.

Idea: Since the pay-to-play model seems to exclude kids that may have the skills but not the financial resources, does anybody know of any soccer club (anywhere in the US) that is NOT pay-to-play model?

I am thinking of a model like charter or magnet schools but for soccer (not sure what they may be called in other states). These are schools that are not public/state schools, but are still free. They usually specialize in something, science, match, art, music, etc. and most of the time kids need to take an exam to be accepted. I am thinking maybe a similar model for a soccer club. Obviously need to figure out funding for the club/school, but assuming this is taken care of, do you think this may be an alternative vs. the pay-to-play model?

I am thinking two possible implementations:

a) the “simplest” one is just a soccer club that is free (NOT pay-to-play), but obviously is limited on how many kids it accepts, most likely one team per age group, based on REAL try-outs (real meaning kids getting cut, not every kid making it to the team). Since it is free, lots of demand, but you want to try and work with the best players you can find.

b) the more elaborate idea is a school that specializes in soccer. Kids take regular classes, math, english, science, etc., but the focus/specialization is soccer. Again, limited availability based on try-outs. Obviously this will require more funding to pull it off (building, teachers, etc.)

Do you think this will work in the US soccer environment? Any feedback on how to possibly go about this idea?

Thanks,

Tommy

 

[Brendan GradyParticipant]

Tommy,

This isn’t exactly what you’re talking about but thought you’d be interested: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2015/02/charter_schools_ceo_incorporates_soccer_just_as_nyc_fc_looks_to_citys_youth.php#more

 

-Brendan

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

Tommy, it’s an idea worth investigating IMHO! Had never even considered it. Have got a closed shop up here (North of the border) where everyone is accepted provided there are enough volunteerS (does not include the 3 more competitive levels). So in my case the tryouts would have to take place before the YSA opened up for registration. That way those kids who didn’t make it would be able to fall back on the other YSA to play.

[Rich DeFabritusParticipant]

I have thought about this for nearly the entire time I’ve been a youth coach (10 years).  My reasoning was more socioeconomic – something I don’t want to get to deep into here, but fair to say youth sports is a great way for children to find acceptance in social circles.
My idea was to recruit local businesses to sponsor a team to cover the expenses of playing – fosters a stronger sense of community and a team that everyone could rally behind.

Personally, I’ve lived a charmed life.  I’m by no means a choir boy, but I was able to get my life in order and succeed beyond what I might have ever imagined.  I feel there is a duty to “pay it forward” – I can’t do much, but I do think I can coach.  As coaches, we have an incredible responsibility and influence over children, but it’s also an opportunity to teach life lessons through athletics.  In the 10 years I’ve coached, there is no greater feeling than watching a child smile when they have achieved a stated goal, or knowing that they return to play for you, year after year.

This is a great idea – I don’t know if it would fly en masse in the US, but I do think if you have a plan, and it’s managed well, it could succeed.  Good luck!

[LiParticipant]

After two years of experiment with low cost/no cost select club soccer, I’ll move back to pay-to-play club next season. The majority of our players were from recreational league, with a few from Hispanic league. Player only need to pay $80-$160 per season vs $500-$800 a season for other teams.  I donated my coach salary back to team and with couple of business sponsorship, we are able to keep the cost the same as recreational league.

We started at the bottom division of state select league at U11, then move up to division I the next season, play the top premier division starting U12 season. The top teams of our state play in neighboring state league. So premier division of our state is 2nd level.

We could not attract top players. 1) team has no track record, nor big club name; 2) other club/team offers scholarships to top players anyway. With cost so low, some players/parents do not care that much, i.e. commitment issues. Training attendance has been a constant challenge. Some players do not have family support, some parents do not or could not watch them play. Transportation to training and game was another challenge.

For next season U13, we’ll play 11 v 11, we just could not get enough players to stay independent. I’ll move to a bigger club and team will be merged with their B team. I can help the money issue, but not be able to deal with other social/family issues a player may have.

I tried for 2 years to find an alternative to pay-to-play system, along the way may have helped a few players to play highest level they can play, now have to face the reality and be back to the system.

 

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

And there’s the rub, Li. Pretty discouraging, but thanks for sharing openly the tough road you’ve hoed. Food for thought for sure.

[Michael PerkinsParticipant]

With low pay structures there really has to be an element of a team community and commitment to that community.  When we first started our team we ran into he commitment issue and it really came down to an agreement by our parents that we would find ways to get the kids to every training that they could possibly attend.  Of course we have players who miss for the normal things that cannot be helped.  But we eliminated the unnecessary absences for the most part with that.  It has also helped having the group chat feature that we have because we are able to call absentees out in the group chat and they then are accountable to the group.  But Li you are right, until we got that buy in we were in the same boat as your team.  Limited financial commitment equated to limited emotional and physical investment in the team.

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

Something about this whole issue is bothering me. We’ve got the right idea (desiring a non-pay-to-play model) & approach (thanks to Gary & Brian), but I’m not sure we’ve got the right mindset. Soccer/Footy is the poor man’s sport in most of the world & everyone understands it – even if those who don’t like the game – because it’s deeply engrained in the culture. Here, outside the World Cup cycle, it’s a recreational afterthought for the masses & a road to college and/or a professional career only for the top 15% of society who can afford it. In the West, specifically in Europe, the media & sponsors are all-in. Here it’s more the exception than the rule, especially if you don’t have a vested interest in MLS.

There are surely more factors involved here that could be listed, but it boils down to this: if we want to avoid the pay-to-play model in North America, we’ve got to be able to sell our product/services better. Good intentions won’t pay the bills & people won’t know what the difference is between ‘jungle ball’ & the real Beautiful Game unless we educate them. Somehow we’ve got to come up with a business/operational model that covers the bills for, among other things, parent education, coach education, equipment, field rental and a TD whose résumé you can promote on your website, and at least one person who can constantly work an effective social media campaign to drum up support/awareness.

I’m not convinced there’s a cookie cutter type of solution that will serve all markets or submarkets, but there has got to be a general idea of how we can go about this for the benefit of everyone involved in this forum. So if you’ve got any ideas, please let me/us know.

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