Club soccer?

Peggy - posted on 10/06/2010

Having 2 daughters who play club soccer, I have learned that one of the most sought after players is a good keeper. They are hard to come by and are like gold! Something to think about, many big clubs will allow a player to practice with them in the off season and this gives them a chance to check out potential players before try-outs and gives you an idea of how the club works. Great thing to take advantage of..talk to the parents and get a true in-sight to how the club works. Clubs often list a cost, but there are often hidden fees. Good Luck!

Melissa - posted on 11/13/2009

My son plays soccer. He hase played rec soccer since he was five years old then when we moved up to U-8 rec soccer was asked by his coach to come play U-10 rec soccer. Then this fall he wanted to tryout for U-10 select soccer. He made the team and he is only eight years old. He has learned alot. The cost is $200 a season and plus fees out of state tournments and tavel. We got sponsors for our team it helps on some of cost.

Annette - posted on 08/05/2009

I am a Rep Soccer Manager for boys u17, I have no sons on the team but enjoy watching their progress, and firmly beleive that playing for a club and team is such a life experience I encourage all boys and girls to play soccer. It is also a cheaper sport to register in.

Karie - posted on 06/06/2009

My 14yr old daughter plays for our local club and loves it! She has played various parks/rec and AYSO teams in past, as well as for her school teams. With club soccer she is more at her skill level. She would play soccer even if it was a bunch of little kids, she loves it so much, but there came a time when she was getting discouraged when every team she started on were mainly newbies. We would explain to her that it was a good opportunity for her to share her experience, but that only lasted so long. She now has an area where she can go and play hard, competitively and she loves it! Our local club, Blount United Soccer Club in TN, is great and has been able to keep their fee's down. We pay only $375 a season, plus tournie fees and uniforms. We get 8 league games and a weekly skills season. It has been great! Another one of the clubs in our areas is around that much EACH month! I too feel like you don't always have to pay the highest amount to get good quality! My daughter continues to play for her school, but in the Spring she is back at the club!

Stephanie - posted on 02/26/2009

Something that I learned when my daughter started playing club soccer is that they aren't "goalies"  they are called "keepers" or "goal keepers".  Having a trainer working specifically with the keeper is important.  We learned that the hard way.  There are also some great camps available that are specifically geared for keeper training. 

I couldn't agree more about the cost.  A higher dollar amount does not equal better training or a better team. 

There is also a program called ODP.  Which stands for Olympic Development Program.  They have one in every state.  They actually start pretty young.  But it's a place to gather information and know what you are working towards. 

Shawn - posted on 02/16/2009

Thanks girls, good advice! Her coach from 2 years ago in Rec soccer stared a team last year, bu she didn't want to do it, but then after some crazy stuff that happened during Rec this year she asked if Brian could come watch her, so he and the Asst coach came and wanted her to come play for them right away. They are still a really young team, but I think they will come together. We paid a $200 buy in and $60 a month, so not unreasonable at all. They have a goalie trainer for her as well at no cost to us. Our sponsor is great and bought the girls their warm ups and bags and we don't pay anything out of pocket for tourneys or anything else. So far I'm really pleased with the whole set up. :)

Jennifer - posted on 02/09/2009

I have to agree with Shelly- cost does not equal quality- watch the practices and check the coaches licenses. 

Shelly - posted on 01/29/2009

My kids ahave been playing club soccer in Erie, PA for 10 years now.  If your child truly loves the sport then it is a wonderful learning experience.  Word to the wise though...  The more expensive the club is does not mean you will get better training.  My kids played for the Erie Admirals for a few years, but were not developing as players.  I paid $200.00 a month for them to play, not to mention all the travel and tourney fees, and they were showing no change.  We moved them to a different club, that was only $25.00 a month and they have grown so much.  Their favorite thing to do is play against their old Admirals teams and beat the snot out of them.  LOL  Last time they did it was a 9-0 win for our team.  Don't let any club tell you they are the best because they have their own facilities and they cost more... It just isn't true!