Playing club soccer is not cheap, no matter how you slice it, so understanding where the money is going can help you plan and accept what you are paying for. There are generally three direct costs and a number of indirect costs associated with playing club soccer, these are all soccer fees. There are two general models that clubs use with regards to these direct costs. Option 1: Roll all of the direct costs into the Club fees; Option 2: A more a la carte approach breaking out the club and team fees and the uniforms separately. You may get some insight into a club based on how they allocate their fees, but this is not always determinative. The discussion below breaks the direct costs out into three categories, but understand individual Clubs may do things differently based on their business model or location.
Direct Costs
Club Fees
When parents think about Club Soccer, they typically think about the “Club Fees” as the Club Fees are typically the largest fees, must be paid earlier than others, and are the first fees that a player sees. In nearly all instances, club fees include the following:
- Player Registration in the Soccer Governing Body (i.e. US Club Soccer, Cal South, etc.)
- Team Registration for league(s) the team will compete in during the Club Year (ECNL, SoCal, Coast Soccer League, Regional Soccer League, etc.) (depending on your location, the team may be schedule to participate in as many as 4 different leagues during a club year
- Coach/Training Fees for practices and games
- Field and Equipment Rental
- Insurance (player and field)
- Optional items that are sometimes included
- The Club’s Tournament
- Combined training sessions
- Scouting opportunities
It is important that you understand the costs associated with playing youth soccer so that there are no unmet expectations heading into the agreement. There is nothing wrong with asking what you are receiving for your payment.
Team Fees
Team fees are those fees that are specific to the team that your player is currently on. Every team will have an annual plan for its development and need to pay for those costs. Team Fees typically include tournament fees, ref fees, first aid kits, coach supplies and hotel costs, and other miscellaneous fees specific to your team. A budget should be created at the start of the year so that everyone can plan accordingly.
Below is an example budget for a younger team. While there are less line items, there are also less players, so the cost does not go down exponentially.
An example budget is below for a high level high school age team.
Uniforms
Plan on investing in uniforms every two years, once you are on the club cycle. This is a necessary cost as the teams need to be outfitted properly with uniforms that fit. Some parents get upset with their club as they think that the club is constantly changing uniforms, this is often not the case, as it is the uniform manufacturers that discontinue the uniforms, forcing the club and therefore the parents to buy new uniforms. A professional look and uniformity for the team is important to confidence for the players presentation of club.
Indirect Costs
The indirect costs vary significantly based on the team you are on and your choice of gear and equipment.
Team based:
- Travel
- Hotel
- Video
- Meals on the road
Individual Based:
- Cleats
- Shinguards
- Warming layers
- Water Bottles
- Private Training
Conclusion
It is important for transparency in the fee portion of youth soccer, a relationship built on a foundation that does not include the full disclosure of costs is doomed to fail. Before you sign, talk with the coach to make sure you understand the costs! Check out our post on fundraising here to cut down on some of those costs and don’t forget to check out our other articles on youth soccer here.
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