Have a plan and a budget to cover your fees.
The good news, soccer is not nearly as expensive as football or horse-back riding (you don’t have to buy, board or feed a large animal). The bad news, travel soccer can cost a few thousand dollars a year, between dues, travel costs and extras.
How do you pay for that? By implementing a budget and executing a plan. Most clubs offer payment plans. We use the plan, add the monthly amount to our fixed expenses and rock with it. For our club, the payment is broken up over 10 months and there is a $250 player deposit due upon agreement to join the travel team.
If the payments are too high, ask if your club offers financial assistance to help offset fees. You may be asked to provide paperwork, usually in the form of the past year’s tax statements, because the assistance is need-based; in other words, you must show or explain your need for financial assistance. If you club does not offer aid, perhaps you can lead the charge on that effort? Here’s a sample of what our club requires.
Other options include asking the club if you can work there in trade for the fees, cutting back on expenses, seeking support from other family members (maybe in the form of an early holiday or birthday gift), soliciting help from your religious institution or holding an online fundraiser (note: some sites charge a fee).
From a teachable-moment standpoint, creating a budget may allow you the chance to include your player in introductory talks about household finances and the importance of setting – and sticking to – a budget. Perhaps he may take on chores as a way to “earn” toward his goal of playing. You might also stress how important it is that he take good care of his kit (and perhaps avoid dumping red-colored sports drinks on white articles of clothing).
Other things to consider:
- Is travel for you/your player and does it fit your current lifestyle?
- Will you and your player benefit from it?
- Will it cause too much of a financial burden?
- Can you commit to the full year (fall and spring)?
- Can you cancel (what are the rules)?
If you have reservations, then it’s time to have a family (or parent) discussion. You, of course, want your player to have all the opportunities available, but you also have to be comfortable with the decision. And sometimes that means making choices for the greater good of the family and there’s nothing wrong with that. If two seasons of rec is a better fit, then do that. Maybe supplement rec with summer camp.