Soccer should be the cheapest sport to play. In an ideal world, all you need is a ball.
But what if you want to really go someplace with it? What if you want to play in college?
Sure, you still need a ball (cleats, shin guards, and a uniform)…but, typically, you also need to join a club. Club athletics are often looked at as a way to get athletic exposure to colleges that school sports can’t guarantee. School sports are funded by schools, whereas club sports are strictly funded out-of- pocket.
The main appeal of club soccer, or any club sport, is the prospect of playing in college. College athletics have enticed athletes (and their parents) for generations, as it’s often the sign of great athletic achievement, and can sometimes come with a hefty scholarship.
According to Soccerwire.com, 70 percent of players in the 2021 Women’s College Cup came from the Elite Club National League (ECNL). That’s about 15 of the 22 players on the field.
Per an ECNL Fee Chart from 2022, here’s the breakdown for the U16-U17* (boys):
Club Fee – $3,075
Club ‘Commitment’ Fee – $ 450
August-February Monthly Payments – $ 375 ($ 6,150 total)
In total, that’s just shy of ten grand ($ 9,675) for the club alone which doesn’t include the travel, uniforms, and equipment costs.
*Note: The cost changes between the age groups and, coincidentally, it is most expensive to play in the ECNL during peak college recruitment ages (15-17). See pricing chart here.
For a point of reference, the closest ECNL team is in Colonie, NY (approx. 1.5 hours from New Hartford) and at that they only participate in the girls ECNL. The closest for both genders is in Elma, NY (3 hours from New Hartford).
How could this possibly be fair to those who can not afford these copious fees?
The answer is simple- it’s not.
For those who cannot play in an ECNL or other league (Girls Academy, National Academy League, Development Player League, etc), many schools give students the opportunity to play sports for the school.
New Hartford has often been noted for their athletics, with many teams succeeding at the sectional and even state levels.
The Athletic Code of Conduct states that New Hartford athletes have, “an opportunity to engage in physical activity and competition while learning valuable life-time lessons including discipline, responsibility, honesty, self-control, dedication, sportsmanship and respect for others.” At its core, the athletics here at New Hartford help students develop their skills while maintaining a competitive edge.
There are still costs associated with school sports, as some equipment is not covered by the athletic department. That being said, uniforms are supplied by the school as is transportation to and from away games.
Sophomore student athlete Mikayla Jaros helped shed some light on the debate. Mikayla plays soccer for New Hartford as well as her club team, Coliseum Soccer Club. Coliseum participates in the Development Player League (DPL), which is a national league that holds annual showcases all across the country.
Mikayla shared that she feels during her club season “there’s a bigger push to win,” explaining that she feels an immense pressure upon her and her teammates to succeed. She also mentioned the chance for college exposure is exciting, but can also add stress into the already stressful game. She noted that it’s nice to play with a team she’s been with ever since she was little- something that school soccer, she feels, doesn’t offer.
Another wrinkle to the issue of school vs. club sports Mikayla acknowledged was the parents. At her club games, she noticed how brutally rude some parents are. She brought up instances where parents from the opposing team were yelling their opinions about one of her teammate’s physicality. The parents felt her teammate was being too physically aggressive, remarking “Go play with the boys!” This feeds into the preconceived notion that girls shouldn’t play as physically as boys, remarks which no athlete should endure.
Mikayla said she doesn’t hear these rude comments from parents at school games.
At the recent Milken Institute Global Conference, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino sums it up perfectly. Gianni stated “football’s [soccer’s] growth in the US would be boosted if many American children did not have to pay to play” Club teams are a necessary evil in the growth of soccer, but that doesn’t mean they should only be available for the financially elite.
