Alan Maher
I was sitting in my favorite soccer shop next to a grandmother type with the grand daughter who at the age of five needed new and expensive soccer shoes. “Had she been playing long?” I asked. Well, yes more than a year. She was on a travel team.
I expressed amazement at playing travel ball at that age. She explained that all her children started young and played for a long time. My own son started late and played four years for William and Mary. When parents mention a long time and leave off the high school or college playing days, I figure that the kids packed it in at about the age of 13!
I told the grandmother that I did not like highly organized soccer for such young kids. She looked at me like I had two heads. I stopped the conversation.
Second story
Then I got a poster in the mail about, get this, full service travel league for u9, u8, u7 kids. “The same as the league the older kids play in. kids can travel tournaments, compete in a local league and enter regional competitions.”
New facilities for cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. Wow, burn them out even younger!
Is it me or what is going on? Travel teams for kids of seven?
What is the cost to the parent for all of this?
When my kids were very young they were involved in figure skating. The instructor came to me one day and said, “Move ahead for big money or drop out.” We dropped out.
My kids do not hate me for this. They can still ice skate and enjoy the activity. Period.