So when does it end?

In response to the popular topic "So Really, What's This Select Thing Gonna Cost Me?" I pose the question SO WHEN DOES IT END?

When do you as a parent tell your darling princess that her select journey has ended?

With the assumption (and for simplified calculation) that year 1 of select will cost each player's family $5,000 (lumping in player fees, kits, travel, gas, skills, etc; which is likely conservative). And then assuming that the "cost" will increase each subsequent year with inflation and other increases by 5% (I will also NOT add in being on an ECNL team and add all the extra travel and expense there).

Year 1=$5,000 (5th Grade)
Year 2=$5,250 (6th Grade)
Year 3=$5,500 (7th Grade)
Year 4=$5,775 (8th Grade) Possible ECNL and other "National" events
Year 5=$6,100 (9th Grade) College soccer camps, ODP, etc
Year 6=$6,400 (10th Grade) Ongoing
Year 7=$6,700 (11th Grade) Ongoing
Year 8=$7,100 (12th Grade) Ongoing

Best case cost is $40,000 ($5,000 for 8 years) with my example of $47,825.

So what level does your DD have to play at to justify this type of expense? Is D3 or lower enough? When does the "dream" get put on hold and this cost get pushed into a college fund? At $5K do some even start if the level is too low.

I have heard of high schoolers ending the journey and dream and playing just for their school. Focus turns to grades (which is where they need to be ultimately) and getting into a college and playing soccer is for the love and fun of it. Tough decisions ahead....

There isn't a single answer to this.  It all depends on how much you can afford, and how bad she wants to play.

It's been said here many times, there really is no way to "justify" this expense from a financial standpoint.  If it's a college scholarship you're looking for, invest it somewhere else.

My dd did it because she loved the game and had a ball at her feet since she could barely walk.  As a parent you have to decide when you can't afford it, then there are other options available that will still allow her to play at lower select levels, or rec levels.

For us, we could afford it and it has worked out well for her.  She played LHGCL, then ECNL, and loved high school soccer, and has moved on to playing in college.  She has friends, though that dropped club soccer (some for financial reasons, some just were tired of playing) and only played high school.

There is no one size fits all answer here.  Good luck!

$45,000?? Actually seems about right for 8 years.

The first question is if she were not playing soccer, then what? Basketball? Piano? Dance? TV?? God forbid the Mall?? It's not a zero sum game. Everything costs something.

What do I get for $45K?? As Ballhead said, no one size fits. For us...

I got 8 years of fantastic entertainment. 400 games, lots of drama, happiness, cheers, sadness, challenges and frustration. And that's just dealing with the parents... I also made lifelong friends and spent literally thousands of hours with my kids enjoying something we both love. I got a supremely confident, athletic, healthy, disciplined and self aware young lady in my home. She developed lifelong skills for eating healthy, working out, working hard and a love of competition. In those 8 years, she has been challenged in her own words, "greater than virtually any friend I have at school", developed a sense of accomplishment that carries over to all things in life "if I can make it through that workout, I can do anything." and teams full of friends that will last a lifetime. "Dad, I'm closer to EVERY girl on my team than ANY girl at school."

What is it worth?? Priceless.

DDdad wrote:$45,000??  Actually seems about right for 8 years.  

The first question is if she were not playing soccer, then what?  Basketball? Piano? Dance? TV??  God forbid the Mall??  It's not a zero sum game.  Everything costs something.

What do I get for $45K??  As Ballhead said, no one size fits.  For us...

I got 8 years of fantastic entertainment.  400 games, lots of drama, happiness, cheers, sadness, challenges and frustration.  And that's just dealing with the parents...  I also made lifelong friends and spent literally thousands of hours with my kids enjoying something we both love.  I got a supremely confident, athletic, healthy, disciplined and self aware young lady in my home.  She developed lifelong skills for eating healthy, working out, working hard and a love of competition.  In those 8 years, she has been challenged in her own words, "greater than virtually any friend I have at school", developed a sense of accomplishment that carries over to all things in life "if I can make it through that workout, I can do anything." and teams full of friends that will last a lifetime.  "Dad, I'm closer to EVERY girl on my team than ANY girl at school."

What is it worth??  Priceless.  

Love this. Thank you.

+1^^^^

For us? It's the time when she can't keep up with her homework for Pre Ap (or AP) courses AND competitive soccer. Then it's back to rec or some other sport.

First two replies sum it up perfectly.