Just like almost everything else in parenting, the world of travel sports for kids is controversial. Proponents say they build character, create lasting bonds with other families, and prepare kids for athletic opportunities in high school and beyond they wouldn’t otherwise be given. The critics have a laundry list of objections: travel sports take too much time, too much money, and are really “only for the parents”.
As a mom who is fully immersed in the world of travel sports, I can say with certainty that both sides have valid points. Travel sports do take a TON of time, a TON of money and motivations should be evaluated constantly. But for our family, the benefits and memories we are making with our daughter are worth the sacrifices.
Are you considering travel sports for your child but aren’t sure they are right for your family? Here are some considerations when making the decision:
The Right Time to Start Travel Sports
Starting younger is not always better; it depends on the kid. Some kids are ready for twice weekly practices and long weekend tournaments at 8 years old, and some aren’t. If your child isn’t emotionally ready for such a huge commitment, it doesn’t mean they won’t be in a year or two. On the flip side, you shouldn’t wait too long to try travel sports because the skill gap widens quickly as kids get older for those who are putting in hours a week of work vs. those who are just playing casually.
If your child plays a sport recreationally and is begging for more games, wants to practice on their own, and generally shows an interest in the sport outside of their designated rec season, you may want to look into travel sports. Ask around in your community or search social media for organizations holding tryouts. Attending teams’ open practices and/or tryouts can also give you an idea of your child’s skill level compared to their peers.
The Cost of Travel Sports
The cost of travel sports is high, in both time and money. Before signing up your kid with a team or organization, do your research. Some questions to ask:
- What are the monthly dues and what do they cover?
- What are the uniform costs?
- How much out of town travel does the team do? (You should factor in hotel and meal costs, gas, etc)
- Are there fundraising opportunities/requirements to offset some of the costs?
- How many practices and games per week and how long do they last?
- Are private lessons required outside of team practices? (these cost both time and money)
The Impact on the Whole Family
Since travel sports take up so much of the family’s resources, everyone is impacted. Many parents have to divide and conquer when it comes to activities, especially with more than one child in the family. Some questions to ask:
- Do we have the time and energy to commit to travel sports without neglecting our other kids’ needs and wants?
- Do we (everyone in the family) like this sport enough to spend a significant amount of our time in uncomfortable situations (heat, cold, late nights, etc)? My personal feeling is if you don’t love it, you’re going to hate it.
- Are we willing to sacrifice things like family vacations that aren’t at a field, gym, or ballpark, attending church every Sunday, and family dinners several nights a week?
Things NOT to Expect
Travel sports certainly can help a child develop athletically, build valuable social and leadership skills, and be a lot of fun. But many parents set unrealistic expectations when they dive in. Some things you should NOT expect to come from your child participating in travel sports:
- A college scholarship. If this is your child’s goal and you support that, by all means, do what you can to achieve this. But also, be realistic: statistically, very few high school athletes go on to compete in college, and even less get scholarships. DO NOT look at your monetary investment in travel sports as “pre-paying” for college because you think it will get your child a scholarship. You’ll likely be disappointed.
- Making the team/ Playing time at a preferred position. Travel sports are also called “select” for a reason. Teams have try-outs and many kids don’t make the team. And if they do, they may not play the position they played in rec because someone else beats them out for that spot. Positions and playing time are earned, not given.
- 100% enthusiasm from your kid at all times. Travel sports is a HUGE commitment for a child. There will be times your child doesn’t want to go to practice, will complain about their coach or teammates, and has a bad attitude about waking up early for a tournament on a Saturday. It’s hard not to take this personally because of all the sacrifices you are making. This doesn’t mean your child doesn’t love their sport or team, and they should be allowed the freedom to be honest about their feelings in a particular moment.
Travel sports are hugely popular, but they aren’t for every family. If you are considering this for your child, be sure you are honest about why you are doing it and how it will affect everyone in your household.
