The Controversial “Pay for Play” 

 I was asked to provide my opinion/input on “Pay for Play” for a discussion at  the United Soccer Coaches convention, focusing the discussion on how to adjust or improve the “Pay for Play” situation in the USA.

Once I started exploring the subject, and drawing on my personal experiences I found myself also writing about soccer in our schools, the importance of bringing sports/life balance to youth soccer and the (sometimes unexpected) positive results that come from it, and how to maximize the opportunities to connect coachable moments with demonstrating and teaching important life lessons. And lastly, real concerns about specialization. Each will find its way on my blog, so please stay tuned!

But today, let’s take a look at the practice preventing the ability to participate in a youth soccer program behind often-times incredibly high fees, dues, major travel, and other costs to the would-be participants and their families. Referred to today as “Pay for Play”.

An informal poll of 16 non-MLS clubs participating in the US Youth Soccer Development Academy revealed that the total outlay for each player can be as high as $6,000 a year, with the average coming out to around $4,000. Then add the costs of travel, hotels and meals.

It’s important to note that the motivation behind the adoption of “Pay for Play” is the belief that we can improve the quality of our domestic soccer programs through exposure to, and the adoption of, international approaches to developing soccer players. That to better train our young soccer players and expose them to higher levels of play requires better coaching, better equipment, and better facilities – all of which cost not a small amount of money.  Assumption is higher cost equal higher results.

The tacit promise being that scholarships to colleges and Universities will one day follow, thanks to all of this, with maybe even a shot at playing at the MLS level and team USA.. This is the typically pursued ROI for this kind of investment.(Note though: Only about 1 out of 1000 high school or premiere players receive (primarily partial) scholarships to an NCAA school.  Even fewer go on to play professionally (>1%) )

The opposing arguments to this practice are many, and include:

  • Lower income families are almost immediately excluded unless some form of scholarships or other financial assistance is available
  • Because of the unfortunate current state of the wealth gap in the US – this also means a large number of minority athletes are excluded
  • One surprise was even in affluent communities a parent could lose a job and income and children are forced out of soccer due to cost.
  • It’s difficult to find definitive, objective evidence that supports the idea that “Pay for Play” is indeed delivering on its promise to produce better soccer players
  • “Pay for Play” also mandates a focus on winning above else – potentially sacrificing a healthy life/school/athletics balance and a focus on helping our young soccer players develop into well-rounded people (not just soccer specialists!)
  • And “Pay for Play” can cause players to be play/train too much (overplay or train) if it’s not coordinated with other playing opportunities /coaches and injuries and burnout can result.
  • And most importantly: That “Pay for Play” seems to mandate the giving up of simply having fun learning, playing, and developing within the game!

Positives: Pay to Play does offer a greater intensity and level of play and opportunity to play outside of one’s area.  And offer professional/ certified coaches. Trainers and sometimes pro-club training programs.

The core flaw in the “Pay for Play” concept is that it looks to Europe and other international soccer programs as a guiding model. But there’s a significant and fundamental difference between the way US structures youth soccer programs, and how youth programs are structured internationally.

What is that difference?

The concept of formal High School soccer programs in our high schools is unique to the US. We are the only country in the world that has it. We stress education and grades first to develop the entire scholar athlete. High School soccer offers athletes the ability to continue to pursue their love of the game, exposing them to higher levels of play and greater technical demands, and all without gaining the experience behind pay walls.

Why is this an important distinction? Because most US youth soccer programs’ skills training, curriculums, and goal setting all work backwards from there – with a focus on removing as many barriers to participation as possible, to allow young athletes and their families as frictionless pathway as a possible upon which to build their soccer experience.

Most of our communities have club soccer (recreational, travel, premier leagues – all run by volunteers) which act as a feeder system for our local middle and high schools, for those young athletes who want to continue their soccer journey in the U12+ age groups. They also offer largely unrestricted opportunities (save for try-outs at the travel/premiere levels) for all those who just enjoy playing the game and want to play for fun’s sake. This system benefits the development of players because each person develops at different times in the process and the quality player has an opportunity to rise to the top. The desire to discover the possibilities if one decides to and step outside themselves is available- become someone beyond what you think you are—make a difference for oneself and the others..

The majority of these community-based programs require little in the way of personal expenditures outside of covering what largely amounts to the costs of a uniform, ball and a decent pair of cleats/shin guards. The majority of costs incurred by the local soccer association (field costs, ref costs, trainers, coaching directors etc.) are typically offset by soliciting sponsorships from local businesses, as well as fund raising efforts, and other means like possibly operating on-field concessions.

The driving argument behind “Pay for Play” – that these programs simply aren’t good enough and won’t produce high enough caliber players – is dangerous, misguided, and frankly wrong. We can do better. We have to do better.

Without digging into the specific numbers (there are a number of great articles out there that do just this, here’s a viewpoint from a soccer agent . https://www.everybodysoccer.com/even-the-goalkeepers-like-to/2017/10/16/the-current-state-of-youth-soccer-in-america just fundamentally “Pay for Play” goes against the heart of what’s supposed to make our country so great: the ability to pursue success (however you might define ‘success’) freely, without being artificially handicapped by discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or financial means.

For example. Our public school system is mandated to be open to all children, and to offer each child free and ready access to needed resources to help them pursue and achieve their goals. This includes things like reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches, tutoring and additional education support systems. And unfettered access to available arts and athletics programs.

Is the execution of the system perfect? No. There’s plenty of work to be done there. But the ideals and vision behind the system are. And even with the many bumps in the road, every child has access to provided scholastic, artistic, and athletic opportunities. Period.

Comparably, USA Youth’s Soccer Academy programs are mostly available to those who can pay.  Coupled with a lack of scholarships and financial assistance programs, many promising athletes from lower income backgrounds are not just denied access to the programs. But in the same breath they’re effectively told that because they lack access, they’ll never truly be able to compete with the athletes are can afford to participate.

This push for exclusivity is underscored by the common practice of these organizations’ trying to enforce the idea that their athletes “only play for us”. They discourage play for their high school teams. The Academy programs actually tell the players not to play for their high schools. This seems to have little to do with player development, as it does to trying to establish a monopoly on a young player’s playing opportunities.

This of course translates into USA Youth Soccer’s ability to make more money. It’s not about soccer, but money.

Youth soccer must not be about driving revenue.

Exploring Solutions- adjusting to the American way- to help create a dialogue-and improve the way we provide soccer in the USA

We have a TON of expertise and some 30 Million players out there along with hundred thousand of coaches, association volunteers, and more.  Tapping into this expertise to find different ways to reshape our youth development and league programs is essential. Pooling resources also helps to drive economies of scale. So, why don’t we sit down and talk to each other? Respect our system and each other and work within it not against it.

 Example: Pair MLS players, foreign coaches and A licensed player coaches with local community clubs and high schools to function as technical directors and coaches for both entities. Draw funding from both USA Soccer and MLS, all with the goal of elevating the entire program and the volunteer coaches along with the middle and high school coaches and players.

An American way solution to realign/adjust the Pro teams /Academy approach:

An American way solution to realign/adjust the Pro teams /Academy approach: have these certified player coaches part volunteer and a paid advisor. KEY is to find a way to allow the professional/A licensed coaches to make a decent living and do what they do best. The professional coaches involved in the Academy and MSL efforts could give back as paid and volunteer time when needed to improve club and school play of soccer—running skill /training clinics for players and coaches, by assisting coaches of club and school teams and be the new paid Technical Director or coaches of a local club and/or both local school programs. Giving back to develop the players and game in America. Work your magic within the American system rather than disrupt it. Making a way to provide scholarship to those who can’ afford the local programs and offerings to make available to everyone.  Stressing techniques, skills and more open and creative ways to play the game. Making it fun again.

By improving the local programs with the very best coaches would also help cut out the 2 hours average of travel to play for an Academy program and devote more time to study and grades.

Cutting sports out of schools and other low cost or free programs is taking away from the kids and the possibility of providing them opportunities to improve their learning (grades), socialize, develop relationships, and learn important life skills.”

Sports should be free to encourage to total development of the youth in America: Develop mind, body and spirit.

Reward for creating the 1%

Another idea would be creating incentives by creating a system if a player is given a professional contract to play that the Club and Technical advisor is awarded the fee from that professional club. This will reward and at the same time influx needed money to improve the Clubs programing and efforts.

 Creating opportunity for being seen and gaining an opportunity for a scholarship.

 Coordination of Local showcases with steps up to Regional showcases

The professional advisors could join together to run Showcases with their clubs and high school coaches in their area to help create and run LOCAL showcase for their players. From these local showcases players are chosen to attend USA soccer run regional showcases – to be put on appropriate age group teams and play in front of college coaches—this regional approach would help all the coaches to cut down on the number of showcases they need to travel to and attend. It would automatically, showcase not an entire team but the outstanding players who should be showcased. Saving parents money and time and maximizing the effort for everyone. Everyone wins!

Next up for my blog – the advantages offered by High School Soccer.

Coach Ed Weil

United Soccer Coaches