It is hard to look past the cost, but club sports have many advantages. They encourage teamwork, build skill level in a competitive setting, and teach time management. They are a huge commitment and take up hours out of every day. But for the right child, they are hours of endless fun, learning and practicing new skills. Club sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, and swimming.  Club sports are an enrichment of school sports. They offer a level of play and competitiveness that school funded sports simply can’t achieve.

There are also many drawbacks to playing club sports. Club sports are extremely expensive, and many families aren’t able to afford the steep cost. For example, a season of volleyball for school costs approximately 100 to 200 dollars, but club volleyball can range from 700 to 1500 dollars a season, depending on travel and the club. It’s also not just the initial price of the season, but travel expenses as well. Many weekends are eaten up by traveling to other cities, and even states for tournaments. And also hotels stays are not paid for by the club. Another thing that pulls people away from club sports, is the time.  Club sports usually have far away tournaments, many weekly practices, and other activities. Although, a couple clubs aren’t too competitive, and mostly compete, and practice in Milwaukee and it’s vicinity.

Club sports are a great opportunity for children and teens to improve their skills in a competitive setting, but if you or your child does not really enjoy the sport enough to spend hours at a time improving their skill, club sports are probably not the best fit. There are plenty of other ways to improve at sports that don’t cost an arm and a leg.